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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their providers and treatment providers – referred to as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is crucial to be able to trust your physician but you should not settle for less. Your doctor could recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly in the event that you plan to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children will develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your 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, you have a right to choose the provider. This is referred to 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 recommended to find out the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to assistance. It is also advisable to ask your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. how to diagnosis adhd can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website that includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful to have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis. They will tell them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe another condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria they will explain why and ask for a second referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long run. Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options might be available. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.