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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD Patients often have to deal with the network gatekeepers. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers within NHS CCGs aren't adhering to national guidelines for treating patients or their legal obligations to stop discrimination and health inequality. Some private ADHD clinics might not be adequately regulated as per reports from anecdotal sources. This could lead to an inconsistency in diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports which could create difficulties when trying to transfer back to the NHS. How do I get an official medical diagnosis? ADHD is a mental illness, which means it can only be diagnosed by a medical professional with specialized knowledge. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are the only professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People suffering from mental illness frequently report ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have struggled for a long period of time. This means that they can feel trapped in their current circumstances and need help to improve their life. However the NHS can be difficult to navigate for those who are seeking diagnosis. It is possible to obtain a diagnosis through the NHS by asking your GP for the referral to see an expert. Iam Psychiatry will consider your concerns seriously and could refer you to an expert for an assessment. However, you may have to wait until the specialist is available. To determine if you have ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you may have experienced in the past as well as your family history. To determine your behavior, they'll observe you in different settings, such as at home, school or at work. They will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They might inquire about your social life, your relationships, and other activities you engage in frequently. A specialist will look at all the evidence before making diagnosis. They will look at criteria such as being restless and fidgety at all times or having short-term memory issues, having difficulty staying focused and unable to keep up in school or at work, failing to complete tasks and being overly energetic. The diagnosis is determined by a pattern of traits that are present in multiple environments and affect your performance. In recent months, there has been a rise in the number of celebrities 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. Many patients and their families opt to bypass the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics that can be expensive. It is crucial to select the right healthcare provider who you can trust and to be honest about the symptoms you are experiencing. What happens during the assessment process? The procedure of conducting an assessment of ADHD symptoms is the same regardless of whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person doing the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life, for example “What difficulties do you encounter at home?”, “How do your symptoms impact on work?”, and “Do you experience other symptoms that you think could be related to ADHD?” Depending on where you go for your evaluation There may be various forms or questionnaires for you to complete before your appointment. It is essential to fill these out in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment doesn't get delayed. It's also important to become familiar with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD so that you can recognize the signs and how they affect your life in detail. The assessment will typically include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or a qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will assess both your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another condition or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will go over with you the treatment options that could include medications. Keep in mind that nurses and doctors are not as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as Psychiatrists. Therefore, it is important to prepare your symptoms and practice them prior to when you take part in the assessment. This will help you explain the impact that your symptoms are having in a way that is understandable to them. You will need to give examples of how your symptoms have affected on every aspect of your life, from work to relationships, and how they have changed over time. As part of the assessment you might be required to take certain tests, for instance the test for allergies. If you are suffering from any other medical problems your therapist could suggest additional tests to look for these, too. You may be self-referring, or using the Right to Choose Scheme, however, you'll still need to wait until you can get an NHS-funded appointment. This can vary from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician. What happens if I don't have a diagnosis? There are a variety of factors that can prevent you from getting diagnosed with ADHD. Certain groups might have a difficult time getting diagnosed. For instance that they are of color or were assigned female at birth or if they have any other mental health diagnoses such as depression or bipolar disorder. If you're having difficulty getting an assessment, speak to your GP and request a referral. You can also try to find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD assessments. They can provide a more rapid service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will analyze your symptoms and decide whether they meet the criteria for ADHD using the Nice guidelines as a guideline. They will also try to eliminate other causes of your symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or thyroid issues. This can be a thorough process, and it's not always easy for adults to present all the evidence needed (for instance, 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 the GP is willing to refer you. This is because a psychiatrist will only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think that you are not meeting the criteria, they will tell you the reason. If you've 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 where you live. You may be referred to your physician to prescribe the medication you want. NHS specialists are more likely to prescribe Methylphenidate Atomoxetine or Straterra first and they don't always plan for lengthy titration periods. It is beneficial to join an adult support group with ADHD in person and online. They can be extremely supportive and reassuring, and it can help to share your story with other people who can relate to your experience. How do I get treatment? GPs may recommend adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and medication. These services are usually found in NHS hospitals or NHS community health teams. For example the Maudsley Hospital, London, offers a national ADHD diagnostic service for adults. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not recognise these reports as valid and patients often encounter blockages in their access to care such as long wait 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 overcome the lack of NHS funding in this area. Private clinics provide a more accurate, professional and faster diagnosis. They can also assist in screening for comorbidities, such as depression and anxiousness that 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 is priced separately. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is different from person to. The majority of people are treated using medications. These could be methylphenidates such as Ritalin or Concerta, or atomoxetine, like Strateva. Sometimes, non-drug interventions are useful, such as training and education for parents and families of individuals with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that changing their diet and developing a sleep-friendly schedule helps. Some people have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However the evidence supporting these treatments is not as extensive. It is unacceptable that so many adults with ADHD cannot access the treatment and care they need through the NHS. The UK government, clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to correct this situation. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment, free from discrimination and in line with their rights under the law. To address this unmet need, it is vital to create long-term plans for funding and create health, social care, and judicial services together. The current state of affairs is not sustainable and the effect on families, individuals and society is hugely damaging. It's time to invest.