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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking assistance, referral or assessment for ADHD, people often encounter an array of gatekeepers in the network. It is clear that a lot of these gatekeepers, especially in NHS CCGs, are not following the national guidelines for clinical practice and their legal duty to avoid health inequality and discrimination. Anecdotal evidence suggests some private ADHD clinics are not sufficiently regulated. This could lead to different thresholds for diagnosis, and assessment reporting that can create problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How can I get an official medical diagnosis? ADHD is an illness of the mind, which means it can only by diagnosed by a medical professional who has specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychologists (who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). Mentally ill people 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. The NHS can be difficult for those looking for an answer to a medical condition. It is possible to get a diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for an appointment with a specialist. I Am Psychiatry should be attentive to your concerns and should be able send you to a specialist for an examination, but you may need to wait while the specialist is in. In assessing you for ADHD health specialists will review your family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues you have experienced in the past. To evaluate your behavior, they will examine you in a variety of settings, such as at school, home or at work. They will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask about your relationships, social life and other activities you engage in regularly. A doctor will take into consideration all the evidence before making a diagnosis. They will use criteria like being constantly distracted and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span or difficulty focusing at school or work, having trouble staying focused on tasks or tasks, not completing them and being overly active. The diagnosis is based on a pattern of traits that can be observed in different settings and affect your functioning. In recent months, there has been a rise in high-profile people talking about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a spike in the number of people seeking a diagnosis, which can cause long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to bypass the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics that can be expensive. It is important to choose a healthcare provider that you can trust and be honest about the symptoms you are experiencing. What happens during the assessment? Whether you're self-referring or getting recommended by your GP, the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is essentially the same. The person doing the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life, for example “What problems do you experience 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 may be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete prior to your appointment. It is important to complete these as quickly as possible so that your appointment doesn't get delayed. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD to ensure that you recognize them and discuss how they affect your life in detail. The assessment will usually include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health overall and the symptoms of ADHD to determine if they are being caused by any other condition, or are unrelated to any other conditions (NICE guidelines). The clinician will discuss with you the treatment options that may include medication. Keep in mind that nurses and doctors are not as well-versed in adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore important to identify your symptoms and practice them before you attend the assessment. This will allow you to describe your symptoms in a way they can understand. You will have to give examples of how your symptoms have affected your life in all aspects, from your work to your relationships, and then over time. You may have tests taken in the course of your examination for example, a blood test to check for any allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical issues, your therapist might suggest additional tests to look for these, too. 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 assessment but you will still need to wait for NHS funded appointments – and this may differ between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another. What is the outcome if I fail to receive a diagnosis? You can be diagnosed with ADHD if you have a number of things in your favor. Certain groups could be more difficult to get diagnosed. For example, if they are of color or were assigned female at birth or if they suffer from other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression. If you're having difficulty getting an answer, you can talk to your GP about it and request an appointment with a psychiatrist. It's also worth trying to locate a private psychiatric service that specializes in adult ADHD evaluations. They may be able to provide a quicker service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms to determine if they match the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They'll also try to rule out other causes of your issues, such as anxiety, depression, or thyroid issues. This can be a extensive process, and it's not always easy for adults to give all the evidence required (for instance, they might be unable to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP is willing to refer you to a psychiatrist. This is because a psychiatrist can only diagnose you if they consider that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they believe that you are not meeting the requirements, they will inform you why. 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 may be able to get medication through an Individual funding request, but it is contingent on the location you reside in. You may be referred by your doctor to prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first and don't usually make plans for long titration periods. It is helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and on the internet. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring and can assist to talk through your experience with others who understand. What can I do to get treatment? GPs may recommend adults to specialists ADHD services for assessment and treatment. These services are typically located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example the Maudsley Hospital, London, provides a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, many NHS health providers aren't able to accept these reports, and patients are often denied getting care. This is due to lengthy waiting times or the rejection of referrals. Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek private assessment and diagnosis to overcome the NHS's inability to invest in this area. Private clinics can provide a quicker and more efficient and a generally clear diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety which are common in ADHD and can assist in titrating to the final dose of the medication. The cost is ranging from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes, a diagnosis and dosage are priced separately. The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD varies from person to. The majority of people are treated with medications. This may be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Non-drug interventions can be beneficial, such as education and training for parents and families of children with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing a sleep-friendly schedule helps. Some people have found that psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However the evidence behind these therapies isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that many adults with ADHD are unable to get the treatment and care they need on the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK government officials and regulators and clinical organizations. People suffering from ADHD must have access to treatment that is free of discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. 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 situation is not sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and society is hugely damaging. It's time to invest.