A Retrospective A Conversation With People About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD 20 Years Ago
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to the shortage of medications, you could experience delays in getting diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD will often consult their GP first. They can take your concerns seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free or you may be required pay a small amount. Find more details on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms aren't able to be taken seriously. It's important to know that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child may have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We suggest you look for a new GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be difficult to get a referral however it's well worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. The GP will ask you or your child for details about 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 will also want to verify if you or your child has suffered from similar symptoms before and compare information. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers that can perform ADHD assessments. You'll need to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You will probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it is recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your school or job documents, or talk to your parents, teachers, 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 functions. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to look into other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or a child you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to know that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documents for a shared-care arrangement which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription cost.
In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This is often a quicker route than going through your GP and could be cheaper too.
3. Request your GP for a referral
Speak with your GP if you suspect that you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. They will not be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it has affected you and your family. They should then refer you to a specialist to be assessed and treated. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to speed up the process if they have an extensive waiting list.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If adhd in adults diagnosis find that you suffer from ADHD they will send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT is the 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 doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you're not sure which one to go with or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or directly yourself. You can book an appointment for a diagnostic examination via phone or video with the majority of private providers. adhd diagnosis in adult will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they impact you and your daily routine. They may also ask for details about your medical background. They will also ask whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a GP who is willing to recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis quicker. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine fairly quickly if you have ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to search for more evidence to support it by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They will also consider other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, including depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms manifest in adults and cause more issues as you age and face more challenges. This is especially true if you did not receive the proper support as a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly in the case of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about how someone with ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without assessing you symptoms.