How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They should consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
Doctors are often the first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child could have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free of charge, or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child's difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child is suffering from ADHD Based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take into consideration how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they impact your daily life. They will also consider whether your child's or your symptoms are more easily explained by a different condition (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking an alternative one. It isn't easy to request a referral but it's worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak 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, and the specialist will conduct 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 look to see whether you or your child have experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be done by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Request an assessment with an expert
There are several NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD tests. You will need to request your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely need to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They can take a long time to complete so try and complete them before your appointment if possible.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They might ask for your employment or school records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall functioning and may want to examine other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood, and they'll remain a significant influence on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. Private clinics should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement on shared care, which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England you have the legal right to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you think that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist in your region. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a
Talk to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner however, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected your family and you. They will then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have long waiting lists.
If you've been identified and accepted, you will receive an appointment with a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the 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 instances, they might need to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any substance or alcohol addiction out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a request to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that you'll be able to access ADHD medication through the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
It is important to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you aren't sure which one to go with, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could use one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which has a very helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with an expert
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. adhd diagnosis in adults can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. Most private healthcare providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they impact your life and daily activities. They may also ask for information about your medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your doctor will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for coping. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not have a doctor who will send you to a psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to be diagnosed. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They will also take into account other health issues that could affect your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more problems as you age and encounter more problems. This is especially true if you did not receive the appropriate support as a child.
Sometimes it is difficult to receive the diagnosis, especially if you are from a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.