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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Patients with ADHD often face a network of gatekeepers when seeking referrals assessment, support and referral. It is evident that a number of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, do not follow the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligation to avoid health inequality and discrimination. Anecdotal evidence suggests certain private ADHD clinics aren't adequately regulated. This could result in uncoordinated diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I find out if I have an accurate diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health condition which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has expertise. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). Mentally ill people often report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have been struggling for a long period of time. This means that they can feel trapped in their current circumstances and are desperate for help to improve their life. However, the NHS can be a challenge to navigate for people seeking a diagnosis. You can receive an assessment through the NHS by asking your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and may refer you to specialists for an evaluation. However, you might have to wait until the specialist is available. To determine if you have ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have faced in the past and your family history. They will be observing you in various situations, such as at home, at school or at work, to assess your behaviour. They will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might inquire about your social life, your relationships, and other activities that you do often. A doctor will take into consideration all of the evidence before making a diagnosis. They will use criteria such as being restless and fidgety throughout the day or having short-term memory issues or difficulty focusing and unable to keep up at school or at work, not finishing tasks and being overly energetic. The diagnosis is determined by an array of characteristics that can be observed in different 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 resulted in an increase in people seeking a diagnosis. This can result in long wait for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to avoid the NHS through assessments at private clinics, which can be expensive. It is crucial to find a healthcare provider you can trust and answer any questions honestly regarding your health issues. What happens during the assessment? Whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP, the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is essentially the same. The person conducting the test 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?” You may have to fill out different questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment, depending on the location you're taking for your assessment. Complete these forms in a timely manner will ensure that you don't have any delays in your appointment. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can identify the signs and the ways they affect your life in depth. The test will usually involve an interview with either a psychiatrist, specialist nursing staff or a healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they are caused by another condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will go over with you the treatment options that could include medications. It is important to keep in mind that GPs, nurses and psychologists may not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists with specialization It is therefore essential to prepare and practice your symptoms before you go for the assessment. This will enable you to communicate the impact your symptoms are having in a way that is easily understood by them. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have had an impact on all aspects of your life, from work to relationships, and how they have changed in time. There may be tests done as part of the assessment for example, the blood test to look for any allergies. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to determine if you have other medical problems. 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 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 don't have a diagnosis? There are a variety of factors that could prevent you from being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for some groups of people to get diagnosed, for instance if you are a person of color or assigned a female at birth or if you suffer from other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression. If you're struggling to get a diagnosis, consider speaking to your GP about the issue and ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist. You can also try to find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide a much faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also attempt to determine the cause of your problems like anxiety, depression or thyroid issues. It's a lengthy procedure and adults might not have all the information they require. It's also possible that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP is willing to refer you. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD when they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe you don't meet the criteria, they will tell you why. In the UK it is legal to seek treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when you have been diagnosed with ADHD. You may be able to receive medication through an individual funding request, however it will depend on where you live. You may be referred to the right specialist in your area who will prescribe the medication you prefer. NHS specialists prefer Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first and don't usually think of long titration cycles. It can be helpful to join a support group for adults with ADHD in person and on the internet. They can be extremely positive and reassuring, and it can help to discuss your experiences with others who understand. What can I do to get treatment? Doctors can recommend adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and medication. These services are typically located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For instance the Maudsley Hospital, London, offers a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as legitimate and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to treatment such as long wait times and rejection of referrals (see below). Support groups at the consensus meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to overcome the lack of NHS funding in this area. Private clinics offer a more precise, professional and quicker diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression that are common in ADHD. They assist with titration of the final dose. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200, although sometimes a diagnosis and titration are priced separately. diagnosed with adhd I Am Psychiatry and diagnosis for ADHD can vary from individual to individual. The most commonly used treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Non-drug interventions can be helpful, such as education and training for parents and families of those with ADHD. Some people suffering from ADHD discover that a change in their diet can help, as well as trying to establish a relaxing sleep routine. Others find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can ease their symptoms, although the evidence on these isn't as strong. It is inexcusable that so many adults with ADHD cannot get the treatment and care they require through the NHS. This issue must be addressed immediately by UK governments and regulatory and clinical bodies. People with ADHD should have access to treatment without discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. To reduce this unmet demand it is essential to plan for long-term funding and to create health, social, and judicial services together. The current situation isn't sustainable and the effect on individuals, families and society is incredibly damaging. It's time to invest.