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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK People suffering from ADHD typically have to deal with a number of gatekeepers when seeking referral assessment, support and referral. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs aren't adhering to national clinical guidelines or their legal obligations to stop discrimination and health inequalities. Some private ADHD clinics might not be properly controlled according to reports from anecdotal sources. This could result in uncoordinated diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I obtain a medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental illness that can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are only certified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental health conditions frequently experience symptoms of ADHD, especially those who have struggled for a long time. This means they may feel trapped in their current situation and are in desperate need of help to improve their life. However the NHS can be difficult to navigate for those who are seeking a diagnosis. You can get an appointment with the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will take your concerns seriously and could refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you might have to wait until the specialist is available. When assessing for ADHD healthcare experts will examine the family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues that you've had in the past. To assess your behavior, they will examine you in a variety of situations, like at home, school, or work. They will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might ask you questions about your social life, your relationships and other activities that you do frequently. diagnosing adhd will review all the evidence before arriving at a diagnose. They will apply criteria like being constantly restless and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span or difficulty focusing at school or work and having difficulty staying focused on work, not finishing things and being overly active. The diagnosis will be based on the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your functioning and if there's an identifiable pattern that has been evident for at least six years. In recent months there has been a rise in the number of celebrities talking about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in the number of people seeking an assessment, which could cause long wait times for healthcare professionals. Many patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS through assessments at private clinics, which can be expensive. It is crucial to select an healthcare provider you trust and be honest about your symptoms. What happens during the test? The method of the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person doing 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 impact on work?”, and “Do you experience any other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?” You may need to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment, depending on the location you're going to for your assessment. It is essential to complete these forms in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment won't be delayed. It's also important to become familiar with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to identify the signs and the ways they affect your life in depth. The assessment will typically include an interview with a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff or a qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health overall and the symptoms of ADHD to determine whether they are caused by any other condition or are not related to any other condition (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then go over possible treatment options with you which may involve medication. Keep in mind that nurses and doctors are not as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. Therefore, it is important to prepare your symptoms and practice them before you go to the examination. This will help you describe your symptoms in a way they can comprehend. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have affected your life in all ways from your work to your relationships, and over time. As part of the evaluation, you might be required to take certain tests, for instance a test for allergies. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to check whether you have any other medical problems. If you self-refer or are enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to remember that even though you pay for your private examination, you still have to wait for NHS approved appointments. And this may differ between NHS trusts and from one physician to another. What happens if I don't get a diagnosis? There are several things that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for some groups of people to be diagnosed, for example, if you are a person of color or assigned a female at birth, or if you have other mental health diagnoses like bipolar disorder or depression. If you're having difficulty getting an answer, you can talk to your GP about the issue and ask for the referral to a psychiatrist. You can also try to locate a private psychiatrist who specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide a much faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and decide if they meet the criteria for ADHD using the Nice guidelines as a guideline. They will also determine if there are other reasons for your symptoms like anxiety, depression or thyroid problems. This can be a very extensive process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for example they might be unable to locate old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD even the GP is willing to refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD if they believe that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they think that you don't meet the criteria, they will inform you the reason. If you have 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 may also be able to access medication through an Individual Funding Request but this depends on the area you live in. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medicine you prefer. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first, and they do not usually plan for long intervals of titration. It is beneficial to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and online. They can be helpful and calm. It can also be helpful to share your story with other people who understand. How do I get treatment? Adults can be referred to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance, the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However there are many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports and patients are often blocked from getting care. This is due to long waiting times or rejection of referrals. Support groups at the consensus meeting revealed that many ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome the lack of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics offer a much quicker and more efficient and a more generalized diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness that are common in ADHD. They can also help with titration of the final dosage. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200 however, often a diagnosis and titration are charged separately. The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is different from person to. The most popular treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Non-drug interventions can be helpful for education and training for families and parents of people with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD discover that a change in diet helps, as well as developing a sleep-friendly routine. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy may alleviate their symptoms. However the evidence behind these therapies isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that many adults suffering from ADHD are not able to access the treatment and care they need on the NHS. This issue must be addressed immediately by UK governments as well as clinical and regulatory bodies. People suffering from ADHD must have access to treatment that is devoid of discrimination and consistent with their rights under the law. To address this unmet need it is essential to plan long-term funding and provide health, social, and judicial services together. The current situation isn't sustainable and the effect on individuals, families and society is hugely damaging. It's time to invest.