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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD People often come across a network gatekeepers. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs are not following the national guidelines for clinical practice or their legal duty to prevent discrimination and health inequality. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that certain private ADHD clinics aren't properly regulated. This could lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that could cause issues when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I obtain a medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental illness, which means it is only diagnosed by a healthcare professional with specialized knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are only certified to diagnose ADHD 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 be feeling stuck in their current situation and are in desperate need of help to improve their life. However, the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for those seeking a diagnosis. It is possible to get an assessment through the NHS by asking your GP for the referral to see a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and could refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you may need to wait until the specialist is available. In order to assess your ADHD, healthcare experts will look into any mental health issues you might have experienced in the past as well as your family history. To determine your behavior, they will observe you in various settings, such as at home, school, or work. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They might inquire about your social life, your relationships, and other activities you engage in often. A specialist will look at all the evidence before making a diagnosis. They will use criteria like being irritable and fidgety at all times or having short-term memory issues, having difficulty staying focused, having difficulty keeping up at school or at work, not finishing tasks and being overly energetic. The diagnosis will be made based on the presence of these traits in a variety of settings, which affects your functioning and if there's a clear pattern that has persisted for at least six years. In recent months, there has been a rise in the number of celebrities speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in the number of people 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 that 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 process? The procedure of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, like “What difficulties do you encounter at home?”, “How do your symptoms affect your work?”, and “Do you have any other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?” Depending on the location you visit to get your assessment there could be different forms or questionnaires available for you to complete prior to your appointment. Filling out these forms in a timely manner will help to avoid any delays to your appointment. It's also important to become familiar with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to recognise the signs and the ways they affect your life in depth. The test will usually involve an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or a healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss possible treatment options with you which could include medication. It's worth remembering that nurses, GPs and psychologists may not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists who specialize in it and therefore it is essential to practice and prepare your symptoms before you go for an assessment. This will allow you to describe your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll have to provide examples on how your symptoms affect your life in all ways from your work to your relationships, and then over time. You may have tests performed in the course of your examination, such as an examination of your blood to look for any allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical problems your therapist could suggest additional tests to look for these, too. You may be self-referring, or using the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll 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 fail to get an appointment? You may be diagnosed with ADHD in the event that you have a number of factors that favor you. Certain groups might be more difficult to get diagnosed. For example that they are of color or were assigned female at birth or if they have other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression. If you're having difficulty getting a diagnosis, talk to your GP and ask for a referral. It is also a good idea to locate a private psychiatric clinic who specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They can provide a more rapid service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and decide whether they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also determine if there are other reasons for your symptoms like depression, anxiety, or thyroid issues. This is a thorough process, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence needed (for instance, they may have trouble finding old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard). adhd diagnosis for adults may not be diagnosed with ADHD even you and your GP accepts. This is because a psychiatrist will only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. If they believe that you do not meet the criteria, they'll inform you the reason. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to seek treatment through 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 location you live in. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medicine you prefer. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first and don't make plans for long titration periods. Participating in a support group, either in person or online for adults suffering from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely helpful and comforting and can assist to share your story with other people who can relate to your experience. How do I get treatment? Doctors can refer adults to specialists ADHD services to be assessed and prescribed medication. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example, the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports, and patients are often blocked from accessing care. This is due to long waiting times or rejection of referrals. Support groups at the meeting revealed that many ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to avoid the lack of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics provide a faster and more professional, and generally understanding diagnosis. They can also help screen for comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression that are common in ADHD. They can also help with titration of the final dose. The cost can vary from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD can vary from one person to another. The majority of people are treated with medications. These could be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug treatments are beneficial, like education and training for parents and families of individuals with ADHD. Some people with ADHD discover that a change in diet can help, as does developing a sleep-friendly routine. Some people find that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can aid in reducing symptoms. However, the evidence for these therapies isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that a lot of people suffering from ADHD are not able to access the treatment and care they require on the NHS. This issue must be addressed urgently by UK governments as well as regulators and clinical organizations. People suffering from ADHD need access to treatment without discrimination and in accordance with their rights under the law. To address this unmet need, it is vital to plan for long-term funding and to provide health, social care and judicial services together. The current state of affairs cannot be long-term and has a negative impact on families, individuals and society. It is now the time to invest in this area.