How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD People often come across a network gatekeepers. It is clear that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs are not following national guidelines for treating patients or their legal obligations to prevent discrimination and health inequality.

Private ADHD clinics may not be adequately regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This could lead to inconsistent thresholds for diagnosis and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer back to the NHS.

How do I obtain a medical diagnosis?

ADHD is a mental health condition that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). People with mental health conditions frequently experience symptoms of ADHD especially those who have struggled for a long period. This means they may feel stuck in their current situation and need help to improve their life. However, the NHS can be difficult to navigate for people seeking diagnosis.

You can get an appointment with the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and should be able to send you to a specialist for an examination however, you may have to wait while the specialist is available.

To determine if you have adhd diagnosis for adults medical experts will look into any mental health issues you might have had in the past and your family history. They will be observing you in various settings, including at the workplace, school or at home, to assess your behaviour. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They might ask you questions about your social life, your relationships and other activities you engage in often.

A specialist will review all the evidence before deciding on diagnosis. They will use criteria, such as being persistently active and fidgety, possessing a short attention span, difficulty keeping up at school or work or work, having difficulty staying focused on tasks, not finishing things and being extremely active. The diagnosis is dependent on the pattern of behaviors that can be observed in different situations and impact your performance.

In recent months there has been an increase in the number of celebrities sharing their stories of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase in people seeking a diagnosis. This can lead to long waiting for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS in order to undergo assessments at private adhd diagnosis clinics. This can be costly. It is important to choose the right healthcare provider who you trust and be honest about your symptoms.

What happens during the process of assessment?

The method of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person conducting the test will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. For example, "What problems do experience at home?" "How does your symptoms affect your work?" "Do you have other symptoms you think could be related to ADHD?"

Depending on the location you visit for your evaluation, there may be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. Filling out these forms as quickly as you can will prevent any delays during your appointment. You should also familiarise yourself with the signs of ADHD to be able to recognise the signs and their effects on your life.

The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or a qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will discuss with you the treatment options that could include medication.

Keep in mind that nurses and doctors are not as well-versed in adult ADHD as psychiatrists. Therefore, it is important to identify your symptoms and practice them prior to when you take part in the evaluation. This will help you explain your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll need to provide examples on how your symptoms affect your life in all aspects from your work to your relationships, and over time.

You may have tests performed as part of the assessment like the blood test to look for any allergies. If you have any other medical problems, your therapist might suggest further tests to check for these issues, too.

You could be self-referring or using the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll need to wait to get an appointment that is funded by the NHS. This can differ from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician.

What happens if I don't get an answer to my question?

There are many factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for some groups of people to be diagnosed, for instance if you are a person of color or assigned a female at birth or if you have other mental health diagnoses like bipolar disorder or depression.

If you're struggling to get an assessment, speak to your GP and request an appointment. It's also worth trying to find a private psychiatric provider that specialises in adult ADHD evaluations. They may be able to provide a quicker service than the NHS.

The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also try to determine the cause of your issues like depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. This is a extensive procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence needed (for instance, they may struggle to locate old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard).

It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP is willing to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist can only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. If they believe that you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you why.

In the UK, it is legal in the UK to get treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if you are diagnosed with ADHD. You could be able receive medication through an individual funding request, but it is contingent on the location you reside in. You could be referred by your doctor to prescribe the medication you want. NHS specialists recommend Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always plan long titration phases.

It is beneficial to join a support group for adults with ADHD in person and on the internet. They can be extremely helpful and comforting, and it can help to discuss your experiences with other people who can relate to your experience.

What can I do to get treatment?

Doctors can refer adults to specialist ADHD services to be assessed and prescribed medication. These services are usually located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example the Maudsley Hospital, London, provides a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports and patients are frequently denied accessing care. This is due to lengthy waiting times or rejection of referrals.

Support groups reported at the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnosis to avoid the NHS's lack of funding in this area. Private clinics offer a more accurate, professional and adults faster diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety that are prevalent in ADHD and also in helping with titration until the final dose of the medication. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced.

The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from one person to another. The most popular treatment is medication, and this may be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial, such as education and training for parents and families of those with ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD have found that changing their diet and establishing a sleep-friendly schedule helps. Some people find that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However, the evidence for these therapies is less extensive.

It is unacceptable that many adults with ADHD aren't able to receive the care and treatment they need on the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities must take action urgently to address this situation. People suffering from ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and consistent with their rights under the law. To address this unmet need, it is vital to plan for long-term funding and to provide health, social care and judicial services in tandem. The current situation is not sustainable and the impact on individuals, families and society is hugely damaging. It is now the time to invest in this area.