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 will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
Doctors are often the first port of call when people suspect they or their child may be suffering from ADHD. They can take your concerns very seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free or you may be required pay a small amount. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to remember that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or you may struggle to stay focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD based on their observations of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also look at how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We recommend that you try to find a new GP If your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be difficult to get referrals but it's worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
After you've been referred to an assessment the process should go quickly. The GP will ask you or your child for details about your symptoms. The doctor will 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 want to 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 determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that can conduct ADHD assessments. You will need to ask for a referral from your GP. You will probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to complete so try and complete them before your appointment if possible.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may request your employment or school documents, or talk to your parents, teachers, or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way your brain functions. adhd diagnosis uk adult will look at the entire picture of how you're functioning, and may want to look into other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It is important to note that, if you're diagnosed privately then you'll initially receive your medication on the NHS. The private clinician is likely to be able assist you with this, and will usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement for shared care so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
If you're in England you have the legal right to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you believe that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This is often a quicker method than going to your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a
If you think you or your child may have ADHD the first step to do is speak to your GP. While they may not be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD formally however, they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and yourself. They should then refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer advice on how to accelerate the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
Once you have been diagnosed, you will be given an appointment to see an Psychologist to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether 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 certain cases, they might need to rule out other conditions before making a decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD, they will write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination between medication and CBT is most effective. However, every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you are unsure about which one to go with or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers that offer 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. Book an appointment with a specialist
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 directly. You can book an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with the majority of private providers. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and details of any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide about the assessment process. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. They will use this information to assess whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not have a doctor who will send you to a psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis quicker. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine 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 may affect your ability to concentrate for a long time, such as addiction or depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. This is because most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they may cause more problems as you get older and encounter more difficulties. This is particularly true if you did not get the right assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.