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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking assistance, referral or assessment for ADHD, people often encounter an array of gatekeepers in the network. It is clear that some of these gatekeepers within NHS CCGs are not following national guidelines for treating patients or their legal obligations to prevent discrimination and health inequality. Private ADHD clinics might not be properly regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This could lead to different thresholds for diagnosis, and assessment reporting that can cause issues when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I obtain an medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health issue that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only ones qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). Mentally ill people often have ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a long period of time. This means that they can be feeling stuck in their current circumstances and are desperate for assistance to improve their lives. However the NHS can be a challenge to navigate for those seeking diagnosis. It is possible to get a diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for an appointment with an expert. 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. In assessing you for ADHD healthcare professionals will look at your family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues that you've had in the past. They will also observe you in various settings, including at the workplace, school or at home to evaluate your behavior. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They might ask you questions about your social life, your relationships and other activities you participate in regularly. A specialist will look at all the evidence before deciding on an assessment. They will consider criteria like being irritable and fidgety at all times, having an insufficient memory for short-term events, having difficulty staying focused and unable to keep up in school or at work, failing to complete tasks and being overly energetic. The diagnosis is dependent on the pattern of behaviors that are present in multiple settings and affect your functioning. In recent months, there has been an increase in high-profile people speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in people seeking an assessment. This can lead to long wait times for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS in order to undergo assessments at private clinics. This is expensive. It is crucial to find a healthcare provider you can trust and answer honestly about your symptoms. What happens during the process of assessment? The process of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person who is conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, for example “What problems do you experience 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 the location you visit for your evaluation, there may be different forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. Filling out these forms as quickly as you can will help to avoid any delays during your appointment. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to recognise them and discuss how they impact your life in depth. The test will usually involve an interview with a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will discuss with you the options for treatment that may include medication. Be aware that nurses and GPs will not be as well-versed in adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore important to prepare your symptoms and practice them before you attend the evaluation. This will help you explain the impact your symptoms are having in a way that they can understand. You will have to give examples of how your symptoms have affected your life in all ways from your work to your relationships, and then over time. As part of the assessment you may have to undergo some tests, such as the test for allergies. If you have any other medical problems your therapist could suggest additional tests to test for these issues, too. You may 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 can differ from NHS trust to NHS trust, and from clinician to clinician. What is the outcome if I don't receive an answer to my question? There are a variety of factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. It is more difficult for certain groups of people to be diagnosed, such as those who are of color or a woman at birth or if you have other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or depression. If you're struggling to get an assessment, speak to your GP and request a referral. You could also find a private psychiatrist who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide a much faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will analyze your symptoms and decide if they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They'll also try to rule out other causes of your issues including anxiety, depression or thyroid issues. This can be a very thorough process, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for example they might be unable to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard). You might not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP is in agreement. A psychiatrist is able to diagnose ADHD in the event that they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think you do not meet the criteria, they'll inform you why. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to access treatment via the NHS. This is applicable to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You might be able to obtain medication through an individual funding request, however it will depend on where you live. You may be referred a specialist in your local area who will prescribe the medicine of your choice. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they don't always plan for lengthy intervals of titration. It is beneficial to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and on the internet. They can be a source of support and comforting. It can also help to share your experience with others who understand. What can I do to receive treatment? GPs can refer 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 an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS healthcare providers don't accept these reports and patients are often blocked from receiving treatment. This is due to long waiting periods or rejection of referrals. Support groups informed the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnosis to avoid NHS's lack of investment in this area. Private clinics provide a quicker and more efficient, and generally understanding diagnosis. They can also assist in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression that are prevalent in ADHD and can assist in titrating to the final dosage of the medication. Costs vary from PS500-PS1,200, although often a diagnosis and titration are priced separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD can vary from one person to another. Most people are treated with medication. These could be methylphenidates, like Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be beneficial for education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people with ADHD discover that a change in their diet can help, as does trying to develop a sleep-friendly routine. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy may aid in reducing symptoms. However the evidence behind these treatments is not as extensive. It is unacceptable that many people suffering from ADHD aren't able to receive the care and treatment they require on the NHS. IamPsychiatry needs to be addressed urgently by UK government officials and clinical and regulatory bodies. People with ADHD should have access to treatment, free from discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. To reduce this unmet demand, it is vital to plan long-term funding and create health, social care, and judicial services together. The current situation cannot be long-term and has a negative impact on individuals, their families and the society. It's time to invest.