How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect that you may have ADHD Talk to your GP. They should take your concerns very seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which could open the door to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk with your doctor
The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child might have ADHD. They can be attentive and refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Based on the location of your home the assessment could be free of charge or you may have to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's 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 might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD based on observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and any other people who know you. They will also take into consideration how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms could be better explained by another condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
We recommend that you look for a new GP if your current one does not treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for referral. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed swiftly after you have been referred. The GP will ask you or your child to provide specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist 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 should also check if your or your child has experienced similar symptoms before, so they can compare the information. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD tests. You'll need to request for an appointment from your GP. You will probably need to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to complete, so you should try to complete them prior to your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may request your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about your experiences as when you were a child. It's important to remember that ADHD is not just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your specialist will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that, if you're diagnosed privately then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you in this process and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care agreement so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you think that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make a private appointment online with a specialist in your region. This is usually a faster option than visiting your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
Talk to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may have ADHD. Although they aren't in a position to diagnose you with ADHD formally however, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there's information on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed up this process.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. 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, a psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine whether they meet the ADHD criteria. adhd adults diagnosis 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 their decision, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They may also have to rule out any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide 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 medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is most efficient, however everyone is different.
If you live in England, it is worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose which provider your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you are unsure about which one to go with or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can use 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 use it.
4. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly. You can request a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private providers. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, along with specific details about any medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide you through the assessment process. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed over 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 symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if don't know a GP that will send you to a psychiatrist. 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 will refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also take into account other health conditions that can affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more problems as you age and confront more problems. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper support as a child.
It can be difficult to receive a diagnosis in the event that you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.