How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking assistance, referral or assessment for ADHD People often come across a network gatekeepers. It is clear that a number of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, are disregarding the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligations to prevent health inequality and discrimination.
Certain private ADHD clinics may not be properly controlled as per reports from anecdotal sources. This could result in an inconsistency in diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I get an accurate diagnosis?
ADHD is an illness of the mind that can only by diagnosed by a healthcare provider with specialist expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). Mentally ill people frequently report ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a long period of time. why not find out more may feel stuck in their current circumstances, and in desperate need of assistance. However the NHS can be a challenge to navigate for people seeking diagnosis.
You can get an assessment through the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will take your concerns seriously and should be able to send you to a specialist for an examination, but you may need to wait while the specialist is available.
When evaluating for ADHD, healthcare professionals will look at the family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues you have experienced in the past. To evaluate your behavior, they'll observe you in different situations, like at school, home or at work. You will be asked to write about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may also inquire about your social life, relationships and any other activities you do on a regular basis.
A specialist will look at all the evidence before arriving at a diagnose. They will use criteria for example, being perpetually distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span, difficulty keeping up at work or school and having difficulty staying focused on work, not finishing things and being a lot of active. The diagnosis will be based on the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your performance and if there is an identifiable pattern that has remained for at least six years.
In recent months there has been a rise in celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a rise in the number of people who are seeking an assessment, which could lead to long waiting times for healthcare professionals. Some patients and families choose to avoid the NHS by undergoing assessments at private clinics which can be costly. It is important to find a healthcare provider you trust and be prepared to answer honestly about your medical conditions.
What happens during the assessment process?
The method 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 affect your daily life, like "What issues do you face at home?", "How do your symptoms impact on work?", and "Do you have any other symptoms that you think might be related to ADHD?"
Depending on where you go to get your assessment There may be different forms or questionnaires available for you to fill out prior to your appointment. It is important to complete these forms as quickly as you can so that your appointment doesn't get delayed. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD to ensure that you recognize them and discuss the ways they affect your life in depth.
The assessment will typically include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nursing staff or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they are caused by another condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss possible treatment options with you which could include medication.
It is important to remember that nurses, GPs and psychologists may not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists who specialize in it It is therefore essential to prepare and practice your symptoms before you go to the test. This will allow you to describe your symptoms in a way they can understand. 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've changed over time.
You may have tests done in the course of your examination, such as the blood test to look for any allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical problems your therapist could suggest additional tests to look for these issues, too.
You may be self-referring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll still need to wait until you can get an appointment funded by the NHS. This varies from NHS trust to NHS trust, as well as from clinician to clinician.
What is the outcome if I don't receive an answer to my question?
You may be diagnosed with ADHD if you have a number of factors that favor you. It can be harder for certain categories of people to be diagnosed, such as if you are a person of color or a woman at birth or if you have other mental health diagnoses like depression or bipolar disorder.
If you are having a hard time getting a diagnosis, consider speaking to your GP about it and asking for the referral to a psychiatrist. You could also find a private psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD assessments. They can offer a faster service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also determine if there are other causes of your problem like depression, anxiety or thyroid problems. It's a long procedure and adults might not have all the information they require.
It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD, even the GP agrees to refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is able to diagnose ADHD in the event that they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you the reason.
In the UK, it is legal to seek treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland if you are diagnosed with ADHD. You could be able receive medication through an individual funding request, however it will depend on the location you reside in. You may be referred by your local specialist to prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists are more likely to prescribe Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first, and they do not always plan for long time periods of titration.
Participating in a support group, either in person or online for adults suffering from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely positive and reassuring and can be a great way to talk through your experience with others who understand.
How can I receive treatment?
Adults can be referred to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a nationwide ADHD adult diagnostic service. However there are many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports and patients are frequently denied receiving treatment. This is due to lengthy waiting times or the rejection of referrals.
Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers are seeking private assessments and diagnosis to avoid the NHS's inability to invest in this area. Private clinics offer a much faster and more professional, and generally understanding diagnosis. They can also help screen for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness, which are common in ADHD. They assist in titrating the final dosage. Costs vary from PS500-PS1,200 however, sometimes a diagnosis and titration are charged separately.
The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD is different from person to person. The most popular treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug interventions can be beneficial, like education and training for parents and the families of those with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that altering their diet and creating an effective sleep schedule can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, although the evidence on these isn't as strong.
It is unacceptable that so many adults with ADHD cannot get the medical and treatment they require through the NHS. This issue must be addressed immediately by UK governments as well as clinical and regulatory bodies. People with ADHD should have access to treatment without discrimination and in line with their legal rights. To address this unmet need it is essential to create long-term plans for funding and commission health, social, and judicial services together. The current situation isn't sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and society is hugely damaging. It's time to invest.