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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to assess your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through a private provider. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms. It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be able to trust your physician but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to do this for any reason it might be worth changing your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you've performed in different areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a university student your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the issue. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the service. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement for a 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 provider before you contact them. adhd uk diagnosis can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to assist you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with 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 problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to the GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of your diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will tell you why and you may ask for an additional referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term. It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. It is essential to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance you could request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.