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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK People suffering from ADHD are often confronted with a network of gatekeepers when seeking referrals or assessment and support. It is clear that some of these gatekeepers in NHS CCGs are not following the national guidelines for clinical practice or their legal duty to prevent discrimination and health inequalities. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that certain private ADHD clinics are not sufficiently monitored. This can lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I find out if I have an accurate diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health condition, meaning it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often have ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a lengthy period of time. This means that they can feel trapped in their current situation and are in desperate need of help to improve their life. However it is true that the NHS isn't always easy 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 take your concerns seriously, and may refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you might need to wait until the specialist is available. To assess your ADHD, healthcare experts will look into any mental health issues that you may have experienced in the past and your family history. They will also observe you in different environments, such as your home, at school or at work to determine 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 regularly. A specialist will look at all the evidence prior to making a diagnosis. They will consider criteria like being irritable and fidgety all the time, having an insufficient memory for short-term events, having difficulty staying focused, having difficulty keeping up at school or at work, not completing tasks, and being extremely energetic. The diagnosis is dependent on a pattern of traits that can be observed in different settings and affect your functioning. In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of well-known people who have spoken out about their experiences being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase of people seeking an assessment. This can result in long waiting for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to bypass the NHS by undergoing assessments at private clinics that can be expensive. It is crucial to locate a healthcare professional you can trust and answer questions honestly about your medical conditions. What happens during the assessment process? Whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP, the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is essentially the same. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life, for example “What difficulties do you encounter at home?”, “How do your symptoms affect your work?”, and “Do you experience any other symptoms you believe could be related to ADHD?” Depending on the location you visit for your assessment there could be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete prior to your appointment. Making sure you complete these forms in a timely manner will prevent any delays in your appointment. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD to be able to identify them and discuss how they affect your life in depth. The assessment will usually include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or any other qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your overall mental health and the symptoms of ADHD to determine whether they are caused by any other condition or are not related to any other medical condition (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss the treatment options with you, which may involve medication. It is important to keep in mind that GPs, nurses and psychologists may not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists, so it is important to practice and prepare your symptoms prior to going to the test. This will help you describe your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have impacted on every aspect of your life from relationships to work and how they have changed in time. As part of the examination, you might be required to take certain tests, for instance an allergy test. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to check whether you have any other medical conditions. If you self-refer, or enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is crucial to know that, even if you pay for your private evaluation however, you must wait for NHS scheduled appointments – and this can differ between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another. What happens if I don't get an answer to my question? There are many factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. Certain groups could have a harder time getting diagnosed. For instance, if they are of color or were assigned female at birth or if they have any other mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder. If you're having trouble getting an answer, consult your GP and ask for a referral. You could also find a private doctor who specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They may be able to provide a quicker service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they fit the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also rule out other possible reasons for your symptoms for example, depression, anxiety or thyroid problems. This is a extensive procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for instance, they might struggle 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 will agree to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist will only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. If they believe that you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you the reason. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to receive treatment through the NHS. This applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You could be able receive medication through an individual funding request, but it depends on where you live. You may be referred to the right specialist in your area who will prescribe the medicine of your choice. NHS specialists tend to prefer Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they do not always plan for long titration periods. Participating in a support group, either in person or online for adults suffering from ADHD can be beneficial. They can be supportive and calm. It can also be helpful to share your experiences with others who can relate to. What can I do to get treatment? Adults can be referred to ADHD specialist services for assessment and treatment. adhd diagnosis uk adults are usually located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example the Maudsley Hospital, London, offers a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However there are many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports, and patients are often denied receiving treatment. This is due to long waiting periods or rejection of referrals. Support groups at the consensus meeting reported that many ADHD patients seek private assessment and diagnosis to overcome the insufficient NHS investment in this area. Private clinics provide a more precise, professional and quicker diagnosis. They can also be helpful in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety that are prevalent in ADHD, and in helping with titration to the final dose of the medication. Costs vary from PS500-PS1,200, although often a diagnosis and titration are charged separately. The treatment and diagnosis for ADHD is different from one person to another. 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 families and parents of children with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have found that altering their diet and creating an appropriate schedule for sleep can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can ease their symptoms, though the evidence for these therapies isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that many people suffering from ADHD are unable to get the care and treatment they require from the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities must take action urgently to address this situation. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and consistent 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 is not sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and the entire society is devastating. It's time to invest.