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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD, people often encounter the network gatekeepers. It is clear that a few of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs are not following national clinical guidelines or their legal obligation to prevent discrimination and health inequalities. Private ADHD clinics may not be adequately regulated according to reports from anecdotal sources. This could lead to inconsistent diagnostic thresholds and assessment reports that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS. How do I get a medical diagnosis? ADHD is an illness of the mind and can only by diagnosed by a healthcare professional with specialist knowledge. This includes psychiatrists and psychology (who are only qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK). People with mental illnesses often report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have been struggling for a long period of time. This means that they be feeling stuck in their current situation and need assistance to improve their lives. The NHS can be confusing for those who are looking for a diagnosis. You can receive an appointment with the NHS by asking your GP to refer you to a specialist. Your GP should take your concerns seriously and should be able send you to a specialist for an examination but you may have to wait until the specialist is available. In order to assess your ADHD healthcare experts will look into any mental health issues you may have experienced in the past as well as your family history. They will be observing you in various environments, such as your home and school or work to determine your behavior. You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may also ask about your relationships with friends, social life and other activities you take part in on a regular basis. A specialist will review all the evidence before making a diagnose. They will apply criteria, for example, being perpetually restless and fidgety, having an insufficient attention span or difficulty focusing at work or at school and having difficulty staying focused on tasks, not finishing things and being overly active. The diagnosis will be made by examining the presence of these traits in a variety of settings that affect your performance, and if there is a distinct pattern that has persisted for at least six years. In recent months, there is a surge in the number of high-profile individuals who have opened up about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a spike in the number of people seeking a diagnosis, which can result in long wait times for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to avoid the NHS by having their health checked at private clinics, which can be expensive. iampsychiatry is important to choose 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 the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or are referred by your GP. The person doing 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 experience any other symptoms you believe might be related to ADHD?” You may be required to fill out different questionnaires or forms prior your appointment, depending on the location you're going to for your assessment. It is essential to complete these in the shortest time possible to ensure that your appointment won't be delayed. It is also essential to be familiar with the signs of ADHD to be able to recognize the signs and their effects on your life. The evaluation will typically include an interview with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or any other qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health and ADHD symptoms to determine if they're caused by another illness or not (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then go over possible treatment options with you which can involve medication. It's worth remembering that nurses, GPs and psychologists will not be as familiar with adult ADHD as Psychiatrists who specialize in it It is therefore essential to practice and prepare your symptoms before you go for the assessment. This will enable you to explain your symptoms in a way they can understand. You'll need to provide examples of how your symptoms have impacted on every aspect of your life from relationships to work and how they have changed in time. There may be tests taken in the course of your examination, such as a blood test to check for any allergies. Your therapist could suggest additional tests to check whether you have any other medical conditions. If you self-refer or going through the Right to Choose scheme, it is important to understand that even though you pay for your private evaluation, you still have to wait for NHS scheduled appointments – and this can differ between NHS trusts and from one physician to another. What happens if I do not get a diagnosis? There are a variety of factors that can stop you getting diagnosed with ADHD. It is more difficult for certain categories of people to be diagnosed, for instance when you are of colour or assigned female at birth or if you suffer from other mental health conditions like 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 clinic that specialises in adult ADHD evaluations. They often provide an earlier service than the NHS. The psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they fit the Nice guidelines for ADHD. They will also rule out other possible causes of your problem for example, depression, anxiety or thyroid issues. This can be a very extensive process, and it'sn't always easy for adults to present all the evidence required (for instance, they may have trouble finding old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard). It's also possible that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD even if your GP will agree to refer you to a psychiatrist. This is because a psychiatrist can only be able to diagnose you if they believe that your ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment. If they think you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you why. In the UK, it is legal in the UK to get treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when you have a diagnosis of ADHD. You may also be able to get medication through an Individual Funding Request but this depends on the area you live in. You could be referred by your doctor to prescribe the medication you want. NHS specialists prefer Methylphenidate or Atomoxetine first and don't plan long titration phases. Participating in a support group, whether in person or on the internet, for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be a source of support and reassuring. It can also be helpful to share your experience with other people who understand. How can I receive treatment? Adults can be referred to ADHD specialist services to be assessed and treated. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for instance, the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a national ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not recognize these reports as valid and patients frequently face obstacles in their access to treatment including long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below). Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers seek out private assessments and diagnoses to circumvent the NHS's inability to invest in this area. Private clinics can provide an precise, professional and quicker diagnosis. They can also assist in the screening of comorbidities like anxiety and depression which are very common in ADHD and can assist in titrating to the final dosage of the medication. 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 person to. The most common treatment is medication, and it can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug treatments are beneficial, like education and training for parents and the families of those with ADHD. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that altering their diet and creating a sleep-friendly schedule helps. Some people find that hypnotherapy or psychotherapy can help ease their symptoms, though the evidence is less extensive. It is inexcusable that many adults suffering from ADHD aren't able to receive the treatment and care they need on the NHS. The UK government, clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to address this situation. Patients with ADHD should have access to treatment that is devoid of discrimination and consistent with their rights under the law. Long-term planning of funding, and joint commissioning of social, health care and judicial services are vital to meet this unmet need. The current situation is not sustainable and the effect on individuals, families and the entire society is devastating. It is now the time to invest in this area.