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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They will require evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often 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. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurer to determine the status. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will have to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is especially important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for another one. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for less. Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can utilize your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This is to help provide a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be provided with 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 specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children will develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details. It is worth noting that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected 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. You should also consult your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can give to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't think you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons and ask for an additional referral. After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time. You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.