ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK you have the legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health exams. Not all healthcare professionals have the necessary qualifications to be able to diagnose ADHD.
Panorama has received complaints from whistleblowers and patients who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe medications without proper tests. 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 whether medications can assist. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms and the problems they cause. You will be asked about your family and work life. Some patients find it helpful to note down their symptoms prior to the appointment. They will be able to recall them later. A psychiatrist will typically spend 45 to 90 minutes with you during an assessment.
You can obtain an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS or privately. The GP must take ADHD concerns seriously and recommend you to an assessment. The system isn't without its flaws. The BBC's Panorama programme raised questions about long-term prescriptions of powerful medications being given out by doctors, and the lack of proper care and consideration given to patients' medical history.
If you are concerned about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD, try another GP. There's a great resource on the Psychiatry-UK website that provides tips on how to do this, as well as templates for letters that you can use to present your request.
Private psychiatric treatment can provide the fastest and most qualified diagnosis, especially in London. The cost ranges from PS600 to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists have experience assessing adults of diverse backgrounds and offer a tailored treatment plan, especially if you are highly educated or have a thriving career. They can also assess for and assist with any co-morbidities often associated with ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
The Psychiatrist will assess your symptoms and apply the DSM V criteria to determine whether you meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. You will have to demonstrate six traits (symptoms), which are present in your life today, and how they have affected your past experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then advise you of your options and the next steps. You can decide to begin treatment, which may involve stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants belong to the class B drug and therefore controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act. They require prescription from an experienced psychiatrist or a doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnosis?
A diagnosis is a medical term used to describe an injury, disease or condition. A diagnosis is made by a doctor and is often followed by a treatment plan. The diagnosis is an essential element of the curriculum for medical students and plays a significant role in the education of doctors in all areas of medicine. Medical journals often use the word and it is frequently included in periodicals 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. Another way is to get an appointment with a private psychiatrist who will make a diagnosis. Private psychiatrists are more experienced in diagnosing ADHD in adults and can provide a faster professional, more thorough, and more understanding process. They are also more aware of other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, like depression and anxiety.
After you have been diagnosed you are able to discuss treatment options with your psychiatrist. This may include medication or cognitive therapy (CBT) and other non-medical therapies such relaxation or mindfulness techniques. You can then decide whether you want to take up the treatment option that best suits your needs.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also help you receive reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. This is particularly crucial in the case of DSA, as it helps those who suffer from disabilities and illnesses with their daily activities.
If you're thinking of trying stimulants such as methylphenidate to treat your ADHD Be aware that these are class B drugs, which mean that they can potentially lead to addiction. If you're concerned about this, your psychiatrist can refer you to an GP who can prescribe a different type of treatment that doesn't contain stimulants.
It can be frustrating and difficult to get an ADHD diagnosis. There are many factors to consider and the NHS is often overwhelmed and under-funded, making it easy for GPs, and other health professionals, to dismiss or downplay any possible diagnosis. It is helpful to take your symptoms to the appointment and try to be as objective as you can when describing them.
How do I find out if I have an appointment for a diagnosis?
If you are concerned that you or your child may have ADHD, the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause disruption to your life is to get a diagnosis. It's a difficult process, but it is essential to realize that the disorder is not a sign of laziness or insufficiency; it is simply a neurological condition. It is also important to realize that the correct treatment can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and improve the quality of your living.
A qualified professional will identify you by combining a detailed medical history, a review of your current symptoms and analysing the results of scales and questionnaires that are designed to determine ADHD in adults. They then apply the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) to determine a reliable diagnosis.
In addition to interviewing you and those close to you, the evaluator might want to carry out cognitive tests or medical examinations to determine if there are any underlying reasons for your symptoms. This could include things like seizures and thyroid disorders which may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD.
During the assessment it is important to be open about your issues, and how they impact you at home, work, or at school. This will allow the examiner to determine if you suffer from ADHD or a coexisting condition that is causing your symptoms.
If you're thinking about taking treatment, your physician will discuss it once the assessment is completed. Doctors are not permitted to prescribe ADHD medication. However, they can provide other mental health treatments like CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you decide to get a prescription from your physician and he or she will draft a document known as a Shared care Agreement for your GP which outlines the treatment you will receive on the NHS.
Asking your family and friends to recommend professionals who have experience in ADHD evaluations for adults is a great idea prior to undergoing a private assessment. You can also look online for reviews of the providers in your area and read about the various approaches they employ. If you prefer, you can use BetterHelp's user-friendly service to be matched with an experienced therapist within 48 hours.
Can I get a diagnosis using Right to Choose?
You are entitled to choose your mental health provider for an ADHD evaluation if you're a member of a military service. Once your chosen provider has prescribed treatment (usually medication or cognitive behavioral therapy) then you'll need to confirm that your GP is willing to accept either full treatment, or what's known as a shared care agreement. You can find out which providers have these agreements with the NHS by calling them directly. You can also check the waiting times on this site before you decide to go with a specific provider.
You will be asked about your symptoms, and the date they started in the event that your GP refers to an ADHD specialist via the Right to Choose path. This is to help your provider understand the extent of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Answer these questions in a clear and honest manner.
On the NHS website you can find out more about exercising Your Right to Choose. It's worth noting that the NHS currently doesn't provide the titration of medications through the Right to Choose pathway. Therefore, even if you get diagnosed through this method, you might not be in a position to get the medication you require.
Private clinics are one of the other options to receive an ADHD website diagnosis. BBC's Panorama recently exposed private clinics that provide affordable and quick diagnoses of ADHD. These practices could have serious repercussions for instance, when you attempt to claim benefits such as the Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable accommodations at work.
It's worth noting that the stimulants prescribed to treat ADHD are classified as Class B drugs which means they are subject to restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you are found guilty of committing an offence when using these drugs, you may face a large fine or even jail time.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD whether through the NHS or privately, you could be eligible for benefits for disabled people such as Income Support, Attendance Allowance or both, depending on the degree of the disorder. You will also need to submit a letter from the provider to prove this, as well as the copy of your medical documents.