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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking assistance, referral or assessment for ADHD People often come across a network gatekeepers. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers within NHS CCGs aren't following national guidelines for treating patients or their legal obligation to stop discrimination and health inequality. Private ADHD clinics might not be adequately regulated as per reports from anecdotal sources. This can result in inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting, which can create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I obtain an accurate diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health issue, meaning it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are the only professionals certified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). People suffering from mental health issues frequently experience symptoms of ADHD, especially those who have struggled for a long time. This means they may feel trapped in their current circumstances and need help to improve their life. The NHS can be confusing for those who are seeking an answer to a medical condition. You can receive 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 could refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you may be required to wait until a specialist is available. When assessing for ADHD healthcare professionals will look at your family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues that you have had in the past. They will also observe you in various settings, including at home and school or work to determine your behavior. You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may ask you about your social life, your relationships and other activities that you do frequently. A specialist will consider all the evidence prior to making an appropriate diagnosis. They will look at criteria such as being restless and fidgety throughout the day and having short-term memory issues and having trouble staying focused and unable to keep up at school or at work, not completing tasks and being extremely active. The diagnosis will be made by examining the presence of these characteristics in multiple settings, affecting your functioning, and if there is an identifiable pattern that has persisted for at least six years. In recent months there has been a rise in celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a spike in the number of people who are seeking an assessment, which could cause long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families bypass the NHS in order to have their medical examinations at private clinics. This could be costly. It is important to choose the right healthcare provider who you can trust and be honest about your health issues. What happens during the assessment process? Whether you're self-referring or getting recommended by your GP, the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is similar. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, like “What difficulties do you encounter at home?”, “How do your symptoms impact on work?”, and “Do you experience any other symptoms that you think might be related to ADHD?” You may need to fill out various forms or questionnaires before your appointment, depending on where you are going for your assessment. Complete these forms in a timely manner will ensure that you don't have any delays in your appointment. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to recognise the signs and how they impact your life in depth. The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff or a 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 discuss treatment options with you, which can involve medication. It is important to keep in mind that nurses, GPs and psychologists may not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists who specialize in it It is therefore essential to prepare and practice your symptoms before you go for the assessment. This will allow you to describe your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll have to provide examples of how your symptoms affect your life in all aspects including your work, your relationships, and over time. As part of the assessment you may have to undergo some tests, such as the test for allergies. Your therapist may suggest additional tests to determine whether you have any other medical issues. If you self-refer or going through the Right to Choose scheme, it is crucial to know that although you pay for your private examination but you will still need to wait for NHS approved appointments. And this may differ between NHS trusts and from one physician to another. What is the outcome if I fail to receive an appointment? You could be diagnosed with ADHD when you have several factors that favor you. It is more difficult for certain categories of people to be diagnosed, for instance when you are 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 a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about the issue and ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist. You may also find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD tests. They may be able to provide a quicker service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for ADHD using the Nice guidelines as a guideline. They will also determine if there are other causes for your issue like depression, anxiety, or thyroid issues. This can be a very extensive process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for example they might be unable to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD, even the GP will agree to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist will only determine that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe you do not meet the criteria, they'll inform you why. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, it is legal in the UK to receive treatment through the NHS. This is applicable to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You may be able to obtain medication through an individual funding request, however it will depend on where you live. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they do not always plan for long intervals of titration. Joining a support group, whether in person or online, for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely positive and reassuring, 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 recommend adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and treatment. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports, and patients are often denied accessing care. This is due to lengthy waiting periods or rejection of referrals. Support groups at the meeting reported that many ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to avoid the lack of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics provide a faster and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis. They can also assist in identifying comorbidities such as depression and anxiety which are common in ADHD and can assist with titration to the final dosage of the medication. Prices vary from PS500 to PS1,200 However, the diagnosis and titration are charged separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from individual to individual. The most common treatment is medication, and it can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug interventions are beneficial, like training and education for parents and families of individuals with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD discover that a change in diet can help, as does trying to establish a relaxing sleep routine. how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult IamPsychiatry have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, though the evidence isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that many people suffering from ADHD cannot get the medical and treatment they require through the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities must take action urgently to rectify this issue. People suffering from ADHD deserve to have access to treatment without discrimination and in accordance 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 cannot be long-term and has a negative effect on the families of individuals and society. It's time to invest.