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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you believe that you might have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible to 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 medication shortages.
1. Talk to your GP
If you suspect that you or a child might have ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will be attentive and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Based on the location of your home, this might be free of charge, or you might have pay a small amount. More details are available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD, especially if your symptoms don't seem to be taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why you or your child may struggle to stay focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD based on their observations, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your life. They will also look at whether your child's or your symptoms are more easily explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get a different one. This can be difficult however, it's worth asking for a referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you have been recommended. The doctor will request you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The doctor 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 should also check if your or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously and examine the data. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers which can perform ADHD tests. You will need to request your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to complete so try and complete them before your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your school or work records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as an infant. ADHD is more than just a behavior problem. It's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your specialist will look at your overall performance and may decide to assess other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and still have an impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be diagnosis for adhd that when you're diagnosed privately and you're prescribed medication, it will first come from the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP documentation to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're in England you have a legal right to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you think that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your region. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to seeing your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
If you think you or your child might have ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. They won't be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting your family and you. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there's information on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed up this process.
After you've been identified and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will assess 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 certain cases it is necessary to exclude other conditions prior to making a decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any substance or alcohol abuse out.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix of medication and CBT is the most efficient. However, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the service 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 not sure which one to select or if the NHS wait times seem excessive it is possible to choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly. You can schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with most private companies. They will require you to provide details about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, as well as specific details about any medical history. They will be looking to find out whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed with 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 have the symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a doctor who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment, you can always find one yourself by booking an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will receive the diagnosis quicker. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment if required.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts, they will be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They'll also take into consideration other health conditions which can hinder your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more issues as you age and face more problems. This is especially true if you did not receive the right assistance as an infant.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.