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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're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt for an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. adult adhd diagnosis uk 'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for an alternative. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for less. Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce wait times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason it might be worth changing your GP in particular if you want to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a university student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It's not easy to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the issue. Right to Pick If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist 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 to Choice and select a different doctor. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be centered on your past experience with ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. adhd uk diagnosis should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons and you may ask for a second referral. Once you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.