How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
People with ADHD often face a network of gatekeepers when seeking referral or assessment and support. It is clear that many of these gatekeepers, notably in NHS CCGs, are disregarding national clinical guidelines and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination.
Certain private ADHD clinics might not be properly controlled according to reports from anecdotal sources. This can result in different thresholds for diagnosis, and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I obtain an accurate diagnosis?
ADHD is a mental health condition that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental health issues frequently report symptoms of ADHD particularly those who have been struggling for a long period. They may feel trapped in their current situation, and in desperate need of assistance. The NHS can be confusing for those who are seeking a diagnosis.
You can receive an assessment through the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will take your concerns seriously and be able to recommend you to an assessment however, you may have to wait while the specialist is available.
To assess your ADHD medical professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have had in the past and your family history. They will also observe you in various situations, such as at the workplace, school or at home to evaluate your behavior. They will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might also inquire about your relationships, social life and any other activities you take part in on a regular basis.
A specialist will look at all the evidence before arriving at an assessment. They will apply criteria like being constantly active and fidgety, possessing an insufficient amount of attention, difficulty keeping up at school or work, having trouble staying focused on tasks that are not completed, and being overly active. The diagnosis will be made based on the presence of these characteristics in a variety of settings, which affects your functioning and if there's a distinct pattern that has persisted for at minimum six years.
In the last few months, there is a surge in the number of well-known individuals who have opened up about their experiences with being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in people seeking an assessment. This can lead to long wait for healthcare professionals. Some patients and families choose to bypass the NHS through assessments at private clinics that can be expensive. It is essential to find a healthcare provider you can trust and answer any questions honestly regarding your medical conditions.
What happens during the process of assessment?
The process of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person doing the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, for example "What difficulties do you encounter at home?", "How do your symptoms impact on work?", and "Do you experience other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?"
Depending on the location you visit for your assessment there could be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete prior to your appointment. It is important to complete these in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment doesn't get delayed. It's also important to become familiar with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can recognise them and discuss the ways they affect your life in detail.
The assessment will usually include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they are caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then go over the treatment options with you, which may involve medication.
Keep in mind that nurses and doctors will not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore crucial to prepare your symptoms and practice them prior to when you go to the evaluation. This will help you explain the impact your symptoms are having in a way that they can understand. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have impacted on every aspect of your life from work to relationships and how they've changed in time.
There may be tests taken as part of the assessment, such as the blood test to look for any allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical problems, your therapist might suggest further tests to check for these issues, too.
If you are self-referring, or enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is crucial to know that, even if you pay for your private examination, you still have to wait for NHS scheduled appointments - and this can vary between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another.
What happens if I don't receive an appointment?
You could be diagnosed with ADHD if you have several things in your favor. Certain groups might be more difficult to get diagnosed. For instance when they are of color or were born female or if they have other mental health diagnoses such as bipolar disorder or depression.
If you are struggling to get a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about it and asking for an appointment with a psychiatrist. You could also find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They often provide an earlier service than the NHS.
click hyperlink will examine your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a guideline. They will also rule out other possible causes of your problem like anxiety, depression or thyroid problems. This can be a very extensive procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for instance, they may struggle to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard).
It's also possible that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD, even when your GP is willing to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist will only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe 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 in the event that you have been diagnosed with ADHD. You might also be able to get medication through an Individual Funding Request but this depends on your local area. You may be referred to the right specialist in your area who will prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists recommend Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always plan long titration phases.
It is helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and on the internet. They can be supportive and reassuring. It can also be helpful to share your experience with other people who understand.
What can I do to receive treatment?
GPs can recommend adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and medication. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a national ADHD adult diagnostic service. However there are 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 private assessment and diagnosis to avoid the NHS's inability to invest in this area. Private clinics offer a much quicker and more efficient and a more generalized diagnosis. They can also help screen for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness, which are common in ADHD. They also help with titration of the final dose. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200 However, often a diagnosis and titration are charged separately.
The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from individual to individual. The majority of people are treated with medications. It could be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug interventions are useful, such as training and education for parents and families of individuals with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have found that changing their diet and developing an effective sleep schedule can help. Some people have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can aid in reducing symptoms. However, the evidence for these therapies is less extensive.
It is unacceptable that a lot of adults with ADHD are not able to access the treatment and care they require on the NHS. The UK government, clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to rectify this issue. People with ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. To meet this demand it is essential to plan long-term funding and create health, social care and judicial services in tandem. The current state of affairs cannot be endured and has a negative impact on individuals, their families and the society. It's time to invest.