How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible for Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. diagnosing adhd in adults could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD usually consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free of charge or you might have pay a small amount. More details can be found on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD particularly if your symptoms don't seem to be considered serious. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 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 responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also take into consideration how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your or your child's symptoms could be better explained by another condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or behavior issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out another one. It isn't easy to request an appointment but it's worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you talk to your GP.
If you've been referred to an assessment the process should go quickly. GPs will ask for 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 determine whether you or your child has suffered from these issues in the past so they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers which can carry out ADHD tests. You will need to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. They may take a long time to complete so try and complete them before your appointment if possible.
Your physician will assess your symptoms in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. It's important to remember that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior It's also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall functioning and may want to look into other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your specialist what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
No matter if you're 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 privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication on the NHS. Private clinics is likely to be able assist you with this, and will usually provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could book an online appointment with a specialist. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to going through your GP.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
If you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD, the first thing to do is speak to your GP. They may not be able formally diagnose you with ADHD but they should be attentive to your concerns and inquire about how it has been affecting your family and you. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there is advice on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page on how to speed this up.
If you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to obtain medication through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some instances, they might have to rule out other conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They might also need to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they find that you have ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with paperwork to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications 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 efficient, however everyone is different.
If you live in England it is worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about the best choice for you, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are numerous specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private providers will allow you to book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. They will require you to provide information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as information about any relevant 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 discuss your symptoms and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a doctor who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is a bit more expensive however, it will give you the fastest means to get a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to search for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as adults and not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more issues as you get older and encounter more difficulties. This is especially the case if you did not receive the proper support when you were an infant.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior without taking note of your symptoms.