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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD, people often encounter the network gatekeepers. It is evident that many of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, do not follow the national guidelines for treating patients and their legal duty to avoid health inequality and discrimination. Anecdotal evidence suggests that certain private ADHD clinics are not sufficiently controlled. This could result in inconsistent diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports, which can cause difficulties when trying to transfer back to the NHS. How do I obtain a diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health issue that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only ones qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses frequently report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have been struggling for a long period of time. They may feel stuck in their current situation, and are desperate for assistance. However the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for those who are seeking an assessment. It is possible to receive an assessment through the NHS by asking your GP for the referral to see a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and could refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you may need to wait until the specialist is available. In order to assess your ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have had in the past as well as your family history. They will also observe you in various situations, such as at home, at school or at work to evaluate your behavior. They will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might also inquire about your social life, relationships and any other activities that you do on a regular basis. A specialist will consider all of the evidence before making an appropriate diagnosis. They will consider criteria like being irritable and fidgety at all times or having short-term memory issues, having difficulty staying focused or keeping up in school or at work, not completing tasks, and being extremely energetic. The diagnosis will be by examining the presence of these traits in a variety of settings that affect your performance and if there's a clear pattern that has remained for at minimum six years. In recent months, there has been an increase in high-profile people sharing their stories of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase of people seeking a diagnosis. This can lead to long waiting for healthcare professionals. Some patients and their families bypass the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This is costly. It is important to choose a doctor you can trust and answer questions honestly about your symptoms. What happens during the assessment? If you're self-referring or referred by your GP, the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is very similar. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. For instance, “What problems do experience at home?” “How does your symptoms impact your work?” “Do you have other symptoms you think may be related to ADHD?” You may need to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment, depending on where you are going for your evaluation. It is important to complete these as quickly as you can so that your appointment doesn't get delayed. It is also essential to be familiar with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to recognise the signs and their effects on your life. The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they are caused by another illness or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will go over with you the options for treatment that may include medications. It is important to remember that nurses, GPs and psychologists may not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists with specialization and therefore it is essential to prepare and practice your symptoms prior to going for the assessment. 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 every aspect of your life from work to relationships and how they have changed over time. There may be tests performed as part of your assessment, such as an examination of your blood to look for any allergies. Your therapist may suggest additional tests to determine if you have other medical problems. If you are self-referring, or enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to understand that even though you pay for your private examination however, you must wait for NHS approved appointments. And this can vary between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another. What happens if I don't receive an appointment? There are many factors that could prevent you from being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be more difficult for certain groups of people to get diagnosed, such as those who are of color or assigned a female at birth or if you suffer from other mental health diagnoses like bipolar disorder or depression. If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis, talk to your GP and ask for a referral. You may also locate a private psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD evaluations. They can offer a faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms to determine if they fit the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also attempt to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or thyroid issues. This can be a very thorough process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for instance, they might be unable to locate old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP agrees to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist will only determine that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they think you don't meet the criteria, they'll tell you why. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD, it is legal in the UK to receive treatment through the NHS. This is applicable to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You could be able obtain medication through an individual funding request, but it is contingent on where you live. You may be referred by your doctor to prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists prefer Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always plan long titration phases. It is beneficial to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and on the internet. They can be extremely positive and reassuring and can be a great way to discuss your experiences with others who understand. What can I do to get treatment? GPs can recommend adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and medication. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example, the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a national ADHD adult diagnostic service. However there are many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports, and patients are often blocked from getting care. This is due to long waiting times or rejection of referrals. Support groups informed the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnosis to avoid the NHS's inability to invest 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 which are common in ADHD. They can assist with titration of the final dosage. The cost can vary from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes, a diagnosis and dosage are separately priced. The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD differs between individuals. The most popular treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Other interventions that are not drugs can be beneficial like education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD discover that a change in their diet can help, as does trying to establish a relaxing sleep routine. adhd diagnosis for adults have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can aid in reducing symptoms. However the evidence supporting these treatments is not as extensive. It is unacceptable that a lot of adults suffering from ADHD aren't able to receive the care and treatment they require on the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to correct this situation. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment without discrimination and in line with their legal rights. To meet this demand it is crucial to plan long-term funding and commission health, social care and judicial services in tandem. The current situation cannot be long-term and has a negative effect on families, individuals and society. It is now the time to invest in this area.