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 will take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to employment. Due to shortages of medication and delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD are likely to seek out their doctor first. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may have pay a small amount. Find more details on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are being taken seriously. It's important to know that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and the diagnosis can help to understand why you or your child's trouble staying focused or responding to 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 any other people who know you. They will also consider the length of time your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your child's or you're symptoms are more easily explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking another one. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
After adhd diagnosis adult uk 've been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The doctor will inquire with you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will then 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 look to see whether you or your child has suffered from these issues previously so that they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Book an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialist centers that can perform ADHD assessments. You'll need to request your GP to recommend one of these. You will likely need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment if you can.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They might ask for your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as a child. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will look at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But now we are aware of the contrary. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It is important to note that if you're diagnosed privately, you will initially receive your medication on the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to help you with this and provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
If you're in England, you are legally entitled to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can book an online appointment with an expert. This is a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to visiting your GP.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
Talk to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. While they may not be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal manner but they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and you. They should then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there's guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed things up.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During adhd adults diagnosis , a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine whether they meet 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 might require a diagnosis like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they determine that you have ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can access ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
If you reside in England it is important to know that you have the legal right to choose the provider your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both adults and children. If you are unsure about the best choice for you or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how you can do it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are numerous 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. Most private providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to give details regarding your symptoms and how they impact your life and daily activities. They may also request information about your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you don't know a GP that will recommend you to one. This is slightly more expensive however, it will give you the fastest means to get a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment if required.
A good psychiatrist will be able to determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they will be able to look for additional evidence that is more convincing by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They may also look into other health issues that could affect your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed as adults and not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more difficulties. This is particularly the case if you did not receive the proper support as an infant.
Sometimes it can be difficult to receive the diagnosis, especially when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions of what people suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior, without assessing you symptoms.