How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to shortages of medication there could be delays in receiving diagnosed and undergoing treatment.
1. Speak with your doctor
The GP is often the first port of call for those who suspect that they or their child could be suffering from ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Based on the location of your home, this might be free or you may have to pay a small fee. More information is available on the NHS website.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to remember that around 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or you may have difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider how long the ADHD-related issues have been present in your child or you and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).
We suggest you try to find an alternative GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for referrals but it's worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed in a short time after you have been sent to a specialist. The doctor will ask you or your child for specific details regarding your symptoms. The specialist will conduct an interview, a questionnaire, and a medical exam. 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 experienced these symptoms previously so that they can compare. This is crucial as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Book an assessment with an expert
There are a number of NHS specialist centers that can carry out ADHD tests. You'll need to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You will probably need to fill out a few questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. These can take a while to complete, so you should try to do them in advance of your appointment if you can.
Your specialist will examine your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may request your employment or school records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't only a problem with behavior - it is also related to the way that your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll still have a significant impact on your life.
You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. 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 will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP documentation to sign a shared-care agreement, which will allow you to pay the NHS prescription fee.
If you're in England, you have a legal right to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can book a private appointment online with an expert in your area. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP and is an economical alternative too.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD the first thing to do is speak to your GP. They will not be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD but they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it's affected you and your family. They will then refer you to an expert for evaluation and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide suggestions on how to accelerate the process if you are on a a lengthy waiting list.
Once you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medications 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 assess whether they fit 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 need to rule out conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol use out.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people are able to determine that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.
It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose', and it applies to adults as well as children. If you aren't sure which one to go with, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you can use one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide on how to do this.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
There are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly yourself. The majority of private providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. They will ask you to provide information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, and information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
If you don't have a physician who is willing to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. If needed, your psychiatrist will refer you to the NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can find more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who knows you well. adhd diagnosed will also consider other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate for a long time, such as addiction disorders or depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and they may cause more issues as you age and encounter more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a young person.
It can be challenging to receive a diagnosis if you're a member of the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions of what an individual with ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior without assessing you symptoms.