How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you believe that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to employment. adhd in adults undiagnosed to shortages of medication, you could experience delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Speak with your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child might suffer from ADHD are likely to consult their GP first. They can take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on the area you live in the assessment could be free or you may have to pay. More details can be found on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly if you don't feel like your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to know that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and a diagnosis can help you to understand why your or your child might have trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from 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 consider how long your your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your daily life. They will also determine whether your child's or your own symptoms are better explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get an alternative one. It can be difficult to request an appointment, but it is worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. The doctor will ask you or your child to provide specific details regarding your symptoms. adhd diagnosis in adult 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 verify if you or your child has had these symptoms previously, so they can compare the information. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers that are able to perform ADHD tests. You'll need to request for an appointment with your GP. You will probably need to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may ask to see your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as a child. It is important to remember that ADHD is not just a behaviour problem It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall functioning and may want to assess other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
No matter if you're an adult or child, you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that if you are diagnosed privately, you will initially receive your medication through the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you in this process and provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, you are legally entitled to select your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment online with a specialist. This is often a quicker route than going through your GP and could be a more cost-effective option too.
3. Request your GP for a referral
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They may not be able identify you as having ADHD but they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting you and your family. They will then refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, they can find guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed things up.
If you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to obtain medication through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will look at 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 need to rule out conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They might also have to rule out any substance or alcohol addiction out.
If they decide that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP for the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people are able to determine that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're not sure the best choice for you or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how you can do it.
4. Make an appointment with a specialist
There are a variety of specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or call them directly yourself. Most private providers will let you book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they impact you and your daily life. They might also request details about your medical background. They will be looking to find out whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will talk about the assessment process. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment You can always locate one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to be diagnosed. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to find more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. This is because most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more issues as you get older and face more problems. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the appropriate support as a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get the diagnosis, especially in the case of a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.