How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD, people often encounter a network gatekeepers. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers in NHS CCGs aren't following national clinical guidelines or their legal duty to prevent discrimination and health inequality.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that certain private ADHD clinics are not sufficiently regulated. This could lead to an inconsistency in diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer back to the NHS.
How can I get an official medical diagnosis?
ADHD is a mental health condition which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental illness often report ADHD symptoms, particularly 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 help to improve their life. However the NHS can be difficult to navigate for people seeking a diagnosis.
You can receive an assessment through the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously and may refer you to specialists for an evaluation. However, you may be required to wait until a specialist is available.
In order to assess your ADHD healthcare professionals look at any mental health issues you might have experienced in the past and your family history. They will also observe you in different settings, including at home and school or work, to assess your behaviour. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. They may also inquire about your relationships, social life and any other activities that you do on a regular basis.
A specialist will examine all the evidence before making an assessment. They will use criteria such as being restless and fidgety all the time and having a short-term memory and having trouble staying focused, having difficulty keeping up with school or work, not finishing tasks and being extremely active. The diagnosis will be made based on the presence of these characteristics in a variety of settings, which affects your performance and if there is an identifiable pattern that has remained for at least six years.
In recent months there has been an increase in high-profile people speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase in people seeking an assessment. This can result in long waiting times for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families bypass the NHS in order to have their medical examinations at private clinics. This can be expensive. It is crucial to select the right healthcare provider who you trust and be honest about your health issues.
What happens during the assessment?
The procedure of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life, for example "What difficulties do you encounter at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you have any other symptoms that you think might be related to ADHD?"
Depending on where you go for your evaluation there could be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. Filling out these forms as quickly as you can will ensure that you don't have any delays in your appointment. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can recognise them and discuss the ways they affect your life in depth.
The evaluation will typically include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess your mental health in general, and the specific symptoms of ADHD to see if they are being caused by any other condition, or are unrelated to any other conditions (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss treatment options with you, which could include medication.
It's worth remembering that GPs, nurses and psychologists aren't as well-versed in adult ADHD as Psychiatrists with specialization It is therefore essential to practice and prepare your symptoms prior to going for an assessment. This will enable you to explain your symptoms in a manner they can comprehend. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have had an impact on every aspect of your life from relationships to work and how they've changed in time.
As part of the examination, you could be required to take some tests, such as the test for allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical problems Your therapist may suggest further tests to check for these, too.
If you self-refer or going through the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to understand that, even if you pay for your private evaluation, you still have to wait for NHS funded appointments - and this can differ between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another.
What is the outcome if I fail to receive a diagnosis?
You may be diagnosed with ADHD when you have a variety of factors in your favor. It can be harder for certain categories of people to be diagnosed, for example, when you are of colour or assigned female at birth or if you suffer from other mental health diagnoses like depression or bipolar disorder.
If you're struggling to get a diagnosis, talk to your GP and ask for a referral. You could also find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD evaluations. They can often offer more rapid service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also attempt to determine the cause of your problems including anxiety, depression or thyroid issues. This can be a very extensive process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence needed (for instance, 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 when your GP agrees to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist can only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you why.
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to seek treatment through the NHS. This applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You might be able to get medication through an Individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. diagnosing adhd adults could be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medicine you prefer. NHS specialists usually prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they don't always plan for lengthy titration periods.
Joining a support group, either in person or online, for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely helpful and comforting, and it can help to discuss your experiences with other people who can relate to your experience.
How do I get treatment?
Adults may be directed to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams. For instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a nationwide ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a significant number of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as valid, and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to care including long wait times and rejection of referrals (see below).
Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek private assessment and diagnoses to circumvent the NHS's lack of funding in this area. Private clinics offer a much faster and more professional, and generally understanding diagnosis. They also assist in screening for comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are common in ADHD. They can assist with titration of the final dosage. Costs vary from PS500-PS1,200, although the diagnosis and titration is priced 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. Non-drug interventions can be beneficial like education and training for parents and families of those with ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing an appropriate schedule for sleep can help. Others find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can ease their symptoms, although the evidence is not as extensive.
It is unacceptable that so many people suffering from ADHD are not receiving the treatment and care they require through the NHS. This issue must be addressed immediately by UK government officials and regulators and clinical organizations. Patients with ADHD deserve to have access to treatment, free from discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. To reduce this unmet demand it is essential to plan for long-term funding and to provide health, social and judicial services together. The current state of affairs cannot be endured and has a negative impact on families, individuals and society. It is now the time to invest in this area.