ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK it is your legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health exams. Some healthcare professionals do not have the necessary qualifications to diagnose ADHD.
Panorama has received complaints from whistleblowers and patients who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication without proper tests. We conducted an undercover investigation to find out more.
What is an assessment?
An assessment is a consultation with a psychiatrist to discuss the ways in which ADHD affects your life and determine whether medication could help. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms and the issues they cause. You will also be asked about your family and work schedule. Some patients find it helpful to write down their symptoms before their appointment. This is to help them remember them. A psychiatrist will typically spend 45 to 90 minutes with you during an assessment.
You can have an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS or privately. GPs must take ADHD concerns seriously and suggest you undergo an assessment. However, the system is not without its issues. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns over doctors prescribing powerful drugs for prolonged periods of time and not taking into account the medical background of patients.
If you are worried about your GP's views on ADHD Try a different GP. There's a helpful resource on the Psychiatry-UK website that provides tips on how to do this and templates for letters you can use to present your request.
Private psychiatric services offer a much speedier and more expert diagnosis, especially in London. The price can range from PS600 to up to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists are experienced in conducting assessments of adults with diverse backgrounds and can provide a tailored approach, especially in cases where you might be highly intelligent or successful in your job. They can also assess for and assist with any co-morbidities often associated with ADHD, like anxiety and depression.
The Psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms and apply the DSM V criteria to determine whether you qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. You will have to demonstrate six traits (symptoms) that are present in your daily life and how they've affected your previous experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then inform you on your options and next steps. You can decide to start treatment with stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants are a class B drug and therefore subject to the Misuse of Drugs Act. They can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist or doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnostic?
A diagnosis is a medical term that refers to the diagnosis of a condition, illness or injury. A diagnosis is made by a doctor and is usually followed by a treatment plan. The diagnosis is a key element of the curriculum for medical students, and it is an integral part in the education of doctors in all areas of medicine. The term is frequently used in medical journals as well as in articles on health care.
There are several ways to get an ADHD diagnosis in the UK. One method is to go to your GP and ask them to refer you to an adult ADHD specialist or a clinic. A private psychiatrist can make a diagnosis. Private psychiatrists usually have extensive experience in diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and can offer an accelerated, more competent and knowledgeable process. They also tend to be more aware of the other conditions that can cause confusion symptoms with ADHD like anxiety and depression.
You can discuss your treatment options with a psychiatrist once you've been diagnosed. This could include medication such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as other non-medicated treatments like mindfulness or relaxation techniques. You can choose which treatment option is best suited to your needs.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you receive reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In the case of DSA this is especially important because it assists with daily activities that people who suffer from disabilities or illnesses require to perform.
If you're thinking of taking stimulants like methylphenidate for ADHD be aware that these are class B substances which mean that they can potentially cause addiction. If you're concerned, your psychiatrist can refer to a GP that can prescribe a treatment that isn't dependent on stimulants.
It can be difficult and difficult to get an ADHD diagnosis. There are a myriad of factors to consider and the NHS is often over-stretched and under-funded, which makes it easy for GPs, and other health professionals to dismiss or downplay any possible diagnosis. It is helpful to take your list of symptoms with you to the appointment and try to be as objective as you possibly can when describing the symptoms.
How do I get an appointment for a diagnosis?
If you suspect that you or your child could have ADHD, the first step to gain control over the symptoms that disrupt life is getting a diagnosis. see this can be an emotional process, but it is essential to realize that the condition is not an indication of lazyness or a lack of intelligence. it is simply a neurological condition. It is important to understand that the correct treatment can aid you in managing your ADHD and improve your overall quality of life.
To identify you an expert will typically evaluate you by the combination of a thorough description of your current symptoms as well as analysing the results from questionnaires and scales that have been developed to detect ADHD in adults. They then apply the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to identify the cause of your symptoms.
In addition to interviewing you and those close to you, the person evaluating you may decide to conduct medical tests or cognitive tests to determine if there are any underlying reasons for your symptoms. This could include thyroid disorders and seizure disorders, which often have similar symptoms as ADHD.
During the evaluation, it is important to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, at school or at work. This will enable the evaluator to determine if you have ADHD or a coexisting condition which is contributing your symptoms.
If you're thinking of taking medication, your doctor will discuss it after the assessment has been completed. GPs cannot prescribe ADHD medication, however they can provide other types of mental health treatments, such as CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy). If you do choose to seek an appointment, your therapist will prepare paperwork for your GP called a Shared Care Agreement, which specifies what treatment you will receive through the NHS and who will be receiving it.
Asking your family and friends to recommend professionals with expertise in ADHD evaluations of adults is a great idea prior to taking an assessment in private. You can also read online reviews about the local providers and find out more about their procedures. You can also make use of BetterHelp's simple service to get matched within 48 hours with a therapist who is experienced.
Do I have the ability to get a diagnosis using Right to Choose?
You are entitled to select your mental health professional to conduct an ADHD assessment if you're a member of a military service. Once your chosen provider has prescribed treatment (usually medication or cognitive behavioral therapy) it is your responsibility to confirm that your GP accepts either full care or a shared care agreement. Calling the providers directly will enable you to determine if they have contracts with NHS. You can find the waiting times of the providers on this site.
You will be asked about your symptoms, and the date they started when your GP refers you to an ADHD specialist via the Right to Choose path. This will help your doctor better know your symptoms and the impact on your daily life. Answer these questions with honesty and clarity.
Find out more about exercising your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. The NHS does not currently provide an titration of medications through the Right to Choose path. So, even if you're diagnosed using this route, you may not be in a position to get the medication you need.
There are a number of alternative routes to an ADHD diagnosis that include private clinics. BBC's Panorama recently exposed private clinics that provide rapid and inexpensive diagnoses of ADHD. These methods can be dangerous if you're seeking benefits such as Disabled Students Allowance or reasonable adjustments at work, for example.
It's important to remember that the stimulants prescribed to treat ADHD are Class B substances which means they are subject to limitations under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you are found guilty of committing a crime when you are taking these medications, you could face a large fine, or even a prison sentence.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD whether through the NHS or privately, you could be entitled to disability benefits, such as Income Support, Attendance Allowance, or both, based on the degree of the disorder. You'll need to provide an official letter from your doctor to prove this, as well as a copy of your medical records.