How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD are likely to consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns seriously and recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free, or you might have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially if you don't feel like your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why your child or you might have trouble staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your or your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We suggest that you try to find a new GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be difficult to ask for referrals but it's worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed quickly once you have been sent to a specialist. The GP will inquire with you or your child for specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, a 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 determine if you or your child has experienced these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with an expert
There are many NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD evaluations. You'll need to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may ask to see your school or work records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about your experiences as when you were a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way in which your brain functions. Your specialist will look at your general functioning and may also want to assess other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will remain a part of your life.
Whether you are an adult or child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. The private clinician can assist you with this and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can book an online appointment with a specialist. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be a more cost-effective option too.
3. Have your GP to refer you
If you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD, but they should take your concerns seriously and inquire about how it has been affecting you and your family. They will then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to accelerate the process if you are on a long waiting lists.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to obtain medication through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will evaluate 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 certain cases it is necessary to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they determine that you have ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.
If you reside in England, it is important to know that you are legally entitled to choose which provider your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're not sure which one to select or if the NHS wait times seem too long you can select one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can request a diagnostic assessment by phone or video with most private providers. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, as well as details of any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit the signs of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who will refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It is more expensive however you will receive the diagnosis faster. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they will refer you to NHS for further treatment.
adhd diagnosis uk adult can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also consider other health conditions that can hinder your ability to concentrate like depression or an addiction disorder.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is because the majority of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more issues as you get older and face more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the right support as an infant.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed in the event that you're a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.