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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking referral assessment or support for ADHD Patients often have to deal with the network gatekeepers It is clear that a lot of these gatekeepers especially in NHS CCGs are disregarding the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination Anecdotal evidence suggests that some private ADHD clinics arent properly regulated This may result in uncoordinated diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer back to the NHS How do I obtain a medical diagnosis ADHD is a mental health condition that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has special expertise This includes psychologists and psychiatrists who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK People with mental illnesses often report ADHD symptoms especially those who have struggled for a long period of time They may feel stuck in their current situation and are desperate for help The NHS can be confusing for those looking for the diagnosis You can get an assessment through the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to an expert Your GP will take your concerns seriously and may refer you to an expert for an assessment However you might have to wait until the specialist is available To determine if you have ADHD healthcare experts will look into any mental health issues you may have had in the past and your family history To evaluate your behavior they will observe you in different settings such as at home school or at work You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they impact your daily life They might also inquire about your relationships social life and any other activities that you do on a regular basis A specialist will examine all the evidence before making a diagnose They will use criteria like being unrestful and fidgety throughout the day and having shortterm memory issues and having trouble staying focused having difficulty keeping up with school or work not finishing tasks and being overly energetic The diagnosis will be made by examining the presence of these traits in multiple settings affecting your functioning and if there is an identifiable pattern that has remained for at minimum six years In adhd uk diagnosis there has been a rise in the number of 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 their families bypass the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics This is expensive It is important to find a healthcare provider you can trust and answer any questions honestly regarding your symptoms What happens during the assessment The method of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same whether you selfrefer or are referred to by your GP The person who conducts the assessment will ask questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life For example What problems do experience at home How does your symptoms affect your work Do you have other symptoms you think may be related to ADHD Depending on the location you visit for your evaluation there could be various forms or questionnaires for you to fill out prior to your appointment Filling out these forms in a timely manner will prevent any delays to your appointment It is also essential to be familiar with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to recognize them and talk about their impact on your life The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff or a qualified healthcare professional The therapist will evaluate your overall mental health and the specific signs of ADHD to see if they are being caused by any other condition or are unrelated to any other medical condition NICE guidelines The clinician will then discuss the treatment options with you which can involve medication Its worth remembering that nurses GPs and psychologists may not be as wellversed in adult ADHD as Psychiatrists with specialization and therefore it is essential to prepare and practice your symptoms before you go for an assessment This will enable you to communicate the impact your symptoms are having in a manner that is understandable to them You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have affected on all aspects of your life from work to relationships and how theyve changed in time You may have tests taken as part of your assessment for example an examination of your blood to look for any allergies If you suffer from any other medical issues your therapist might suggest additional tests to test for these issues too You could be selfreferring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme but you will still need to wait to get an appointment funded by the NHS This can differ from NHS trust to NHS trust as well as from clinician to clinician What happens if I dont have a diagnosis There are a variety of factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD Certain groups might have a difficult time getting diagnosed For example if 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 are having difficulty getting a diagnosis consider speaking to your GP about it and asking for a referral to a psychiatrist It is also a good idea to find a private psychiatric provider that specialises in adult ADHD evaluations They often provide a much faster service than the NHS The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms to determine if they match the Nice guidelines for ADHD They will also rule out other possible causes for your issue such as depression anxiety or thyroid issues This can be a very extensive process and its not always easy for adults to provide all the evidence required for instance they may have trouble finding old school reports in the back of the cupboard Its also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP agrees to refer you A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD if they believe that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment If they think you do not meet the criteria theyll tell you the reason In the UK it is legal to seek treatment through the NHS in England Wales and Northern Ireland in the event that you have been diagnosed with ADHD You could be able receive medication through an individual funding request but it is contingent on where you live You may be referred to a specialist in your local area who will prescribe the medication of your choice NHS specialists are more likely to prescribe Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first They do not always plan for long intervals of titration It is helpful to join a support group for adults with ADHD in person and online They can be a source of support and comforting It can also help to share your experience with others who can relate to What can I do to receive treatment Doctors can recommend adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and medication Typically these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams For instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an allencompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service However many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports and patients are frequently denied getting care This is due to lengthy waiting times or the rejection of referrals Support groups informed the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers are seeking private assessments and diagnosis to avoid the NHSs lack of funding in this area Private clinics can provide a speedier and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis They can also assist in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are very common in ADHD and also in helping with titration to the final dosage of the medication Costs vary from PS500PS1200 although often a diagnosis and titration are charged separately The treatment and diagnosis for ADHD is different from individual to individual The most popular treatment is medication and this may be in the form of methylphenidates Ritalin Concerta or atomoxetine Strateva Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial such as education and training for families and parents of people with ADHD Some people with ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing an appropriate schedule for sleep can help Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help with their symptoms but the evidence on these is not as extensive It is inexcusable that so many adults suffering from ADHD cannot access the treatment and care they need through the NHS The UK government the clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to rectify this issue Patients with ADHD need access to treatment that is free of discrimination and in line with their rights under the law Longterm planning of funding and a coordinated commissioning of social health care and judicial services are crucial to reduce this unmet need The current situation isnt sustainable and the impact on families individuals and society is incredibly damaging Its time to invest
