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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

People with ADHD are often confronted with a network of gatekeepers when seeking referral, assessment and support. It is clear that a few of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs aren't following national clinical guidelines or their legal obligation to prevent discrimination and health inequalities.

Certain private ADHD clinics might not be properly regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This may result in an inconsistency in diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS.

How do I get an official medical diagnosis?

ADHD is an illness of the mind that is only diagnosed by a healthcare professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental health issues frequently experience symptoms of ADHD especially those who have struggled for a long time. This means that they feel stuck in their current circumstances and need help to improve their life. However, the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for those seeking an assessment.


You can receive a diagnosis via the NHS by asking your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously and might refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you might need to wait until the specialist is available.

In order to assess your ADHD healthcare experts will look into any mental health issues you may have had in the past and your family history. They will also observe you in different environments, such as your the workplace, school or at home to evaluate your behavior. They will ask you to write about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They might inquire about your social life, your relationships, and other activities you engage in regularly.

A specialist will look at all the evidence before deciding on an assessment. They will use criteria, such as being persistently distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span, difficulty keeping up at work or at school and having difficulty staying focused on work or tasks, not completing them and being a lot of active. The diagnosis will be upon the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your performance and if there is an identifiable pattern that has remained for at least six years.

In recent months there has been a rise in high-profile people talking about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase of people seeking a diagnosis. This can lead to long wait for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families avoid the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This can be expensive. It is important to find a healthcare provider you trust and be prepared to answer honestly about your medical conditions.

What happens during the process of assessment?

The method of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. For instance, "What problems do experience at home?" "How does your symptoms impact your work?" "Do you have other symptoms that you believe could be related to ADHD?"

You may have to fill out a variety of questionnaires or forms prior your appointment, depending on the location you're going to for your assessment. It is crucial to fill these out as quickly as you can so that your appointment won't be delayed. It's also important to become familiar with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can recognise the signs and how they impact your life in detail.

The assessment will typically include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or a 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 go over with you the treatment options that may include medication.

It's worth remembering that GPs, nurses and psychologists may not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as Psychiatrists who specialize in it It is therefore essential to prepare and practice your symptoms prior to going for an assessment. This will allow you to explain the impact that your symptoms are having in a way that is easily understood by them. You will need to give 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 assessment you could be required to take some tests, such as an allergy test. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to check whether you have any other medical conditions.

If you self-refer or are enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to remember that even though you pay for your private evaluation, you still have to wait for NHS scheduled appointments - and this can vary between NHS trusts and also from one doctor to another.

What happens if I do not receive a diagnosis?

There are many factors that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It can be harder for certain groups of people to get diagnosed, such as those who are of color or a woman at birth or if you suffer from other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression.

If you're having difficulty getting a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about the issue and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. iampsychiatry is also a good idea to locate a private psychiatric clinic that specialises in adult ADHD assessments. They can offer a faster service than the NHS.

The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine whether they fit the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They will also rule out other possible causes for your issue for example, depression, anxiety, or thyroid problems. This is a extensive process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to provide all the evidence needed (for example they might have trouble finding old school reports in the back of the cupboard).

It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP will agree to refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD in the event that they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think that you are not meeting the criteria, they will tell you the reason.

In the UK it is legal to seek treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the event that you have been diagnosed with ADHD. You may be able to get medication through an Individual funding request, however it will depend on where you live. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medicine you prefer. NHS specialists recommend Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first, and don't always think of long titration cycles.

It can be helpful to join a support group for adults with ADHD, both in person and on the internet. They can be supportive and reassuring. It is also helpful to share your experience with others who can relate to.

How do I get treatment?

Doctors can refer adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and medication. These services are usually located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For instance the Maudsley Hospital, London, offers a nationwide ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as legitimate and patients often encounter blockages in their access to healthcare including long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below).

Support groups at the consensus meeting reported that many ADHD patients seek out private assessments and diagnosis to circumvent the absence of NHS investment in this area. Private clinics offer a much faster and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis. They can also help screen for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness which are common in ADHD. They can assist with titration of the final dosage. Costs vary from PS500-PS1,200 however, often a diagnosis and titration are priced separately.

The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD differs from person to. Most people are treated with medication. It could be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be beneficial for education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD discover that a change in diet can help, as well as trying to develop a sleep-friendly routine. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However, the evidence for these therapies isn't as strong.

It is unacceptable that a lot of adults suffering from ADHD are unable to get the treatment and care they need on the NHS. The UK government, the clinical and regulatory authorities need to act urgently to correct this situation. Patients with ADHD need access to treatment, free from discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. To meet this demand it is essential to plan long-term funding and commission health, social and judicial services together. The current state of affairs cannot be sustained and has a negative effect on families, individuals and society. It's time to invest.

Homepage: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/