How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you think that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication.
1. Talk with your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD will often seek out their doctor first. They will be attentive and refer you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may have to pay a fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to know that about 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child may have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child has ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or behavior issues).
We suggest you look for a new GP If your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. This can be difficult, but it's worth asking for an appointment with. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you talk to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an evaluation, the process should move quickly. Doctors will want to know the specific details of 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 check if your or your child has had these symptoms previously, so they can compare information. This is important since the diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers that are able to perform ADHD assessments. You'll need to ask for a referral from your GP. You will probably need to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment if possible.
Your physician will assess your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may request your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way in which your brain works. Your doctor will examine your overall performance and may decide to assess other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It's worth noting that in the event that you're diagnosed privately then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement on shared care, so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and the healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment with an expert in your area. This is a quicker and less expensive alternative to seeing your GP.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD. They won't be able to identify you as having ADHD however they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting you and your family. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to speed up the process if they have long waiting lists.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they are in line with 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 determine if they have any other medical conditions before making their choice, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they find that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for a Shared Care Agreement. adhd diagnosis uk adults means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix between medications and CBT is the most efficient. However, everyone is different.
It is vital 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', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem too long, you can choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
There are numerous specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can request an assessment of diagnostics via phone or video with most private companies. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily routine. They may also request information about your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have the signs of ADHD.
If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will get the diagnosis quicker. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to determine very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for 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 or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is because the majority of symptoms manifest in adults and cause more issues as you get older and face more problems. This is especially the case if you did not receive the appropriate support when you were a child.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis in the event that you're a minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about what an individual with ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior, without taking note of your symptoms.