How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD, people often encounter the network gatekeepers. It is evident that many of these gatekeepers, particularly in NHS CCGs, do not follow national clinical guidelines and their legal obligation to avoid health inequality and discrimination.
Some private ADHD clinics may not be adequately regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This can lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that could create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I find out if I have a diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind and can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with specialist knowledge. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). Patients with mental health issues often report symptoms of ADHD especially those who have been struggling for a long time. This means that they can feel stuck in their current circumstances and are in desperate need of help to improve their life. The NHS can be confusing for those who are seeking a diagnosis.
You can get a diagnosis via the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously and might refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you might be required to wait until a specialist is available.
To determine if you have ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues that you may have faced in the past as well as your family history. To evaluate your behavior, they'll examine you in a variety of settings, such as at school, home, or work. adhd diagnosis uk adults will be asked to describe your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might also inquire about your relationships with friends, social life and other activities you take part in on a regular basis.
A specialist will look at all the evidence before making a diagnose. They will apply criteria, like being constantly distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span and having difficulty keeping up with school or work and having difficulty staying focused on work or tasks, not completing them and being extremely active. The diagnosis will be made by examining the presence of these characteristics in multiple settings, affecting your performance and if there is a clear pattern that has persisted for at least six years.
In adhd uk diagnosis there has been a rise in the number of celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase of people seeking a diagnosis. This can lead to long wait for healthcare professionals. Some patients and families choose to avoid the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics, which can be expensive. It is essential to choose a healthcare provider that you can trust and be honest about the symptoms you are experiencing.
What happens during the assessment?
The procedure of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person who is conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life, for example "What problems do you experience at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you experience any other symptoms you believe might be related to ADHD?"
Depending on the location you visit to get your assessment There may be different forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. It is essential to fill these out as quickly as you can so that your appointment won't be delayed. It is also essential to be familiar with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to recognize them and talk about their impact on your life.
The test will usually involve an interview with psychiatrists, specialist nurses or any other qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another condition or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss possible treatment options with you which could include medication.
It is important to keep in mind that GPs, nurses and psychologists may not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists It is therefore essential to prepare and practice your symptoms prior to going for the assessment. This will allow you to explain the impact that your symptoms are having in a manner that is easily understood by them. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have impacted on every aspect of your life from relationships to work and how they have changed in time.
You may have tests done in the course of your examination like a blood test to check for any allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical problems, your therapist might suggest additional tests to test for these, too.
You could be self-referring or using the Right to Choose Scheme, but you will still need to wait to get an appointment that is funded by the NHS. This varies from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician.
What is the outcome if I don't receive a diagnosis?
There are many factors that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for some groups of people to be diagnosed, such as if you are a person of color or assigned a female at birth or if you suffer from other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression.
If you are struggling to get an answer, you can talk to your GP about it and asking for an appointment with a psychiatrist. It is also a good idea to locate a private psychiatric service that specialises in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide an earlier 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 of your problem, such as depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. It can be a lengthy process and adults may 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. This is because a psychiatrist can only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they think that you don't meet the criteria, they will tell you why.
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to access treatment via the NHS. This applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You could also get medication through an Individual Funding Request but this depends on the location you live in. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medicine of your choice. NHS specialists prefer Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first and don't usually plan long titration phases.
Participating in a support group, whether in person or online for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be supportive and reassuring. It can also help to share your experience with other people who understand.
How can I get treatment?
Adults can be referred to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. 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 there are many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports, and patients are frequently denied receiving treatment. This is due to long waiting times or rejection of referrals.
Support groups at the meeting reported that many ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to avoid the insufficient NHS funding in this area. Private clinics offer a much quicker and more efficient and a more generalized diagnosis. They also assist in screening for comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are common in ADHD. They assist in titrating the final dose. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200 however, sometimes a diagnosis and titration is priced separately.
The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD varies from person to. The most popular treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug treatments are useful, such as training and education for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing an effective sleep schedule can help. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy may help their symptoms. However the evidence behind these therapies is less extensive.
It is unacceptable that so many adults with ADHD cannot get the medical and treatment they require through the NHS. The UK government, clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to address this situation. Patients with ADHD need access to treatment that is devoid of discrimination and consistent with their rights under the law. Long-term planning of funding, and joined up commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are crucial to address this need that is not being met. The current situation is not sustainable and the impact on individuals, families and society is hugely damaging. It is time to invest in this area.