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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers – referred to as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will require evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out an alternative. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you deserve. Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your doctor If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed along with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request in any way, it could be worth changing your GP in particular in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your condition. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP. It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're 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. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to help you. It is also advisable to ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can provide to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of the diagnosis. They will inform them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria they will explain why and request another referral. After receiving a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This can save you money over time. You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other options that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.