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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD Patients often have to deal with a network gatekeepers. It is clear that a number of these gatekeepers, notably in NHS CCGs, are disregarding national clinical guidelines and their legal duty to stop health inequalities and discrimination. Anecdotal evidence suggests that certain private ADHD clinics aren't adequately regulated. This can result in unreliable diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting that could create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I get a medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health issue which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are only certified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). People suffering from mental illness frequently report ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a long period of time. They may feel stuck in their current circumstances, and in desperate need of help. However it is true that the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for people seeking diagnosis. You can receive a diagnosis via the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and should be able refer you for an assessment but you may have to wait until the specialist is in. When evaluating for ADHD healthcare specialists will review the family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues you've had in the past. To determine your behavior, they'll observe you in various situations, like at school, home or at work. They will ask you to write about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask about your relationships with friends, social life and any other activities you take part in on a regular basis. A specialist will look at all of the evidence before making a diagnosis. They will make use of criteria, such as being persistently distracted and fidgety, having a short attention span or difficulty focusing at work or school and having difficulty staying focused on tasks, not finishing things and being overly active. The diagnosis will be based on the presence of these characteristics in a variety of settings that affect your performance and if there is a distinct pattern that has been evident for at minimum six years. In recent months there has been an increase in high-profile people sharing their stories of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase in the number of people seeking a diagnosis, which can result in long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS in order to have their medical examinations at private clinics. This could be costly. It is crucial to choose a doctor you are comfortable with and answer honestly about your symptoms. What happens during the assessment process? The procedure of assessing 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 questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. For instance, “What problems do experience at home?” “How does your symptoms impact your work?” “Do you have other symptoms you think may be related to ADHD?” Depending on the location you visit to get your assessment, there may be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete prior to your appointment. It is important 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 recognize the signs and how they impact your life in depth. The test will usually involve an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or any other qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another illness or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss the treatment options with you, which can involve medication. Remember that GPs and nurses will not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore crucial to prepare your symptoms and practice them before you take part in the assessment. This will enable you to explain your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have impacted on all aspects of your life from work to relationships and how they have changed over time. You might have some tests performed as part of the assessment for example, a blood test to check for any allergies. Your therapist may suggest additional tests to check for any medical conditions. You may be self-referring, or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, but you will still have to wait for an appointment that is funded by the NHS. This can vary from NHS trust to NHS trust, and from clinician to clinician. What happens if I don't get an answer to my question? There are several things that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be harder for some groups of people to be diagnosed, for example, those who are of color or a woman at birth, or if you have other mental health issues, such as depression or bipolar disorder. If you're having a hard time getting an answer, you can talk to your GP about the issue and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. You can also try to locate a private psychiatrist who is specialized in adult ADHD evaluations. They often provide more rapid 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 guideline. They will also attempt to rule out other causes of your issues, such as depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. uk adhd diagnosis can be a very thorough process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence needed (for instance, they may be unable to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD, even if your GP agrees to refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is able to diagnose ADHD when they believe your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they believe that you do not meet the criteria, they will tell you why. In the UK it is legal to access treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when you are diagnosed with ADHD. You could be able receive medication through an individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. You could be referred by your local specialist to prescribe the medication you want. NHS specialists recommend Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always make plans for long titration periods. It is helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and on the internet. They can be extremely helpful and comforting and can assist to share your story with others who understand. How can I get treatment? GPs may refer adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and treatment. These services are usually found in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example, the Maudsley Hospital, London, offers a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a large number of NHS healthcare providers do not recognize these reports as legitimate and patients often encounter blockages in their access to care including long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below). Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnoses to circumvent the NHS's lack of funding in this area. Private clinics provide a speedier and more professional, and generally understanding diagnosis. They are also helpful in identifying comorbidities such as depression and anxiety which are common in ADHD, and in helping in titrating to the final dosage of the medication. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes, a diagnosis and dosage are separately priced. The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD varies from person to person. The majority of people are treated with medication. This may be methylphenidates such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be helpful for education and training for parents and families of children with ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD find that a change in their diet helps, as well as developing a sleep-friendly routine. Others find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can help ease their symptoms, although the evidence is not as extensive. It is unacceptable that a lot of people suffering from ADHD are unable to get the treatment and care they require from the NHS. The UK government, clinical and regulatory authorities need to act urgently to correct this situation. People with ADHD need access to treatment that is devoid of discrimination and consistent with their legal rights. To meet this demand, it is vital to create long-term plans for funding and provide health, social care and judicial services in tandem. The current state of affairs is not sustainable and the impact on individuals, families and society is hugely damaging. It is time to invest in this area.