How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you think that you might have ADHD. They should consider your concerns seriously and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. Due to medication shortages and delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk with your doctor
GPs are often a first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They will be attentive and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in it could be free or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to remember that approximately 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself may struggle to stay focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also take into consideration how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out an alternative one. It isn't easy to ask for a referral however it's well worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you have been referred. The GP will request you or your child to provide specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, questionnaire, and a medical exam. 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 check if you or your child experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is crucial as a diagnosis of ADHD is only done by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Make an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialist centres which can perform ADHD evaluations. You will need to ask for a referral from your GP. You'll likely have to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your physician will assess your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may ask to see your school or work records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about how you were as when you were a child. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not just a behavior issue It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning, and may want to check for other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
If you're an adult or a child you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that in the event that you're diagnosed privately, you will initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinics is likely to be able assist 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 charge.
If adhd diagnosis in adult located in England you have the legal right to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment online with an expert. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you
Talk to your GP If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. While they may not be in a position to identify you with ADHD formally, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there's advice on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page on how to speed this up.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medication through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine whether they satisfy the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some instances, they might need to rule out other conditions before making their decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also have to eliminate any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD they will send a form to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you are unsure about the best choice for you or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can use one of the alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how you can do it.
4. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can book a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private companies. They will require you to provide information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, along with details of any relevant medical history. They will also ask whether any of your family members have ADHD.
Your doctor will guide you through the assessment process. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a doctor who is willing to refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will receive the diagnosis faster. If needed, your psychiatrist will refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts they can gather more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who knows you well. They'll also take into consideration other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate, including depression and addiction disorders.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed as adults and not as children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only manifest in adults and cause more problems as you get older and face more difficulties. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a young person.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed if you're a member of an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about how an individual suffering from ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior without properly taking note of your symptoms.