How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to 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 could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child might suffer from ADHD will often consult their GP first. They will be attentive and send you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you could be required to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child's difficulties staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they affect your life. They will also determine whether your child's or your symptoms are more easily explained by a different illness (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out a different one. This can be difficult however, it's worth asking for an appointment with. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you talk to your GP.
After you've been referred for an evaluation the process should go quickly. Doctors will want to know the details about your child's symptoms. 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 will also want to check if your or your child has experienced similar symptoms before, so they can examine the data. This is important since only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD assessments. You'll have to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely have to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also wish to assess you for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
If you are an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and they will remain a significant influence 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, when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, you will initially receive your medication on the NHS. Private clinics should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, so that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're located in England you have the legal right to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. So, if you decide that waiting time for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule a private appointment online with a specialist in your region. This could be a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Request adhd diagnosis in adult for a referral
If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first thing to do is talk to your GP. While they may not be in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way but they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you how it has affected you and your family. They must then refer you an expert to be assessed and treated. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer tips on how to accelerate the process in case they have a lengthy waiting list.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During this visit, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine whether they fit 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 require a diagnosis like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they determine that you have ADHD they will write to your GP with paperwork to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medication and CBT is the most effective. However, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you reside in 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 known as 'Right To Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you aren't sure the best choice for you or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can choose one of the alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which has a very helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Make an appointment with a specialist
In the UK, there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for the referral or call them directly. You can book an assessment of diagnostics via phone or video with most private companies. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and specific details about any medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the signs of ADHD.
You can make an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you don't know a GP that will recommend you to one. This may be a little more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to be diagnosed. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if needed.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can hinder your ability to concentrate like addiction or depression.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood, not children. This is because most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more difficulties. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a child.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of the minority group or are an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about how someone suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly analysing your symptoms.