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 take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to the shortage of medications there could be delays in getting diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They can be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Based on the location of your home the assessment could be free or you may have to pay a fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or you might have trouble staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take a look at the length of time your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out an alternative one. It isn't easy to request a referral but it's worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
Once you have been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The GP will request you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, 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 look to see if you or your child had these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is important because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD evaluations. You'll need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably have to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way that your brain functions. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to assess other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist what time you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and continue to impact your life.
adhd diagnosis adult uk will be given medication, regardless of whether you're an adult or not. It's worth noting that when you are diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication on the NHS. The private clinician should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement for shared care which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're located in England you are legally entitled to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to visiting your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for a referral
Talk with your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. They will not be able to identify you as having ADHD however they should be attentive to your concerns and ask how it's been affecting you and your family. They should then refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer tips on how to speed up the process if they have long waiting lists.
After you've been identified, you will be given an appointment to see psychiatrists to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this appointment, the psychiatrist will review 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 some cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making a choice, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They may also have to exclude any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send a letter to your GP with a form to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
If you reside in England it is worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose which provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to pick or if NHS wait times are too long it is possible to choose one of the other providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which offers a great guide on how to do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
In the UK there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly. You can request an appointment for a diagnostic examination by phone or video with most private companies. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they impact you and your daily life. They may also want to know details of your medical history. They will also ask whether any family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. 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 and 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 get one on your own by making an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive however, it will give you the fastest way to receive a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to people 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 disorders or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and can cause more issues as you get older and face more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a young person.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly if you are from an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about how someone with ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without taking note of your symptoms.