ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

In the UK you have the legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health exams. However, not all healthcare professionals are trained to diagnose ADHD.

Panorama has been told by whistleblowers and patients that some private clinics are diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medication with no proper checks. We went undercover in order to learn more.

What is an assessment?

A psychiatrist will meet with you to discuss the effects of ADHD on your life and if medication can assist. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms and the issues they cause. You will also be asked about your family and work schedule. Some patients find it useful to note down their symptoms prior to their appointment. This is so they can remember their symptoms. A typical assessment involves a 45 to 90 minute discussion with the psychiatrist.

There are two ways to receive an adult ADHD assessment There are two main ways to get an assessment for ADHD: the NHS or private. GPs must take ADHD concerns seriously and suggest you undergo an assessment. However the system isn't without its issues. The BBC's Panorama programme raised questions about long-term prescriptions of powerful drugs being handed out by doctors and a lack of proper treatment and consideration given to patients' medical history.

If you're concerned about the attitude of your GP toward ADHD, consider finding another GP. There's a great resource on the Psychiatry-UK website that gives tips about doing this, as well as templates for letters that you can use to submit your request.

Private psychiatric care is much quicker and more professional, especially in London. The costs typically range between PS600 to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists are skilled in assessing adults of diverse backgrounds, and are able to provide a tailored treatment plan, particularly if you're skilled or have a lucrative career. They can also screen for and assist with co-morbidities like anxiety and depression, that are often present in conjunction with ADHD.

The Psychiatrist evaluates your symptoms based on the DSM V criteria and determines whether you are in the range of an ADHD diagnosis. You will be required to show six characteristics (symptoms) that are present in your life today and how they've affected your past experiences.

The Psychiatrist then will advise you on your options and the next steps. You can choose to begin treatment with stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants are covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act and are therefore controlled. They must be prescribed only by a psychiatrist or a doctor registered with the General Medical Council.

What is a diagnostic?

A diagnosis is a term used in medicine that refers to the diagnosis of a condition, illness or injury. A doctor will issue diagnosis and often follow it with a treatment plan. The diagnosis is an essential part of the curriculum of medical students, and it plays a significant role in the education of doctors across all areas of medicine. Medical journals often employ the term "diagnosis" and it is frequently used in periodical articles about health care.

There are many methods to receive an ADHD diagnosis in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to a clinic or an adult ADHD specialist. A private psychiatrist can make a diagnosis. Private psychiatrists typically have extensive experience in diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and can offer an accelerated, more professional and a more thorough process. They also tend to have a better understanding of the other conditions that can cause confusion symptoms with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.

You can discuss your treatment options with a psychiatrist after you have been diagnosed. This could include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other non-medication treatments such as mindfulness or relaxation techniques. You can then decide if you want to take up the treatment option that best suits your requirements.

In addition to allowing you to get treatment for your ADHD The diagnosis can assist you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). In the case of DSA this is particularly important because it assists with daily activities that those who suffer from disabilities or illnesses require to be able to carry out.

If you're thinking of trying stimulants such as methylphenidate for your ADHD Be aware that they are here class B drugs which mean that they can potentially lead to addiction. If you're worried your psychiatrist could refer you to a GP who can prescribe a treatment with no stimulants.

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and frustrating process. There are a myriad of factors to take into account and the NHS is often over-stretched and under-resourced, so it's easy for doctors and other health professionals, to dismiss or downplay any possible diagnosis. You can bring a list of symptoms to the assessment and be objective when describing your symptoms.

How can I get a medical diagnosis?

If you are concerned that you or your child could have ADHD the first step to gain control over symptoms that can disrupt your life is obtaining diagnosed. It's a difficult process, but it is essential to realize that the condition is not a sign of laziness or lack of intelligence; it is merely a neurobiological issue. It is also essential to recognize that the proper treatment can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and improve the quality of your living.

To identify you an expert will typically evaluate you by the combination of a thorough description of your current symptoms, and also analyzing the results from questionnaires and scales that have been developed to detect ADHD in adults. They'll then apply the criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to identify the cause of your symptoms.

The evaluator also interviews you and your family members and may conduct cognitive tests or medical exams to rule out any underlying causes for your symptoms. This can include things like seizures and thyroid disorders that can have similar symptoms as ADHD.

During the assessment, it is important to be forthcoming about your symptoms and how they affect you at home, work or school. This is so that the assessor will be able to determine if you have an ADHD diagnosis, or a co-existing condition that is contributing to your symptoms.

If you're considering medication, your doctor will discuss it after the assessment has been completed. The GP is not able to prescribe ADHD medication. However, they are able to provide other mental health treatments such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you decide to seek a prescription from your clinician, he or she will create a form called a Shared care agreement for your GP that outlines the treatment you will receive on the NHS.

Asking your family and friends to recommend experts with experience in ADHD evaluations for adults is a great idea prior to taking a private assessment. You can also search the internet for reviews of the providers in your area and learn about the various approaches they employ. If you prefer, you can use BetterHelp's easy-to-use service to get connected with a therapist who is experienced within 48 hours.

Do I have the ability to get an appointment for a diagnosis through Right to Choose?

If you're a member of the Armed Forces, you have the right to choose the mental health provider you're recommended to for an ADHD assessment. You'll need to ensure that your GP will accept full care or something called a 'shared care agreement' when your chosen doctor discharges you and prescribes treatment (usually CBT or medication). You can find out which providers have these contracts with the NHS by calling them direct. You can find the waiting times of providers by visiting this website.

If your GP refers you to an ADHD specialist through the Right to Choose pathway, they will ask you questions about your symptoms and the time when they began. This will help your doctor better know your symptoms and the impact on your daily life. Answer these questions honestly and clearly.

On the NHS website, you can learn more about how to exercise Your Right to Choose. The NHS is currently not offering a titration for medications via the Right to Choose path. Even if you are diagnosed with this method, you may still not be able access the medication you need.

There are a variety of alternatives to an ADHD diagnosis which include private clinics. BBC's Panorama recently exposed private clinics which provide affordable and quick diagnosis of ADHD. These shortcuts could be dangerous if you're seeking to claim benefits like Disabled Students Allowance or reasonable adjustments at work, for instance.

It's important to note that the stimulants prescribed for ADHD are Class B substances, and therefore are subject to limitations under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you are convicted of committing a crime while taking these drugs, you may be liable for a significant fine or even jail time.

If you're diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, whether through the NHS or privately, you could be eligible for benefits for disabled people such as Income Support, Attendance Allowance, or both, based on the degree of the disorder. You'll need an official letter from your doctor that proves this, as well as a copy of your medical records.