How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD People often come across an array of gatekeepers in the network. It is evident that a number of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, are disregarding national clinical guidelines and their legal duty to prevent health inequality and discrimination.
Private ADHD clinics might not be properly controlled, according to anecdotal reports. This can result in different thresholds for diagnosis, and assessment reporting, which can cause issues when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I find out if I have an appointment for a diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind, meaning it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has special expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often have ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a lengthy period of time. This means they may be feeling stuck in their current situation and need help to improve their life. The NHS can be difficult for those trying to find the diagnosis.
It is possible to get an diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for an appointment with an expert. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and may refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you might have to wait until the specialist is available.
In order to assess your ADHD medical professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have had in the past and your family history. To determine your behavior, they will observe you in various situations, including at home, school or at work. You will be asked to explain your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask about your relationships, social life and any other activities you take part in on a regular basis.
A specialist will consider all of the evidence before making an assessment. They will apply criteria, like being constantly active and fidgety, possessing an insufficient amount of attention and having difficulty keeping up with school or work, having trouble staying focused on tasks or tasks, not completing them and being overly active. The diagnosis will be made by examining the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your performance and if there's an identifiable pattern that has persisted 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 led to an increase in people seeking a diagnosis. This can result in long waiting for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families avoid the NHS in order to have their medical examinations at private clinics. This is expensive. It is essential to find a healthcare provider you are comfortable with and answer questions honestly about your medical conditions.
What happens during the assessment process?
The method of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, like "What problems do you experience at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you have any other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?"
You may be required to fill out different forms or questionnaires before your appointment, depending on where you are going for your evaluation. It is essential to fill these out in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment won't be delayed. It's also important to become familiar with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to recognise them and discuss how they impact your life in detail.
The assessment will usually include an interview with psychiatrists, specialist nurses or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health overall and the specific signs of ADHD to see if they are being caused by any other condition or unrelated to any other conditions (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss possible treatment options with you which could include medication.
It is important to keep in mind that nurses, GPs and psychologists will not be as familiar with adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists, so it is important to practice and prepare your symptoms prior to going for an assessment. This will enable you to communicate the impact that your symptoms are having in a way that they can understand. You'll need to provide examples on how your symptoms affect your life in all aspects from your work to your relationships, and over time.
As part of the examination, you may have to undergo certain tests, like an allergy test. If you suffer from any other medical conditions your therapist could suggest additional tests to look for these, too.
You may be self-referring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll have to wait for an appointment funded by the NHS. This can vary from NHS trust to NHS trust, as well as from clinician to clinician.
What happens if I don't get an appointment?
There are many factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be harder for certain groups of people to be diagnosed, for example, if you are a person of color or a woman at birth, or if you have other mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
If you are struggling to get a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about it and asking for a referral to a psychiatrist. It's also worth trying to locate a private psychiatric service that specialises in adult ADHD tests. They can provide a more rapid service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they fit the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also look for other possible causes for your issue like depression, anxiety, or thyroid issues. This can be a very thorough process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for instance, they may be unable to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard).
It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD, even the GP will agree to refer you. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD in the event that they believe your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they think you don't meet the criteria, they'll tell 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 receive medication through an individual funding request, however it will depend on where you live. You may be referred to your local specialist to prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists prefer Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always plan long titration phases.
Joining a support group, whether 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 people who understand.
How can I get treatment?
GPs can recommend adults to specialist ADHD 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 significant number of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as legitimate and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to healthcare, notably long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below).
Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to circumvent the lack of NHS funding in this area. Private clinics offer a more precise, professional and quicker diagnosis. They can also be helpful in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression that are prevalent in ADHD, and in helping with titration to the final dosage of the medication. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced.
The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD will differ from person to person. adhd undiagnosed in adults of people are treated using medications. These could be methylphenidates, like Ritalin or Concerta or atomoxetine like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be helpful, such as education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD find that a change in diet can help, as does trying to establish a relaxing sleep routine. Some people find that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However the evidence supporting these therapies isn't as strong.
It is inexcusable that many adults with ADHD are not able to access the care and treatment they need on the NHS. This situation must be addressed urgently by UK government officials and regulators and clinical organizations. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment that is devoid of discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. To reduce this unmet demand, it is vital to plan long-term funding and provide health, social care, 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.