How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you suspect that you may have ADHD. They will be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child may have ADHD are likely to consult their doctor first. They will take your concerns very seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Depending on the area you live in it could be free or you could have to pay. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child may have difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider the length of time the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they affect your life. They will also look at whether your child's or you're symptoms are more easily explained by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out a different one. It isn't easy to ask for a referral but it's worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you talk to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed quickly once you have been referred. The GP will ask you or your child to provide specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, a questionnaire, and a 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 will also determine if you or your child has suffered from similar symptoms before and compare information. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialization centers which can carry out ADHD tests. You will need to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You will probably need to fill out questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They can take a long time to complete so try and complete them prior to your appointment if you can.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may request your employment or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to examine other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by your doctor what time you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and they will continue to have a significant impact on your life.
Whether you are an adult or child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately and you're prescribed medication, it will first be obtained from the NHS. The private doctor will be able to help you with this and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care agreement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist in your area. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be an economical alternative too.
3. Have your GP to refer you
Speak with your GP in the event that you suspect 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 has been affecting you and your family. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there's advice on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed up this process.
Once you have been diagnosed and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from psychiatrists 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, the 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 instances they may need to rule out other conditions before making their decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any substance or alcohol abuse out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different.
It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which one to go with or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which provides a helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Book an appointment with an expert
There are many specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for the referral or call them directly. The majority of private providers allow you to schedule a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. diagnosis for adhd in adults will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, and how they affect your life and daily activities. They may also request details about your medical background. They will also want to know if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your doctor will talk you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if don't know a GP that will refer you to one. It is more expensive however you will receive the diagnosis quicker. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts, they will be able to find additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They may also look into other health conditions which can hinder your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as adults and not as children. This is because the majority of symptoms only appear as adults and can cause more problems as you age and face more problems. This is especially true if you did not receive the appropriate assistance as a child.
Sometimes it's difficult to receive a diagnosis, particularly if you are from a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.