How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

If you suspect you have ADHD, talk to your GP. They must consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.

You could also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment.

1. Talk to your doctor

The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for a diagnosis. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you could have to pay a fee. More details can be found on the NHS website.

Getting diagnosed with ADHD is a difficult thing to do particularly in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that about 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why you or your child may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses.

A specialist will determine whether your child or you suffers from ADHD based on observations as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. They will also take into consideration how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms might be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or behavior issues).

We recommend that you find an alternative GP If your current one doesn't treat ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for referrals, but it is worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.

Once you have been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. https://blogfreely.net/pianobamboo8/ten-things-youve-learned-in-kindergarden-that-will-help-you-with-adhd will request details about your child's symptoms, and the specialist should carry out an interview, questionnaire and medical examination. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They should also determine if you or your child has had similar symptoms before and compare the information. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.

2. Book an assessment with a specialist

There are several NHS specialization centers which can perform ADHD assessments. You will have to ask your GP to recommend one of these. You'll probably have to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it is recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. https://www.openlearning.com/u/osborneconley-sltboi/blog/The10ScariestThingsAboutAdultAdhdDiagnoses might ask for your school or job records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare staff about your childhood. It's important to remember that ADHD is not just a behavior issue - it is also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you're functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.

If you're an adult, your doctor will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But now we know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood and they will continue to have a significant impact on your life.

You will be given medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It is important to note that, when you are diagnosed privately, you will initially receive your medication through the NHS. The private clinician is likely to be able assist you with this, and usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement on shared care, so that you pay only the NHS prescription cost.

If you're in England you are legally entitled to select your doctor and mental health team. If you feel that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could book an online appointment with a specialist. This could be a quicker and cheaper alternative to visiting your GP.

3. You can ask your GP for an appointment

Talk to your GP in the event that you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD. Although they won't be in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal way but they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. They will then refer you to an expert to be assessed and treated. If they are on a long waiting list, they can find information on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed up this process.

Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.

During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if you meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases, they might need to rule out conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also have to rule out any alcohol or drug abuse.



If they find that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you will be able get ADHD medication on the NHS from your GP. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people prefer a mix of medications and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different.

It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you're unsure which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem too long, you can choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it.

4. Make an appointment with an expert

In the UK There are a variety of specialist services that offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can request your GP for a referral to these, or contact them directly. You can request a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private companies. You will be asked to provide details regarding your symptoms and how they affect your life and daily activities. They may also want to know details of your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.

Your psychiatrist will talk about the assessment process. They will talk about how your issues have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.

If you don't have a physician who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment You can always get one yourself by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive however it will provide you the fastest means to receive a diagnosis. If needed, your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for further treatment.

A competent psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are unsure, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with you. They will also take into account other health conditions that can hinder your ability to concentrate like addiction or depression.

Most people with ADHD are diagnosed as adults not as children. https://bollburt00.livejournal.com/profile is because the majority of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more challenges. This is particularly the case if you did not receive the appropriate support when you were an infant.

It can be difficult to receive a diagnosis when you're the minority group or are a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about what people with ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing you symptoms.