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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 must consider your concerns seriously and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Speak to your doctor
Doctors are often the first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child may have ADHD. They can be very attentive to your concerns and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live, it may be free or you could be required to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to remember that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself might have trouble staying focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also take a look at the length of time the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they impact your daily life. They will also consider whether your or your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out an alternative one. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
After you've been referred to an assessment the process should be completed quickly. The GP will request you or your child to provide specific details regarding 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 verify if you or your child has experienced these symptoms previously and compare information. This is important since only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers that can perform ADHD evaluations. diagnosis of adhd 'll have to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You will probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current diagnostic guidelines for adults. They may request your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as when you were a child. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also want to check for other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we know better. diagnosing adhd can last into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
You will be given medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It is important to know that if you're diagnosed privately and you're prescribed medication, it will first be obtained from the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to assist you in this and will provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and 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 area. This is often a quicker route than going through your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment
If you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is speak to your GP. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there is information on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed up this process.
Once you have been diagnosed, you will be given an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit the psychiatrist will take a look at your symptoms and determine whether they are in line with the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a decision, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They may also have to eliminate any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they find that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose which applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem too long you can select 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 provides a guide on how to do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
In the UK there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for a referral to these or call them directly yourself. Most private providers allow you to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they impact your life and daily activities. They might also want to know details of your medical history. They will also ask if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will get the diagnosis faster. If necessary, your psychiatrist will refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to search for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions which can affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction and depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more problems as you age and face more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a young person.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing your symptoms.