How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Tools To Improve Your Everyday Life
How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Tools To Improve Your Everyday Life
Blog Article
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for an extended period you can ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider.
A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports.
Find a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms.
Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out a different one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve.
Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life.
Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation.
Right to choose
If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis.
It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to support.
You should also ask your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned as female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful if you have a family member or acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.
They will inform them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to read more refer you back.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time.
It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.