How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They must consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child may have ADHD are likely to seek out their doctor first. They can be attentive and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free, or you might have to pay. Find more details on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. 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 your or your child's trouble staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child suffers from ADHD based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take a look at how long your or the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they affect your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or behavior issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get a different one. It can be difficult to request an appointment but it's worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed swiftly after you have been recommended. The doctor will ask you or your child to provide specific details regarding your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, questionnaire, and a 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 check if you or your child has had these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is important since only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Book an appointment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD assessments. You'll need to request for an appointment from your GP. You'll likely need to fill out questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. These can take a while to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment, if you are able to.
Your physician will assess your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may request your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about your experiences as a child. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It's also connected to the way your brain works. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also want to check for other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that if you're diagnosed by a private doctor, you will initially receive your medication through the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription charge.
If you're located in England you are legally entitled to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment on the internet with an expert in your area. This is usually a faster option than visiting your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Request your GP for an appointment
If you suspect that you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. They won't be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD, but they must take your concerns seriously and inquire about how it has affected you and your family. Then, they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there's advice on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed things up.
After you have been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if you meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In adhd diagnosis in adults , they might need to rule out other conditions before making a decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also have to rule any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP to sign an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
If you live in England it is worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose the provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to pick or if NHS wait times seem too long, you can choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how to do it.
4. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are many specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or call them directly. You can schedule a diagnostic assessment via video or phone call with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they affect your life and daily activities. They might also want to know details about your medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who knows you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate, such as depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. It is because the majority of symptoms manifest in adults and cause more problems as you get older and face more problems. This is particularly true if you did not get the right assistance as a child.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed in the event that you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions of what people with ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without assessing you symptoms.