ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK, it is your legal right to choose who will conduct your NHS mental health assessments. But not all healthcare professionals are qualified to recognize ADHD.
Panorama has heard from whistleblowers and patients who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication without proper tests. We went undercover in order to learn more.
What is an assessment?
A psychiatrist will meet with you to discuss the impact of ADHD on your life and whether medication can aid you. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms and the issues they cause. You will also be asked about your family and work life. Some patients find it beneficial to note notes of their symptoms prior to their appointment. This helps them remember them. A psychiatrist is typically spending 45 to 90 minutes with you during an assessment.
There are two main ways to receive an adult ADHD assessment: the NHS or private. GPs should take any concerns about ADHD seriously and be willing to refer you for an assessment. The system is not without problems. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns about doctors prescribing powerful drugs over long periods of time and not considering the medical background of patients.
If you are concerned about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD consider a different GP. There's a great 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 care is much more efficient and professional, particularly in London. Costs typically range from PS600 to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists are experienced in screening adults from a variety of backgrounds and can offer an individual approach, particularly when you are likely to be highly intelligent or successful in your career. They can also screen for and help with co-morbidities, such as anxiety and depression which are frequently present in conjunction with ADHD.
The Psychiatrist will assess your symptoms and apply the DSM V criteria to determine whether you are eligible for an ADHD diagnosis. You will have to show six characteristics (symptoms) that are present in your daily life, and how they have affected your past experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then inform you on your options and next steps. You may decide to begin treatment, which may involve stimulants like methylphenidate. Stimulants belong to the class B drug and therefore controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act. They must be prescribed only by a doctor or psychiatrist registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnosis?
A diagnosis is a term used in medicine that refers to the diagnosis of a condition, illness or injury. A diagnosis is given by a doctor and is usually accompanied by a treatment plan. The diagnosis is an essential element of the curriculum for medical students, and it is an integral part in the training of doctors in all fields of medicine. The term is frequently utilized in medical journals and in health-related articles.
There are a number of ways to receive an ADHD diagnosis in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to a clinic or an adult ADHD specialist. A private psychiatrist can provide an assessment. Private psychiatrists typically have a lot of experience in diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and can provide the most rapid, professional and understanding process. They are also more aware of other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD like anxiety and depression.
You can discuss your treatment options with a psychiatrist once you have been diagnosed. This can include medication or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) along with other non-medicated treatments like mindfulness or relaxation techniques. You then have the option of deciding if you'd like to pursue the treatment option that best suits your requirements.
In addition to enabling you to seek treatment for your ADHD, a diagnosis can help you access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). In the case of DSA this is especially important because it assists with daily activities website that those with disabilities or illnesses need to be able to carry out.
If you're thinking about trying stimulants such as methylphenidate to treat your ADHD be aware that they are class B drugs which could cause addiction. If you're worried, your psychiatrist can refer to a GP that can prescribe a treatment without stimulants.
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and stressful process. There are a myriad of 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. You could bring a list or symptoms to the examination and try to be objective when explaining your symptoms.
How can I get a medical diagnosis?
You or your child may be suffering from ADHD. The first step to controlling symptoms that can affect your life is to obtain a diagnosis. It can be an emotional process, but it is essential to realize that the disorder is not an indication of lazyness or a lack of intelligence. it is merely a neurobiological issue. It is crucial to realize that the proper treatment will assist you in managing your ADHD and improve your overall quality of life.
A specialist will determine your diagnosis by combining a thorough history and a detailed review of your present symptoms, and analyzing the results of scales and questionnaires that are designed to determine ADHD among adults. They will then apply the criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine the most accurate diagnosis.
In addition to interviewing you and people close to you, the evaluator may be required to conduct cognitive tests or medical examinations to determine the root causes of your symptoms. This can include things like seizures and thyroid disorders, which can often have similar symptoms to ADHD.
During the examination, it is essential that you are honest about your symptoms and how they affect your life at home, work or at school. This is so that the examiner can determine if you have an ADHD diagnosis or a co-existing disorder which is causing your symptoms.
If you're thinking about taking medication, your doctor will discuss it once the evaluation is completed. GPs are not allowed to prescribe ADHD medication. However, they are able to offer other treatments for mental health such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you do decide to go for a prescription, your doctor will create a form for your GP called a Shared Care Agreement, which specifies what treatment you will be receiving on the NHS and with whom.
Before you go for a private diagnosis, it is recommended to consult your family and friends for recommendations of experts who have experience with ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also read reviews online regarding the services in your area and find out more about their procedures. You can also make use of BetterHelp's simple service to be matched within 48 hours with a therapist who is experienced.
Can I get a diagnostic through Right to Choose?
If you're an active member of the Armed Forces, you have a right to choose which mental health professional you're directed to for an ADHD assessment. You'll need to make sure that your GP will accept either full treatment or a'shared care agreement' after your chosen provider discharges you and prescribes treatment (usually medication or CBT therapy). You can find out which providers have these agreements with the NHS by calling them directly. You can check the waiting times of providers on 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 is to help your provider understand the extent of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Answer these questions with honesty and clarity.
You can find out more about how you can exercise your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. The NHS is currently not offering a titration for medications via the Right to Choose path. Even if you're diagnosed through this route, you might not be able to access the medication that you need.
Private clinics are among the other ways to get an ADHD diagnosis. BBC's Panorama recently exposed private clinics that offer quick and cheap diagnoses of ADHD. These shortcuts could have serious repercussions for instance, the case if you want to claim benefits like the Disabled Students Allowance or other reasonable accommodations at work.
It's important to note that the stimulants prescribed for ADHD are classified as Class B drugs which means they are subject to limitations under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're convicted of committing an offense of a criminal nature while taking these drugs, you could face a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, either through the NHS or privately, you could be eligible for benefits for disabled people like Income Support, Attendance Allowance, or both, based on the degree of the disorder. You will also need to submit a letter from the provider proving this, along with an official copy of your records.