How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect you have ADHD Talk to your GP. They should consider your concerns seriously and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to medication shortages there could be delays in getting diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Speak to your doctor
If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD will often consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in the assessment could be free, or you might have to pay a fee. Find more details on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It's important to keep in mind that approximately 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 focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also look at how long your your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your daily life. They will also determine whether your child's or your own symptoms are better explained by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking out an alternative one. It can be difficult to request a referral but it's worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
The assessment process should be completed quickly once you have been referred. The doctor will request details about your child's symptoms. Then, 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 want to verify if you or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously and examine the data. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.
2. Request an assessment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centers that are able to perform ADHD tests. You will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires before your appointment. These can take a while to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment, if you are able to.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They may ask to see your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about your experiences as an infant. It's important to remember that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior it's also connected to the way that your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall functioning and may want to examine other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor how long you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It is important to note that, when you are diagnosed privately then you'll initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private clinician should be able to help you with this, and usually provide your GP with paperwork for a shared care agreement so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting 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. You can ask your GP for an appointment
Talk with your GP if you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They may not be able officially diagnose you with ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and inquire about how it has been affecting your family and you. They should then refer you to an expert for evaluation and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find information on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page on how to speed this up.
After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This Web page is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to obtain medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if you are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases, they might need to exclude other conditions prior to making a decision, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any drug or alcohol addiction out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your doctor will be able to prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination between medication and CBT is the most effective. However, every person is different.
If you reside in England and are a resident of England, it's worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose which provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to choose or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Book an appointment with an expert
There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or directly. You can request an assessment of diagnostics via video or phone call with most private companies. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they impact your life and daily activities. They might also want to know information about your medical history. adhd diagnostic will also ask whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and strategies for dealing with stress. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have the symptoms of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician who is willing to recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one yourself by booking an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive however, it will give you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. If needed, your psychiatrist will refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A qualified psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who knows you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
adhd diagnoses of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood and not as children. This is because most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more issues as you age and confront more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child.
It can be challenging to determine if you're diagnosed if you're a member of an ethnic minority or an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of the signs.