5 How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Lessons From The Professionals
5 How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Lessons From The Professionals
Blog Article
How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait time is long, think about asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients the right to choose their providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You may also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you can choose which location to get your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount.
Ask your GP
If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted along with the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason it might be worth switching your GP in particular when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.
If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various aspects of your life.
After a diagnosis is made the doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you're an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe here medications for you.
Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the condition.
Right to Choose
If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP.
It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you.
Ask your GP about medication options. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can request a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.
They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reason and you can ask for a referral.
After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time.
You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options may be available. For instance, if are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your university. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.