How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to work. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child may have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for a diagnosis. Based on the location of your home it could be free of charge or you may be required pay a small amount. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with Iam Psychiatry can be a stressful experience particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to know that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand why you or your child might have trouble staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also consider how long your child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they impact your life. They will also consider whether your your child's issues could be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking another one. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
After you've been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms. the specialist should carry out an interview, questionnaire, and medical examination. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They will also determine if you or your child has experienced similar symptoms before, so they can compare the information. This is important since only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are several NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD evaluations. You'll have to request your GP to recommend one of these. You will probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your school or work records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also want to assess you for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult child or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor the medication will initially come from the NHS. The private clinician should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement on shared care, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England, you have the legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your area. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. You can ask your GP for a referral
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD, the first thing to do is talk to your GP. While they may not be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and yourself. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there's guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed up this process.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether they meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may require a diagnosis such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol use out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you'll be able to get ADHD medication through the NHS from your GP. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people prefer a mix of medications and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you aren't sure which provider to choose or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, you can make use of alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which offers a great guide on how to do this.
4. Book an appointment with an expert
In the UK there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private providers will allow you to book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, how they impact you and your daily life. They might also ask for details about your medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not know a physician who will refer you to one. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis quicker. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to find additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that can affect your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more issues as you age and confront more problems. This is especially the case if you did not receive the proper support when you were a child.
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis if you're a member of a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.