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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD, people often encounter an array of gatekeepers in the network. It is evident that a number of these gatekeepers, particularly in NHS CCGs, are not following 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 can lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds, and assessment reporting that can cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How can I get a medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health condition which means it can only 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). Mentally ill people frequently report ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a lengthy period of time. This means that they can feel trapped in their current circumstances and are in desperate need of assistance to improve their lives. The NHS can be confusing for those seeking an answer to a medical condition. You can get an appointment with the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously, and could refer you to specialists for an evaluation. However, you might have to wait until the specialist is available. To determine if you have ADHD medical professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have faced in the past as well as your family history. They will also observe you in various environments, such as your the workplace, school or at home to determine your behavior. They will ask you to write about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may also ask about your social life, relationships and any other activities you do on a regular basis. A specialist will examine all the evidence before making an assessment. They will make use of criteria such as being persistently restless and fidgety, having an insufficient amount of attention and having difficulty keeping up with work or at school or work, having difficulty staying focused on work, not finishing things and being a lot of active. The diagnosis will be by examining the presence of these characteristics in multiple settings, affecting your performance and if there is a clear 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 in people seeking a diagnosis. This can result in long waiting times for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS in order to undergo assessments at private clinics. This can be costly. It is important to choose a doctor you are comfortable with and answer honestly about your health issues. What happens during the process of assessment? Whether you're self-referring or getting referred by your GP the process of assessing for ADHD symptoms is essentially the same. The person who conducts the test will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. For example, “What problems do experience at home?” “How does your symptoms affect your work?” “Do you have other symptoms you think may be related to ADHD?” Depending on where you go to get your assessment there could be different forms or questionnaires for you to fill out prior to your appointment. Filling out these forms as quickly as you can will help to avoid any delays to your appointment. It is also essential to be familiar with the signs of ADHD to be able to recognize them and talk about their impact on your life. The assessment will typically include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will examine your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they are caused by another condition or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss the treatment options with you, which may involve medication. It is important to remember that nurses, GPs and psychologists aren't as well-versed in adult ADHD as specialist Psychiatrists and therefore it is essential to prepare and practice your symptoms prior to going for an assessment. This will allow you to explain the impact your symptoms are having in a manner that is understandable to them. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have had an impact on every aspect of your life, from work to relationships, and how they have changed in time. There may be tests performed as part of the assessment for example, a blood test to check for any allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical issues your therapist could suggest additional tests to test for these, too. If you self-refer or are enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to understand that even though you pay for your private assessment however, you must wait for NHS approved appointments. And this can differ between NHS trusts and from one clinician to another. What happens if I do not get a diagnosis? You may be diagnosed with ADHD if you have a number of factors that favor you. It can be more difficult for certain groups of people to be diagnosed, for example, those who are of color or assigned a female at birth, or if you have other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or depression. If you're having difficulty getting a diagnosis, consider speaking to your GP about it and request the referral to a psychiatrist. You may also locate a private psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD evaluations. They can often offer an earlier service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and decide if they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a guideline. They will also look for other possible causes of your problem, such as anxiety, depression or thyroid problems. This is a thorough procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence needed (for instance, they may be unable to locate old school reports in the back of the cupboard). You may not be diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP accepts. 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 requirements, they will inform you the reason. In how to get an adult adhd diagnosis , 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 could be able receive medication through an individual funding request, but it depends on the location you reside in. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first, and don't always think of long titration cycles. It is helpful to join an adult support group with ADHD, both in person and online. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring, and it can help to share your story with people who understand. How can I get treatment? Doctors can refer adults to specialist ADHD services to be assessed and prescribed medication. These services are usually found in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For instance, the Maudsley Hospital, London, provides a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, many NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports and patients are often denied accessing care. This is due to lengthy waiting times or rejection of referrals. Support groups have reported at the consensus meeting that many ADHD sufferers seek private assessment and diagnosis to avoid NHS's lack of investment in this area. Private clinics offer a much quicker and more efficient and a generally clear diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, which are common in ADHD. They also help with titration of the final dosage. Prices range from PS500 to 1,200, although often a diagnosis and titration are charged separately. The treatment and diagnosis of ADHD differs from person to person. Most people are treated with medications. It could be methylphenidates, such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug interventions can be useful, such as training and education for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people with ADHD find that a change in diet can help, as does trying to develop a sleep-friendly routine. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help ease their symptoms, though the evidence on these isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that so many people suffering from ADHD cannot access the treatment and care they need through the NHS. This situation must be addressed immediately by UK governments and clinical and regulatory bodies. People suffering from ADHD need access to treatment that is free of discrimination and consistent with their rights under the law. The long-term planning of financing, and a coordinated commissioning of social, health care and judicial services are crucial to address this need that is not being met. The current state of affairs is not sustainable and the impact on families, individuals and society is hugely damaging. It is time to invest in this area.