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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Patients with ADHD typically have to deal with a number of gatekeepers when seeking referrals or assessment and support. It is clear that many of these gatekeepers, notably in NHS CCGs, are disregarding national clinical guidelines and their legal duty to avoid health inequality and discrimination. Private ADHD clinics may not be properly regulated, according to anecdotal reports. This may result in inconsistent diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports, which can cause difficulties when trying to transfer back to the NHS. How can I get an official medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental health condition that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with special expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often report ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a lengthy period of time. They may feel trapped in their current circumstances, and in desperate need of help. The NHS can be confusing for those looking for the diagnosis. You can get a diagnosis via the NHS when you ask your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP should take your concerns seriously and be able to refer you for an assessment, but you may need to wait until the specialist is in. In assessing you for ADHD health specialists will review the family history of ADHD and any other mental health issues you've had in the past. They will also observe you in various environments, such as your home and school or work, to assess your behaviour. You will be asked to explain your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. They may also ask about your social life, relationships and any other activities that you engage in regularly. A specialist will review all the evidence before deciding on diagnosis. They will use criteria like being irritable and fidgety all the time or having a short-term memory or difficulty focusing or keeping up with school or work, not finishing tasks and being overly energetic. The diagnosis will be by examining the presence of these characteristics in a variety of settings, which affects your functioning and if there is a clear pattern that has been evident for at minimum six years. In recent months, there has been an increase in celebrities talking about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a rise in the number of people who are seeking an assessment, which could result in long wait times for healthcare professionals. Many patients and their families opt to avoid the NHS through assessments at private clinics that can be expensive. It is essential to locate a healthcare professional you can trust and answer any questions honestly regarding your symptoms. What happens during the assessment process? The process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or get referred by your GP. The person conducting the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life, like “What issues do you face at home?”, “How do your symptoms impact on work?”, and “Do you have any other symptoms you believe could be related to ADHD?” You may need to fill out various forms or questionnaires before your appointment, based on where you are going for your evaluation. It is essential to complete these as quickly as possible so that your appointment doesn't get delayed. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can recognise them and discuss how they affect your life in depth. The evaluation will usually include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nursing staff or a healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by a different condition or not (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss possible treatment options with you which could include medication. It's worth remembering that nurses, GPs and psychologists will not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as Psychiatrists with specialization, so it is important to prepare and practice your symptoms prior to going for the assessment. This will allow you to explain the impact your symptoms are having in a manner that is understandable to them. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have affected on all aspects of your life from work to relationships, and how they have changed over time. There may be tests done 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 issues. If you are self-referring, or are enrolled in the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to remember that, even if you pay for your private assessment but you will still need to wait for NHS approved appointments. And this can vary between NHS trusts and from one physician to another. What is the outcome if I fail to receive an appointment? There are a variety of factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. IamPsychiatry might have a difficult time getting diagnosed. For instance when they are of color or were born female or if they have other mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or depression. If you're struggling to get a diagnosis, talk to your GP and ask for a referral. It's also worth trying to locate a private psychiatric service that specializes in adult ADHD assessments. They often provide an earlier service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms to determine if they fit the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also rule out other possible causes for your issue, such as depression, anxiety or thyroid problems. It's a long process, and adults may not have all the information they require. It is possible that you are not diagnosed with ADHD even when your GP is in agreement. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD if they believe that your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they think you do not meet the criteria, they'll tell you the reason. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD it is legal in the UK to access treatment via the NHS. This is applicable to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You could be able get medication through an Individual funding request, however it will depend on where you live. You may be referred to a specialist 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. Joining a support group, whether in person or on the internet for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be helpful and calm. It is also helpful to share your experience with others who can relate to. How can I receive treatment? Adults are referred to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. These services are typically located in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For instance 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 frequently denied getting care. This is due to long waiting periods or rejection of referrals. Support groups reported at the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek private assessment and diagnosis to avoid the NHS's lack of funding in this area. Private clinics can provide a speedier and more professional and a more generalized diagnosis. They are also helpful in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are common in ADHD and also in helping in titrating to the final dosage of the medication. The cost ranges from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are separately priced. The treatment and diagnosis for ADHD is different from one person to another. The majority of people are treated using medications. This may be methylphenidates such as Ritalin or Concerta or atomoxetine like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug treatments are useful, such as education and training for parents and the families of those with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing an effective sleep schedule can help. Others have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help with their symptoms, though the evidence isn't as strong. It is unacceptable that a lot of adults suffering from ADHD aren't able to receive the care and treatment they require from the NHS. This issue must be addressed urgently by UK governments as well as regulatory and clinical bodies. Patients with ADHD deserve to have access to treatment, free from 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 vital 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's time to invest.