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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Patients with ADHD are often confronted with a network of gatekeepers when seeking referrals, assessment and support. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers within NHS CCGs aren't following the national guidelines for clinical practice or their legal obligation to prevent discrimination and health inequalities.

Private ADHD clinics may not be adequately regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This may result in an inconsistency in diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting, which can cause difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS.

How can I get an official medical diagnosis?

ADHD is a mental health issue which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental illness often report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have been struggling for a long period of time. This means they may feel stuck in their current circumstances and are desperate for help to improve their life. However, the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for those who are seeking an assessment.

You can get an appointment with the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will take your concerns seriously, and could refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you might have to wait until the specialist is available.

To determine if you have ADHD medical professionals look at any mental health issues that you may have had in the past, as well as your family history. To evaluate your behavior, they'll examine you in a variety of situations, like at home, school or at work. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They might ask you questions about your social life, your relationships and other activities you participate in frequently.

A doctor will take into consideration all the evidence before making an assessment. They will make use of criteria such as being persistently restless and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span and having difficulty keeping up with work or at school and having difficulty staying focused on tasks that are not completed, and being a lot of active. The diagnosis is based on a pattern of traits that can be seen in a variety of settings and affect your functioning.

In recent months, there has been a rise in celebrities sharing their stories of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in people seeking an assessment. This can lead to long waiting for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families avoid the NHS in order to have their medical examinations at private clinics. This is expensive. It is important to choose an healthcare provider you trust and be honest about the symptoms you are experiencing.

What happens during the process of assessment?

Whether you're self-referring or getting referred by your GP the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is very similar. The person doing the assessment will ask you questions about How Do I Get An Adhd Diagnosis your symptoms impact your daily life, for example "What problems do you experience at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you experience other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?"

You may have to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior your appointment, depending on the location you're taking for your evaluation. Filling out these forms in a timely manner will help to avoid any delays to your appointment. It's also important to become familiar with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to recognize them and discuss how they affect your life in detail.

The assessment will typically include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nursing staff or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health overall and the symptoms of ADHD to see whether they are caused by any other condition, or are unrelated to any other conditions (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then go over possible treatment options with you which can involve medication.

Remember that GPs and nurses are not as well-versed in adult ADHD as Psychiatrists. It is therefore important to plan your symptoms and practice them before you go to the examination. This will enable you to describe your symptoms in a way they can comprehend. You will have to give examples on how to get diagnosed with adhd adults your symptoms have impacted your life in all areas from your work to your relationships, and then over time.

As part of the assessment you may have to undergo some tests, such as the test for allergies. Your therapist may suggest additional tests to check if you have other medical issues.

You may be self-referring, or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, but you will still have to wait for an appointment that is funded by the NHS. This can vary from NHS trust to NHS trust, as well as from clinician to clinician.

What happens if I do not get an appointment?

There are several things that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for certain groups of people to be diagnosed, for example, those who are of color or a woman at birth or if you have other mental health diagnoses like bipolar disorder or depression.

If you're struggling to get a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about it and asking for an appointment with a psychiatrist. It's also worth trying to locate a private psychiatric clinic who specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They can provide a more rapid service than the NHS.

The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also attempt to determine the cause of your symptoms including anxiety, depression or thyroid issues. It can be a lengthy procedure and adults might not have all the information they require.

You may not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP accepts. This is because a psychiatrist can only determine that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they believe you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you the reason.

If you've been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to seek treatment through the NHS. This applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You may also be able to get medication through an Individual Funding Request, but this will depend on your local area. You may be referred to your local specialist to prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists usually prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they do not usually plan for long time periods of titration.

It is beneficial to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and online. They can be extremely positive and reassuring, and it can help to discuss your experiences with others who understand.

How can I receive treatment?

Adults may be sent to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example, the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a significant number of NHS healthcare providers do not recognise these reports as legitimate and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to treatment, notably long wait times and rejection of referrals (see below).

Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to overcome the insufficient NHS investment in this area. Private clinics can provide a quicker and more efficient, and generally understanding diagnosis. They can also be helpful in identifying comorbidities such as depression and anxiety that are prevalent in ADHD, and in helping in titrating to the final dosage of the medication. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200, although the diagnosis and titration are priced separately.

The treatment and diagnosis for ADHD can vary from one person to another. The most commonly used treatment is medication, and this may be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Non-drug interventions can be helpful for education and training for families and parents of people with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing a sleep-friendly schedule helps. Some people find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, but the evidence isn't as strong.

It is inexcusable that so many adults suffering from ADHD cannot get the medical and treatment they require through the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK governments as well as regulatory and clinical bodies. People with ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and consistent with their legal rights. Long-term planning of funding, and joined up commissioning of social, health care and judicial services are crucial to address this need that is not being met. The current state of affairs is not sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and the entire society is devastating. It is time to invest in this area.