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 refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Speak to your doctor
GPs are often a first port of call when people suspect they or their child may have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you could have to pay. More details can be found on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do, especially if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that about 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why your child or you might have trouble staying focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will assess whether you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider how long your or the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they impact your life. They will also look at whether your your child's symptoms could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend seeking an alternative one. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for a referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you speak to your GP.
Once you have been referred for an evaluation, the process should move quickly. The GP will ask you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The doctor 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 have had these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD can only be confirmed by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Make adhd diagnosing with a specialist
There are many NHS specialist centres which can conduct ADHD assessments. You'll need to request for an appointment with your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take some time to complete, so it is best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adults. They may ask for your employment or school records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. It is 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 will 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 are aware. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and remain a part of your life.
No matter if you're an adult or a child, you'll usually receive medication as part of your treatment plan. It is important to know that when you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially come from the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you with this and provide your GP documentation to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.
If you're in England, you are legally entitled to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This is a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to going through your GP.
3. Have your GP to refer you to a
Speak with your GP If you think you or your child could have ADHD. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner however, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected you and your family. They should then refer you to an expert to be assessed and treated. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide tips on how to speed up the process in case they have an extensive waiting list.
If you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine whether they meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases, they might require a diagnosis like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also have to eliminate any drug or alcohol misuse.
If they find that you have ADHD they will write to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medication and CBT is most effective. But, everyone is different.
If you live in England it is worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose which provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you are unsure about which provider to choose or think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could make use of alternative providers who do NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which offers a great guide to help you do this.
4. Request an assessment with an expert
In the UK, there are many specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. Most private healthcare providers will allow you to book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. They will ask you to provide information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, and information about any relevant medical background. They will want to know if 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 your strategies for coping. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not know a physician who will refer you to one. This may be a little more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to receive a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if needed.
A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they have any doubts, they will be able to look for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or speaking to people who know you well. They may also look into other health conditions which can affect your ability to concentrate, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood and not as children. It is because the majority of symptoms appear as adults and can cause more issues as you age and encounter more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a young person.
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 someone with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.