How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They will consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may be eligible to receive Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD usually consult their doctor first. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live, it may be free or you could have to pay a fee. More details are available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or yourself may struggle to stay focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and any other people who know you. They will also consider how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or your own symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get an alternative one. It can be difficult to request referrals but it's worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. The doctor will request specific details of your child's symptoms, and the specialist should carry out 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 determine if you or your child have had these symptoms in the past so they can compare. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD assessments. You will have to ask your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll likely need to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can take a while to complete so try and complete them prior to your appointment if possible.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about your experiences as when you were a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain functions. Your specialist will look at your overall functioning and may want to examine other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are an adult, your doctor will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life.
You will be given medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It is important to note that, if you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication through the NHS. Private clinicians can assist you in this and will provide your GP documentation for a shared-care agreement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're in England you have a legal right to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you feel that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with a specialist. This is a quicker and cheaper alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
If you think you or your child might have ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. 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 specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there's advice on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed things up.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see psychiatrists to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a clinical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only 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 take a review 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 it is necessary to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also have to exclude any alcohol or drug abuse.
If they decide that you have ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medications and CBT is the most efficient. But, everyone is different.
It is crucial to understand that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you are unsure about which provider to choose 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 learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to use it.
4. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are numerous specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for the referral or directly yourself. You can request a diagnostic assessment by phone or video with the majority of private providers. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, how they impact you and your daily life. They may also ask for information about your medical history. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for dealing with stress. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not have a doctor who will refer you to one. adhd diagnose 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 good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also take into account other health issues that could impact your ability to focus, such as depression or an addiction disorder.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more issues as you get older and encounter more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a child.
It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed when you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about what people suffering from ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without properly analysing your symptoms.