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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD People often come across a network gatekeepers. It is clear that many of these gatekeepers, particularly in NHS CCGs, are not following the national guidelines for clinical practice and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination.

Some private ADHD clinics might not be properly controlled, according to anecdotal reports. This can result in inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that could create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.

How do I get a diagnosis?

ADHD is an illness of the mind, which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare provider who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only ones qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often have ADHD symptoms, especially those who have struggled for a long period of time. They may feel stuck in their current situation, and desperate for assistance. The NHS can be difficult for those trying to find a diagnosis.

It is possible to receive an diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for a referral to see a specialist. Your GP will take your concerns seriously, and might refer you to specialists for an evaluation. However, you might be required to wait until a specialist is available.

When assessing for ADHD healthcare experts will examine your family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues you have had in the past. They will be observing you in various settings, including at home and school or work, 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 that you do often.

A specialist will examine all the evidence before arriving at diagnosis. They will make use of criteria for example, being perpetually active and fidgety, possessing an insufficient attention span or difficulty focusing at school or work or work, having difficulty staying focused on tasks or tasks, not completing them and being overly active. The diagnosis will be by examining the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your functioning, and if there is an identifiable pattern that has persisted for at minimum six years.

In recent months there has been an increase in celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a spike in the number of people seeking an assessment, which could result in long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some patients and families choose to bypass the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics that can be expensive. It is crucial to select the right healthcare provider who you can trust and to be honest about the symptoms you are experiencing.

What happens during the test?

The process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, like "What problems do you experience at home?", "How do your symptoms impact on work?", and "Do you have any other symptoms you believe might be related to ADHD?"

You may need to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment, based on where you are going for your assessment. It is important to fill these out in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment won't be delayed. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can identify them and discuss how they affect your life in detail.

The test will usually involve an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another illness or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss treatment options with you, which could include medication.

Keep in mind that nurses and doctors are not as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore crucial to identify your symptoms and practice them before you take part in the examination. This will help you explain your symptoms in a way they can understand. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have affected on all aspects of your life from work to relationships, and how they have changed over time.

As part of the evaluation, you could be required to take certain tests, for instance an allergy test. Your therapist might suggest additional tests to check if you have other medical conditions.

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 vary from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician.

What happens if I do not receive a diagnosis?

There are many factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. Certain groups could be more difficult to get diagnosed. For example that they are of color or were born female or if they have other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression.

If you're having difficulty getting a diagnosis, consider speaking to your GP about it and request the referral to a psychiatrist. It is also a good idea to locate a private psychiatric service that specialises in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide an earlier service than the NHS.

The psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they match the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also attempt to eliminate other causes of your issues, such as depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. It's a long process and adults may not have all the information they need.

You may not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP agrees. This is because a psychiatrist will only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think that you are not meeting the criteria, they will inform you why.

In the UK, it is legal to seek treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if you have been diagnosed with ADHD. You might be able to get medication through an Individual funding request, however it will depend on the location you reside in. You could be referred by your doctor to prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists are more likely to prescribe Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first, and they do not always plan for long titration periods.

It can be helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and on the internet. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring, and it can help to talk through your experience with people who understand.

What can I do to receive treatment?

I Am Psychiatry UK  may refer adults to specialists ADHD services to be assessed and prescribed medication. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a national ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS healthcare providers don't accept these reports and patients are often denied receiving treatment. This is due to lengthy waiting times or the rejection of referrals.

Support groups informed the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome NHS's lack of investment in this area. Private clinics provide a speedier and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis. They also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness which are common in ADHD. They can assist in titrating the final dosage. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced.

The treatment and diagnosis for ADHD can vary from individual to individual. Most people are treated with medications. These could be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be helpful, such as education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people with ADHD find that a change in their diet helps, as well as developing a sleep-friendly routine. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy may help their symptoms. However the evidence supporting these therapies isn't as strong.

It is unacceptable that many adults suffering from ADHD are not able to access the treatment and care they need on the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK governments and clinical and regulatory bodies. People with ADHD need access to treatment, free from discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. Long-term planning of funding and joint commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are essential to meet this unmet need. The current situation is not sustainable and the impact on individuals, families and society is incredibly damaging. It's time to invest.