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How to Get I Am Psychiatry With ADHD in the UK Consult your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to a shortage of medication. 1. Speak to your doctor Doctors are often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child might have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on your location it could be free or you may be required pay a small amount. More details are available on the NHS website. It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be considered serious. It is important to remember that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand why you or your child may struggle to stay focus or executing impulses. A specialist will determine whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also take a look at how long your or your child's ADHD-related problems have been present and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your or your child's issues could be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety or behaviour issues). If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking out another one. It isn't easy to get a referral however it's well worth it. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP. The process of assessment should be completed swiftly after you have been referred. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms, and the specialist will conduct an interview, questionnaire and medical examination. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They should also verify if you or your child has experienced these symptoms before and compare information. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD. 2. Book an appointment with an expert There are a number of NHS specialist centres which can perform ADHD assessments. You will need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You will likely need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it is best to do them before your appointment. Your physician will assess your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may ask to see your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about your experiences as a child. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you're functioning and may also want to check for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety. If you're an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and remain a part of your life. You will be offered medication whether you are an adult or not. Be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you're prescribed medication, it will first be provided by the NHS. The private clinician can assist you with this and provide your GP documents to sign a shared-care agreement, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee. In England you are legally entitled to select your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment on the internet with a specialist in your region. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be an economical alternative too. 3. You can ask your GP for a referral Speak with your GP If you think you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner however, they will take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and yourself. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there is information on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page on how to speed things up. After you have been directed to a psychiatrist you will be given an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to obtain medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance. During this visit the psychiatrist will take a look at your symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases, they might have to rule out other conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They might also need to eliminate any alcohol or drug abuse. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to sign the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll be able to access ADHD medication on the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different. It is important to know that if you are a resident of England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your doctor will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right To Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you aren't sure which provider to choose, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can use one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how to do it. 4. Book an appointment with a specialist There are a variety of specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these, or contact them directly yourself. Most private providers will allow you to book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. They will ask you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as details of any relevant medical background. They will also want to know if any of your family members have ADHD. Your psychiatrist will be able to talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms. If you don't have a physician who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to be diagnosed. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment, if needed. A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts, they'll be able to find more evidence to support it by asking you questions or speaking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health conditions that can impact your ability to focus for a long time, such as addiction disorders or depression. The majority of ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. It is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more issues as you get older and face more challenges. This is especially true if your did not receive the proper support as a child. Sometimes it is difficult to get an diagnosis, especially when you belong to a minority group or are gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior, without taking note of your symptoms.