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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK People suffering from ADHD often face a network of gatekeepers when seeking referral or assessment and support. It is clear that a number of these gatekeepers, particularly in NHS CCGs, are not following national clinical guidelines and their legal obligations to stop health inequalities and discrimination. Private ADHD clinics may not be adequately regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This may result in an inconsistency in diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer back to the NHS. How do I obtain an medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health condition that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with special expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only ones qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental illness often have ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a lengthy period of time. This means they may feel stuck in their current situation and are desperate for assistance to improve their lives. The NHS can be confusing for those looking for a diagnosis. It is possible to receive a diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for the referral to see an expert. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns, and may refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you might need to wait until the specialist is available. In order to assess your ADHD healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have had in the past as well as your family history. They will also observe you in different situations, such as at home, at school or at work to evaluate your behavior. They will ask you to write about 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 regularly. A doctor will take into consideration all the evidence before making an appropriate diagnosis. They will make use of criteria, for example, being perpetually active and fidgety, possessing a short attention span and having difficulty keeping up with work or at school and having difficulty staying focused on work, not finishing things and being overly active. The diagnosis is based on a pattern of traits that are present in multiple settings and affect your functioning. In the last few months, there has been an increase in the number of prominent individuals who have opened up about their experiences with being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a rise in the number of people seeking an assessment, which could cause long wait times for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families bypass the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This can be costly. It is important to choose a doctor you are comfortable with and answer honestly about your health issues. What happens during the process of assessment? The procedure of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP. The person doing 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 experience any other symptoms you believe could be related to ADHD?” Depending on where you go to get your assessment There may be different forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. It is important to fill these out as quickly as possible so that your appointment won't be delayed. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can recognize the signs and the ways they affect your life in detail. The test will usually involve an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will discuss with you the treatment options that could include medication. Be aware that nurses and GPs will not be as well-versed in adult ADHD as Psychiatrists. Therefore, it is important to identify your symptoms and practice them before you attend the examination. This will allow you to explain the impact your symptoms are having in a manner that is easily understood by them. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have affected on all aspects of your life from work to relationships, and how they have changed in time. You may have tests taken in the course of your examination for example, an examination of your blood to look for any allergies. If you suffer from any other medical issues, your therapist might suggest additional tests to look for these, too. adult adhd diagnosis uk 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 appointment funded by the NHS. This varies from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician. What happens if I don't have a diagnosis? There are a variety of factors that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It is more difficult for certain groups of people to get diagnosed, for instance if you are a person of colour or assigned female at birth or if you suffer from other mental health diagnoses like depression or bipolar disorder. If you're having difficulty getting a diagnosis, talk to your GP and ask for a referral. It is also a good idea to find a private psychiatric provider that specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They often provide a much faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will analyze your symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also determine if there are other reasons for your symptoms like depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. This can be a extensive process, 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). You may not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP is in agreement. This is because a psychiatrist will only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. If they believe that you don't meet the criteria, they'll tell you why. In the UK it is legal in the UK to get treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when you are diagnosed with ADHD. You might be able to obtain medication through an individual funding request, but it is contingent on where you live. You could be referred by your local specialist to prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they don't always plan for lengthy intervals of titration. adhd diagnosis uk adults is beneficial to join a support group for adults with ADHD in person and online. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring and can be a great way to share your story with people who understand. How can I receive treatment? Adults may be referred to ADHD specialist services for assessment and treatment. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a national ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a large number of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as valid, and patients often face difficulties in their access to treatment, notably long wait times and rejection of referrals (see below). Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome the insufficient NHS funding in this area. Private clinics offer a much quicker and more efficient, and generally understanding diagnosis. They also assist in screening for comorbidities like depression and anxiousness that are common in ADHD. They can assist with titration of the final dosage. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200, although sometimes a diagnosis and titration are priced separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from person to. Most people are treated with medication. These could be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta or atomoxetine like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug treatments are beneficial, like training and education for parents and families of individuals with ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD have found that changing their diet and developing an effective sleep schedule can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help ease their symptoms, but the evidence for these therapies is less extensive. It is inexcusable that so many adults with ADHD cannot get the treatment and care they require through the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to correct this situation. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment without discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. Long-term planning of funding, and a coordinated commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are crucial to reduce this unmet need. The current situation is not sustainable and the effect on individuals, families and society is hugely damaging. It's time to invest.