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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking referral, assessment or support for ADHD People often come across an array of gatekeepers in the network. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs are not following national clinical guidelines or their legal obligations to prevent discrimination and health inequality. Private ADHD clinics may not be adequately regulated as per reports from anecdotal sources. This may result in uncoordinated diagnostic thresholds and assessment reporting which could create difficulties when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I obtain a medical diagnosis? ADHD is an illness of the mind, which means it is only diagnosed by a healthcare professional with specialized knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental illness frequently report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have struggled for a long period of time. This means that they be feeling stuck in their current circumstances and are desperate for help to improve their life. However the NHS isn't always easy to navigate for people seeking an assessment. You can receive an assessment through the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously and could refer you to a specialist for an assessment. However, you might be required to wait until a specialist is available. In order to assess your ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues that you may have experienced in the past as well as your family history. To determine your behavior, they'll examine you in a variety of settings, such as at school, home, or work. You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might ask you questions about your social life, your relationships, and other activities you engage in frequently. A specialist will consider all the evidence prior to making an appropriate diagnosis. They will make use of criteria, for example, being perpetually restless and fidgety, having a short attention span or difficulty focusing at work or school or work, having difficulty staying focused on tasks, not finishing things and being a lot of active. The diagnosis will be made upon the presence of these traits in multiple settings, affecting your functioning and if there is an identifiable pattern that has persisted for at least six years. In recent months, there has been an increase in high-profile people speaking out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has resulted in an increase of people seeking an assessment. This can lead to long wait times for healthcare professionals. Patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS in order to be assessed at private clinics. This could be expensive. It is crucial to select a healthcare provider that you can trust and be honest about your health issues. What happens during the process of assessment? If you're self-referring or referred by your GP the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is similar. The person conducting the assessment will ask questions about your symptoms and how they impact your 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?” Depending on the location you visit for your evaluation There may be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. It is essential to fill these out as quickly as you can so that your appointment won't be delayed. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can identify the signs and the ways they affect your life in detail. The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess your overall mental health, and the specific symptoms of ADHD to determine whether they are caused by any other condition, or are unrelated to any other condition (NICE guidelines). The clinician will then discuss the treatment options with you, which can involve medication. Keep in mind that nurses and doctors will not be as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as psychiatrists. It is therefore important to plan your symptoms and practice them before you take part in the assessment. This will allow you to describe your symptoms in a manner they can understand. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have affected on all aspects of your life from relationships to work and how they've changed over time. You might have some tests done as part of the assessment for example, a blood test to check for any allergies. If you suffer from any other medical conditions, your therapist might suggest additional tests to test for these issues, too. If you are self-referring, or going through the Right to Choose scheme, it is crucial to know that, even if you pay for your private assessment, 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 don't get an answer to my question? You may be diagnosed with ADHD when you have a number of factors that favor you. It can be more difficult for some groups of people to be diagnosed, for instance those who are of color or a woman at birth or if you have other mental health issues, such as depression or bipolar disorder. If you're struggling to get an assessment, speak to your GP and ask for a referral. You may also locate a private psychiatrist who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They can offer a faster service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also look for other possible causes of your problem for example, depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. It's a long procedure and adults might not have all the information they require. You might not be diagnosed with ADHD even you and your GP accepts. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD when they believe your ADHD symptoms are causing significant impairment. If they believe that you do not meet the requirements, they will inform you the reason. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, it is legal in the UK to receive treatment through the NHS. This is applicable to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You could also access medication through an Individual Funding Request but this depends on the area you live in. You may be referred by your physician to prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists are more likely to prescribe Methylphenidate, Atomoxetine or Straterra first, and they do not usually plan for long titration periods. Joining a support group whether in person or online for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be helpful and comforting. It can also help to share your experiences with others who understand. How can I receive treatment? GPs can recommend adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and treatment. Most often, these services are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance the Maudsley Hospital in London offers an all-encompassing ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a significant number of NHS healthcare providers do not recognise these reports as legitimate and patients often face difficulties in their access to treatment, notably long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below for more details).). Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnosis to overcome the NHS's inability to invest in this area. getting diagnosed with adhd provide a more precise, professional and quicker diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness, which are common in ADHD. They assist in titrating the final dose. The cost is ranging from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes the diagnosis and dosage are priced separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from one person to another. The majority of people are treated with medication. These could be methylphenidates, like Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug treatments are useful, such as training and education for parents and families of individuals with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD discover that a change in their diet can help, as well as trying to establish a relaxing sleep routine. Some people have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help their symptoms. However the evidence supporting these treatments is not as extensive. It is unacceptable that so many adults suffering from ADHD are not receiving the medical and treatment they require through the NHS. This problem needs to be addressed urgently by UK government officials and regulators and clinical organizations. Patients with ADHD need access to treatment, free from discrimination and in accordance with their legal rights. The long-term planning of financing, and joint commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are vital to reduce this unmet need. The current situation can't be long-term and has a negative impact on individuals, their families and society. It is now the time to invest in this area.