How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Patients with ADHD are often confronted with a network of gatekeepers when seeking referral assessment, support and referral. It is clear that a lot of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, are not following the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal duty to avoid health inequality and discrimination.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that some private ADHD clinics aren't properly controlled. This could lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How can I get an medical diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only ones certified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). People suffering from mental illness often have ADHD symptoms, especially those who have struggled for a lengthy period of time. This means that they be feeling stuck in their current situation and are desperate for assistance to improve their lives. However how to get an adhd diagnosis uk is true that the NHS can be a challenge to navigate for people seeking an assessment.
You can get an assessment through the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and could refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you might be required to wait until a specialist is available.
In assessing you for ADHD, healthcare experts will examine your family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues that you have experienced in the past. To assess your behavior, they will observe you in different situations, like at school, home, or work. They will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might also inquire about your social life, relationships and any other activities that you take part in on a regular basis.
A specialist will look at all the evidence prior to making an appropriate diagnosis. They will use criteria like being unrestful and fidgety at all times, having short-term memory issues or difficulty focusing, having difficulty keeping up at school or at work, not completing tasks and being overly energetic. The diagnosis will be by examining the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your functioning and if there's a clear pattern that has been evident for at minimum six years.
In recent months there has been a rise in high-profile people speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase in people seeking a diagnosis. This can result in long waiting for healthcare professionals. Many patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics, which can be expensive. It is important to choose a healthcare provider that you trust and be honest about your health issues.
What happens during the assessment?
The procedure of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life. For instance, "What problems do experience at home?" "How does your symptoms affect your work?" "Do you have other symptoms you think may be related to ADHD?"
Depending on where you go for your evaluation There may be different forms or questionnaires available for you to complete before your appointment. It is crucial to fill these out as quickly as possible so that your appointment won't be delayed. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the signs of ADHD to be able to recognize them and discuss their impact on your life.
The assessment will usually include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they are caused by another illness or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will go over with you the treatment options, which may include medications.
Remember that GPs and nurses aren't as well-versed in adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore important to plan your symptoms and practice them prior to when you take part in the evaluation. This will enable you to explain your symptoms in a way they can understand. You will have to give examples on how your symptoms have affected your life in all aspects, from your work to your relationships, and over time.
You might have some tests performed in the course of your examination for example, an examination of your blood to look for any allergies. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to determine for any medical conditions.
You may be self-referring, or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, but you will still need to wait until you can get an NHS-funded appointment. This varies from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician.
What happens if I don't have an answer to my question?
You can be diagnosed with ADHD in the event that you have several things in your favor. Some groups may be more difficult to get diagnosed. For instance that they are of color or were assigned female at birth or if they have other mental health issues, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
If you're having a hard time getting a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about it and request a referral to a psychiatrist. You could also find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They can offer a faster service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will analyze your symptoms and decide whether they fit the criteria for ADHD using the Nice guidelines as a guideline. They will also determine if there are other causes of your problem for example, depression, anxiety, or thyroid problems. It can be a lengthy procedure and adults might not have all the information they need.
It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP will agree to refer you to a psychiatrist. This is because a psychiatrist can only determine that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they believe you do not meet the criteria, they will inform you the reason.
In the UK, it is legal to access treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if you have a diagnosis of ADHD. You could also get medication through an Individual Funding Request, but this will depend on your local area. You may be referred an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medicine of your choice. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first, and don't always make plans for long titration periods.
Participating in a support group, whether in person or online for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be helpful and calm. It can also help to share your experiences with others who can relate to.
What can I do to get treatment?
GPs may recommend adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and treatment. These services are usually located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example, the Maudsley Hospital, London, provides a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not recognise these reports as legitimate and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to treatment such as long waiting times and the rejection of referrals (see below).
Support groups at the consensus meeting reported that many ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome the absence of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics offer a much quicker and more efficient, and generally understanding diagnosis. They are also helpful in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are common in ADHD and also in helping in titrating to the final dose of the medication. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200, although the diagnosis and titration is priced separately.
The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from one person to another. The most common treatment is medication, and it can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug treatments are beneficial, like training and education for parents and families of people with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have found that altering their diet and creating an effective sleep schedule can help. Others find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can ease their symptoms, although the evidence on these is less extensive.
It is unacceptable that so many people suffering from ADHD cannot access the medical and treatment they require through the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities need to act urgently to address this situation. Patients with ADHD need access to treatment without discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. To address this unmet need, it is vital to plan for long-term funding and to create health, social, and judicial services together. The current situation can't be sustained and has a negative effect on individuals, their families and society. It is time to invest in this area.