How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you think that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You may experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first port of call when people suspect they or their child may be suffering from ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on your location the assessment could be free or you might have to pay a fee. More details are available on the NHS website.
Getting 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 keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child might have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has 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 look at how long the ADHD-related issues 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 accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or behavior issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out another one. It can be difficult to ask for referrals, but it is worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you have been referred. The doctor will request details about 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 should also verify if you or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously to be able to compare the information. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD evaluations. You'll need to request for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably have to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may request your work or school documents, or talk to your teachers, parents or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than just a behavior problem. It's also related to the way in which your brain works. Your doctor will examine your overall functioning and may want to assess other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In diagnose adhd was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
You will be given medication, regardless of whether you're an adult or not. It's worth noting that if you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication on the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you with this and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can book an online appointment with an expert. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP, and can be cheaper too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD. They will not be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD but they must take your concerns seriously and inquire about how it has been affecting you and your family. They will then refer you to an expert to be assessed and treated. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find advice on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed up this process.
After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only method to get access to medication through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During this visit the psychiatrist will take a examine your symptoms and determine if 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 certain cases, they might have to rule out other conditions like anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also have to eliminate any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination between medications and CBT is 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 GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you are unsure about which one to go with, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can choose one of the alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
There are many specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly yourself. You can schedule an appointment for a diagnostic examination via video or phone call with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to provide details regarding your symptoms and how they impact you and your daily life. They might also want to know details of your medical background. They will also want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your doctor will guide about 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 and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a physician who will refer you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It is more expensive however you will receive the diagnosis faster. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to look for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can affect your ability to concentrate, such as addiction disorders or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is because the majority of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more problems as you age and encounter more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis in the event that you're a minority or a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without taking note of your symptoms.