How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
People with ADHD typically have to deal with a number of gatekeepers when seeking referrals or assessment and support. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs aren't adhering to the national guidelines for clinical practice or their legal duty to avoid discrimination and health inequalities.
Private ADHD clinics may not be properly controlled, according to anecdotal reports. This can result in unreliable diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I obtain an appointment for a diagnosis?
ADHD is a mental illness that can only be diagnosed by a healthcare provider with specialist expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are only certified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). Patients with mental health issues frequently experience symptoms of ADHD particularly those who have struggled for a long period. This means they may be feeling stuck in their current situation and are desperate for help to improve their life. However it is true that the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for people seeking diagnosis.
You can receive an assessment through the NHS by asking your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and should be able to send you to a specialist for an examination but you may have to wait while the specialist is available.
To assess your ADHD medical professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have experienced in the past and your family history. To determine your behavior, they will observe you in different situations, including at school, home or at work. They will ask you to write about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might inquire about your social life, your relationships, and other activities that you do frequently.
A doctor will take into consideration all the evidence prior to making an assessment. They will apply criteria such as being persistently active and fidgety, possessing an insufficient attention span and having difficulty keeping up with work or school and having difficulty staying focused on work or tasks, not completing them and being a lot of active. 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 been evident for at least six years.
In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of celebrities 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. Some patients and their families avoid the NHS in order to undergo assessments at private clinics. This could be costly. It is important to choose the right healthcare provider who you can trust and be honest about your symptoms.
What happens during the process of assessment?
Whether you're self-referring or getting recommended by your GP the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is similar. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, for example "What issues do you face at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you experience any other symptoms you believe could be related to ADHD?"
You may need to fill out various questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment, based on where you are going for your examination. Complete these forms as quickly as you can will ensure that you don't have any delays in your appointment. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the signs of ADHD to be able to recognize them and talk about their impact on your life.
The evaluation will usually include an interview with 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 illness or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss the treatment options with you, which could include medication.
Be aware that nurses and GPs are not as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as Psychiatrists. It is therefore important to plan your symptoms and practice them prior to when you attend the evaluation. This will allow you to describe your symptoms in a way they can comprehend. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have affected on all aspects of your life, from work to relationships and how they have changed over time.
As part of the evaluation, you might be required to take certain tests, for instance the test for allergies. Your therapist may suggest additional tests to determine if you have other medical issues.
You could be self-referring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll still need to wait until you can get an NHS-funded appointment. This can vary from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician.
What happens if I don't get a diagnosis?
There are many factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. It is more difficult for some categories of people to be diagnosed, such as those who are of color or a woman at birth or if you suffer from other mental health diagnoses like bipolar disorder or depression.
If you're struggling to get a diagnosis, talk to your GP and request a referral. It's also worth trying to locate a private psychiatric service who specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They can provide a more rapid service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will analyze your symptoms and determine 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 for example, depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. It's a long procedure and adults might not have all the information they need.
You might not be diagnosed with ADHD even you and your GP accepts. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD when they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe that you don't 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 could be able get medication through an Individual funding request, however it will depend on the location you reside in. You could be referred to a specialist in your local area who will prescribe the medicine of your choice. NHS specialists usually prefer Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they do not always plan for long intervals of titration.
It can be helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and on the internet. They can be very helpful and comforting and can be a great way to talk through your experience with other people who can relate to your experience.
How can I receive treatment?
diagnosis of adhd can recommend adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and medication. They are typically located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a national ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports and patients are frequently denied accessing care. This is due to long waiting times or the rejection of referrals.
Support groups informed the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome the NHS's inability to invest in this area. Private clinics offer a much speedier and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness, which are common in ADHD. They can assist with titration of the final dosage. The cost is ranging from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced.
The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD differs from person to. Most people are treated with medications. It could be methylphenidates, like Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be helpful like education and training for families and parents of those with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD discover that a change in their diet helps, as well as trying to establish a relaxing sleep routine. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However the evidence supporting these therapies isn't as strong.
It is inexcusable that many adults with ADHD aren't able to receive the care and treatment they require from the NHS. This problem needs to be addressed urgently by UK governments as well as regulatory and clinical bodies. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment, free from discrimination and in line with their legal rights. To address this unmet need, it is vital to create long-term plans for 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.