Twenty Myths About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD: Busted
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may have ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could be eligible for Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving an appointment and beginning treatment.
1. Talk to your doctor
GPs are often a first point of contact when people suspect they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They can be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Based on the location of your home it could be free of charge or you might have to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It's important to remember that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you or your child might have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD Based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's issues could be better explained by another condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We suggest you try to find an alternative GP in the event that your current doctor doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It can be difficult to request referrals but it's worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.
After you've been referred for an evaluation the process should be completed quickly. The doctor will request details about 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 check if you or your child has suffered from these issues in the past so they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Book an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that are able to carry out ADHD tests. You will need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You'll likely need to fill out a few forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a long time to complete so try and do them in advance of your appointment if possible.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms within the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your work or school documents, or talk to your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. ADHD is more than a behavior problem. It is also linked to the way your brain functions. Your specialist will look at your overall performance and may decide to examine other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and remain a part of your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to note that if you are diagnosed privately and you are a private patient, you will receive your medication on the NHS. The private clinician should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement for shared care to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.
If you're in England you have a legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your area. This is often a quicker option than visiting your GP, and can be an economical alternative too.
3. Request your GP for an appointment
If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD formally 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 have a long waiting list, there is information on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed up this process.
If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only method to get access to medication through the NHS, and to qualify for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.
During this appointment the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine whether 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 might have to rule out other conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also need to eliminate any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If diagnosis for adhd determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send a form to your GP to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a mix of medication and CBT is the most efficient. However, everyone is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider 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 adults and children. If you aren't sure which one to go with or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can make use of alternative providers who do 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 to use it.
4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. You can book an appointment for a diagnostic examination via video or phone call with most private providers. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they affect you and your daily routine. They may also request information about your medical history. They will also ask whether any family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your symptoms have impacted your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a GP who will send you to an ADHD assessment You can always get one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. If necessary, your psychiatrist may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts, they will be able to look for more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction or depression.
The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only manifest in adults and cause more issues as you age and face more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper assistance as a child.
It can be challenging to get a diagnosis in the event that you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.