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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Patients with ADHD are often confronted with a network of gatekeepers when seeking referral or assessment and support. Full Review is clear that some of these gatekeepers in NHS CCGs aren't following national clinical guidelines or their legal obligations to avoid discrimination and health inequality. Anecdotal evidence suggests that certain private ADHD clinics aren't properly controlled. This can lead to different thresholds for diagnosis, and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I obtain an accurate diagnosis? ADHD is an illness of the mind which means it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are 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. This means that they feel trapped in their current situation and are in desperate need of assistance to improve their lives. However, the NHS can be difficult to navigate for people seeking a diagnosis. You can get a diagnosis via the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will take your concerns seriously and should be able to recommend you to an assessment, but you may need to wait while the specialist is available. To determine if you have ADHD healthcare professionals look at any mental health issues you might have faced in the past as well as your family history. They will also observe you in various situations, such as at the workplace, school or at home to evaluate your behavior. You will be asked to write about your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They might ask you questions about your social life, your relationships and other activities you participate in often. A specialist will review all the evidence before arriving at an assessment. They will use criteria such as being restless and fidgety all the time or having an insufficient memory for short-term events and having trouble staying focused and unable to keep up with school or work, not finishing tasks and being extremely active. The diagnosis will be made by examining the presence of these characteristics in a variety of settings that affect your performance, and if there is a clear pattern that has remained for at least six years. In recent months there has been a rise in the number of celebrities talking about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to an increase 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 costly. It is crucial to find a healthcare provider you are comfortable with and answer questions honestly about your medical conditions. What happens during the assessment process? The process of the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP. The person doing the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your life, such as “What difficulties do you encounter at home?”, “How do your symptoms affect your work?”, and “Do you experience any other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?” Depending on where you go to get your assessment there could be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. Complete these forms in a timely manner will prevent any delays in your appointment. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to identify the signs and how they affect your life in depth. The evaluation will typically include an interview with psychiatrists, specialist nurses or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your overall mental health, and the specific symptoms of ADHD to see if they are being caused by any other condition, or are unrelated to any other conditions (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss possible treatment options with you which may involve medication. It is important to remember that GPs, nurses and psychologists will not be as well-versed in adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists and therefore it is essential to practice and prepare your symptoms prior to going for an assessment. This will help you describe your symptoms in a manner they can comprehend. You will have to give examples of how your symptoms have impacted your life in all ways including your work, your relationships, and over time. You may have tests done as part of the assessment, such as an examination of your blood to look for any allergies. Your therapist may suggest additional tests to check for any medical problems. If you self-refer or are enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to understand that even though you pay for your private examination, you still have to wait for NHS funded appointments – and this can vary between NHS trusts and also from one doctor to another. What happens if how to get an adhd diagnosis uk don't have an answer to my question? You may be diagnosed with ADHD in the event that you have several factors that favor you. Certain groups could have a harder time getting diagnosed. For example when they are of color, were born female or if they have any other mental health issues, such as depression or bipolar disorder. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis, talk to your GP and request a referral. It is also a good idea to find a private psychiatric provider who specializes in adult ADHD evaluations. They can often offer a much faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will look at 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 symptoms like depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. It can be a lengthy process and adults may not have all the information they need. It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD, even if your GP will agree to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist will only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe that you do not meet the requirements, they will inform you the reason. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, it is legal in the UK to access treatment via the NHS. This applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You might be able to get medication through an Individual funding request, but it is contingent on where you live. You could be referred by your doctor to prescribe the medication you want. NHS specialists usually prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they do not usually plan for long titration periods. It is helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and on the internet. They can be helpful and reassuring. It can also be helpful to share your experience with others who understand. What can I do to receive treatment? Adults may be directed to ADHD specialist services for assessment and treatment. They are typically located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a nationwide ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not recognise these reports as valid and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to treatment, notably long wait times and rejection of referrals (see below for more details).). Support groups informed the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers are seeking private assessments and diagnoses to circumvent the NHS's lack of funding in this area. Private clinics provide a quicker and more efficient and a more generalized diagnosis. They can also be helpful in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are very common in ADHD and can assist with titration until the final dose of the medication. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are priced separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD differs between individuals. The most common treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Non-drug interventions can be helpful for education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have discovered that altering their diet and creating an effective sleep schedule can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, but the evidence is not as extensive. It is inexcusable that many adults with ADHD are unable to get the treatment and care they require on the NHS. This problem needs to be addressed urgently by UK government officials and regulators and clinical organizations. People with ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. Long-term planning of funding and joined up commissioning of social, health care and judicial services are crucial to reduce this unmet need. The current state of affairs cannot be sustained and has a negative impact on families, individuals and the society. It is now the time to invest in this area.