ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK, it is your legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health exams. Healthcare professionals may not all have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD.
Panorama has heard from patients and whistleblowers who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe drugs without proper tests. We conducted an undercover investigation to find out more.
What is an assessment?
A psychiatrist will meet with you to discuss the effects of ADHD on your life and if medication can aid you. You will need to provide details of your symptoms and any problems that they may be causing. You will be asked about your family and work life. Some patients find it beneficial to write down their symptoms before their appointment. They will be able to recall them later. A typical assessment requires a 45 to 90 minutes of discussion with the psychiatrist.
You can get an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS or privately. GPs must take any concerns regarding ADHD seriously and be willing to refer you for an assessment. However the system isn't without its flaws. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns regarding the long-term use of powerful drugs being dished out by doctors and a lack of proper treatment and consideration given to patients' medical history.
If you are worried about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD consider a different GP. There is a good site on Psychiatry-UK which offers tips for doing this and templates for letters that you can use to submit your request.
Private psychiatric treatment is faster and more professional, particularly in London. The price is ranging from PS600 to up to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists are experienced in conducting assessments of people from different backgrounds, and are able to provide a tailored treatment plan, particularly if you're highly educated or have a thriving career. They can also screen and assist with co-morbidities such as anxiety and depression, that are often associated with ADHD.
The Psychiatrist examines your symptoms based on the DSM V criteria and determines if you meet the criteria of an ADHD diagnosis. You must demonstrate at least 6 traits (symptoms) that are present in your life today and how they impact on your past experiences.
The Psychiatrist then will advise you on your options and next steps. You may decide to begin treatment with stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants are covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act and are therefore controlled. They are only prescribed by a psychiatrist or a doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnosis?
A diagnosis is a medical term that refers to the recognition of a condition, illness or injury. A doctor will issue a diagnosis and often accompany it with an action plan. The diagnosis is an essential component of the curriculum of medical students, and it is a crucial part of the training of doctors in all fields of medicine. The term is often used in medical journals as well as in articles about health care.
There are many ways to obtain an ADHD diagnosis in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to a clinic or adult ADHD specialist. Another option is to ask a private psychiatrist to perform an assessment. Private psychiatrists generally have a lot of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can provide a much quicker, more professional and a more thorough process. They also have a greater awareness of other conditions that could cause confusion symptoms with ADHD like depression and anxiety.
You can discuss your treatment options with a psychiatrist once you've been diagnosed. This could include medication or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other non-medication treatments such as mindfulness or relaxation techniques. You can then decide if you'd like to choose the treatment that is most suitable for your needs.
In addition to enabling you to get treatment for your ADHD The diagnosis can aid you in getting reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This is especially important in the case of DSA, as it helps people with disabilities and illnesses in their daily activities.
If you're thinking about stimulants such as methylphenidate to treat your ADHD, know that these drugs are class B drugs and could cause addiction. If you're worried, your psychiatrist can refer to a GP that can prescribe a treatment without stimulants.
It can be frustrating and challenging to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. There are a variety of aspects to take into consideration, and the NHS system is usually over overwhelmed and under-funded which means it can be very easy for GPs and other health professionals to dismiss or minimize a possible diagnosis. You may bring a list of symptoms to the examination and be honest when explaining your symptoms.
How do I get an appointment for a diagnosis?
Your child or you might be suffering from ADHD. The first step in addressing the symptoms that could disrupt your life is to seek an diagnosis. It's a challenging process, but it's crucial to remember that ADHD isn't a sign of lazyness or lack of intelligence. It is an illness of the brain. It is essential to recognize that the proper treatment will aid you in managing your ADHD and improve your overall quality of life.
To diagnose you, a professional will usually examine you with the combination of a thorough description of your current symptoms and also analyzing the results of questionnaires and scales that have been developed to detect ADHD in adults. They then apply the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) to arrive at a precise diagnosis.
The evaluator will also interview you and your family members and may conduct medical or cognitive tests to rule out any root causes behind your symptoms. This can include things like thyroid disorders and seizure conditions that can have similar symptoms to ADHD.
During the evaluation it is essential to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, at work or school. This is so that the evaluator 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 clinician will talk to you about it once the assessment is completed. GPs are not allowed to prescribe ADHD medication. However, they can offer other treatments for mental health such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you decide to seek an appointment with your doctor and he or she will create a form called a Shared care agreement for your GP that specifies the treatment you will receive on the NHS.
Asking your friends and family members for recommendations of professionals who have experience in ADHD evaluations of adults is a great idea before you go for an individual assessment. You can also search online for reviews of the providers in your area and read about the various approaches they use. BetterHelp also offers a simple service to match within 48 hours with a therapist who is experienced.
Do I have the ability to get a diagnosis through Right to Choose?
If you're a member of the Armed Forces, you have the right to choose which mental health practitioner you're referred to for an ADHD assessment. You'll have to ensure that your GP will accept either full care or a'shared care agreement' after the chosen provider has discharged you and prescribes treatment (usually CBT therapy or medication). You can determine which providers have these contracts with the NHS by calling them directly. You can find the waiting times of providers on this website.
You will be asked about your symptoms, and the time they began when your GP recommends an ADHD specialist through the Right to Choose path. This is to aid your doctor in understanding the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Answer these questions in a clear and honest manner.
You can find out more about exercising your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. The NHS does not currently offer the option of titration for medicines through the Right to Choose path. Therefore, even if you are diagnosed via click here this route, you may not be in a position to get the medication you need.
There are a number of alternatives to an ADHD diagnosis which include private clinics. BBC's Panorama recently exposed private clinics that provide rapid and inexpensive diagnoses of ADHD. These shortcuts can 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 stimulants that are prescribed for ADHD fall under Class B drugs and are therefore subject to the restrictions of The Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're found guilty of committing an offense of a criminal nature while taking these drugs you could be subject to an extensive fine or even jail time.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, either through the NHS or privately you may be eligible for disability benefits, such as Income Support, Attendance Allowance, or both, depending on the severity. You will need to supply an official letter from your doctor which proves this, as well as an original copy of your medical records.