How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD, talk to your GP. They will take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to medication shortages.
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 will be attentive and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the area you live in, it may be free, or you might have to pay. You can find more information on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially if your symptoms don't seem to be considered serious. It's important to remember that about 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself may struggle to stay focus or executing impulses.
A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD by observing as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your life. They will also determine whether your child's or you're symptoms are better explained by a different illness (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out an alternative one. This can be difficult, but it's worth asking for a referral. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
If you've been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. Then, 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 should also check if your or your child has had these symptoms before and compare the information. This is important since only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are a number of NHS specialist centers which can carry out ADHD assessments. You'll need to consult your GP to recommend one of these. You'll likely need to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.
Your physician will assess your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may request your work or school records or talk with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. It's important to remember that ADHD is not just a behavior issue It's also related to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will examine your overall functioning and may want to look into other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
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 only affected children. But now we have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
If you're an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you're prescribed medication, it will first be obtained from the NHS. The private clinician will be able to assist you with this and provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England you have a legal right to select your health care provider and mental health team. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment via the internet with an expert. This can be a faster and cheaper alternative to going through your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. Although they aren't in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and you. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we offer tips on how to accelerate the process in case they have long waiting lists.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medication through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During this appointment, the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine if they meet 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 instances they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medication and CBT is most efficient. However, every person is different.
If adhd diagnosis in adults reside in England and are a resident of England, it's important to know that you have the legal right to choose the provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose', and it applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to choose or if NHS wait times seem too long, 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 provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with an expert
There are numerous specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or directly. Most private healthcare providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, how they impact you and your daily routine. They might also ask for information about your medical history. They will be looking to find out whether any family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the assessment process. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a physician who will send you to an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will get the diagnosis quicker. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment, if needed.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to determine fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they'll be able to find additional evidence that is more convincing by asking you questions or speaking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus, such as addiction disorders or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. adhd diagnosis in adults is because the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more issues as you age and encounter more problems. This is particularly true if you did not receive the right support as an infant.
It can be difficult to receive a diagnosis when you're the minority group or are an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.