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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 referrals, assessment and support. It is clear that a lot of these gatekeepers, particularly in NHS CCGs, are disregarding the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal obligations to avoid health inequality and discrimination. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that some private ADHD clinics are not sufficiently controlled. This can lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting, which can create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I get an accurate diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health issue that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has special expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are only qualified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). People with mental health conditions frequently report symptoms of ADHD, especially those who have struggled for a long time. This means that they can feel stuck in their current situation and need help to improve their life. However, the NHS can be difficult to navigate for those seeking diagnosis. It is possible to receive an diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for a referral to see an expert. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and be able to send you to a specialist for an examination, but you may need to wait until the specialist is in. To assess your ADHD, healthcare experts will look into any mental health issues that you may have had 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 evaluate your behavior. They will ask you to write about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may also ask about your social life, relationships and other activities you take part in on a regular basis. A specialist will review all the evidence before arriving at a diagnose. They will make use of criteria such as being persistently distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span, difficulty keeping up at school or work, having trouble staying focused on work or tasks, not completing them and being a lot of active. The diagnosis is dependent on a pattern of traits that can be observed in different environments and affect your performance. In recent months, there has been an increase in high-profile people 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 be assessed at private clinics. This can be expensive. It is essential to find a healthcare provider you trust and be prepared to answer honestly about your medical conditions. What happens during the assessment process? The procedure of the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your life, such as “What problems do you experience at home?”, “How do your symptoms impact on work?”, and “Do you have any other symptoms you believe could be related to ADHD?” You may need to fill out different forms or questionnaires before your appointment, based on the location you're going to for your assessment. Filling out these forms in a timely manner will ensure that you don't have any delays during your appointment. It's also important to become familiar with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD to ensure that you recognise them and discuss the ways they affect your life in depth. 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 overall, and the specific symptoms of ADHD to see if they are being caused by any other condition or unrelated to any other condition (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss treatment options with you, which may involve medication. It's worth remembering that GPs, nurses and psychologists may not be as familiar with adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists and therefore it is essential to prepare and practice your symptoms before you go for an assessment. This will enable you to describe your symptoms in a manner they can comprehend. You'll need to provide examples on how your symptoms affect your life in all areas from your work to your relationships, and then over time. As part of the examination, you may have to undergo certain tests, like an allergy test. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to determine whether you have any other medical conditions. You could be self-referring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, but you will still need to wait to get an appointment funded by the NHS. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis varies from NHS trust to NHS trust, as well as from clinician to clinician. What is the outcome if I don't receive a diagnosis? You may be diagnosed with ADHD in the event that you have several things in your favor. It can be harder for certain categories of people to be diagnosed, such as when you are of color or a woman at birth or if you have other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or depression. If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about the issue and ask for the referral to a psychiatrist. You can also try to find a private doctor who is skilled in adult ADHD assessments. They usually provide a much faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine whether they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also try to determine the cause of your issues, such as depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. It's a long procedure and adults might not have all the information they need. It is possible that you are not diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP is in agreement. This is because a psychiatrist will only determine that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe that you do not meet the criteria, they will inform you the reason. In the UK, it is legal to access treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when you have been diagnosed with ADHD. You may be able to obtain medication through an individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. You may be referred to your physician to prescribe the medication you want. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they don't always plan for lengthy titration periods. Participating in a support group, whether in person or on the internet for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring and can assist to share your story with other people who can relate to your experience. How can I get treatment? Adults are referred to ADHD specialist services for assessment and treatment. These services are usually found in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example, the Maudsley Hospital, London, provides a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as valid and patients often encounter blockages in their access to care such as long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below). Support groups at the meeting noted that a lot of ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to circumvent the absence of NHS funding in this area. Private clinics can provide an precise, professional and quicker diagnosis. They also assist in screening for comorbidities like depression and anxiousness that are common in ADHD. They also help with titration of the final dose. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200 However, the diagnosis and titration are charged separately. The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD differs from person to. The most popular treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug interventions are beneficial, like education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people with ADHD discover that a change in their diet can help, as does developing a sleep-friendly routine. Some people have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help their symptoms. However, the evidence for these therapies isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that many adults with 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 address this situation. People with ADHD need access to treatment that is devoid of discrimination and in line with their legal rights. Long-term planning of funding, and joined up commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are vital to meet this unmet need. The current situation can't be sustained and has a negative effect on individuals, their families and society. It is now the time to invest in this area.