ADHD diagnosis process UK - what you need to know
Charlotte Forbes ??
ADHD Coach & Founder of ADHD club ???? ADHD for the creative industries: content, coaching & community ??
It was recently reported it would take the NHS eight years to get through the backlog of ADHD diagnosis in the UK, a sobering figure.?
If I was thinking about getting an ADHD diagnosis, this might put me off, but getting a diagnosis is life-changing and can provide validation and access to support for people who have been struggling for years.
It's estimated aproximately 5% of the global population have ADHD so if it feels like everyone has ADHD these days that's because it is very common. It's also only been diagnosed in Adults since 2008 so its a relatively new area.
Considering aproximately 85% of people with ADHD are clinically diagnosed with another mental health condition, there are increased risks of suicide, addiction issues eating disorders and more with ADHD this needs to be taken seriously.?
Why get a diagnosis?
Getting a diagnosis is an individual choice but can be helpful if:
Before going through the diagnosis process myself I had no idea what to do so here's the information I wish I'd known!
Overview of the diagnosis process:
Preparing to see your GP
Before going to your GP think about why you think you have ADHD and how it affects multiple areas of your life. Look at the diagnosis criteria and think about examples in your life. I found it helpful to write down a list and this helped me to be more confident about speaking to a doctor.
Think about what the signs are that led you to believe you have ADHD?
If you are scared about talking to your GP (I was TERRIFIED), then you can even email them the list or print it out and bring it with you.
It can also be helpful to take an ASRS assessment to see what your score is and share that with your GP too.
2. Booking your GP appointment
Booking the GP appointment can feel really scary, this took me two months because I was putting it off.
Tips for booking a GP appointment:
3. Going to your GP appointment?
GP appointments are quick - normally less than 10 minutes so prepare what you need to say.
There may be additional paperwork to fill out before getting a referral, if there is - do get support to do this. I know so many people who are yet to get on a waiting list because of filling out a form, so get help if you need to.
领英推荐
4. Decide on your assessment options
ADHD UK have written about the assessment options here and I’ve summarised the options below.
Things to be aware of when getting a private assessment:
5. The assessment
The assessment will consist of background questions, and an interview. I will write on this separately another time but for now here’s a video where I talk about my experience.
Overall they run through questions about ADHD symptoms throughout childhood and adulthood and then make an assessment on if you have ADHD. Assessments can be online or in person.
Further reading:
NHS website on ADHD Diagnosis
ADHD UK information on how to get diagnosed https://adhduk.co.uk/diagnosis-pathways/
While you wait for an ADHD assessment
If you've got ADHD waiting is a nightmare so here are some ideas of what you can do.
Feel free to share this article with loved ones who are going through the process!
Hope this was helpful and speak soon,
Charlotte
Work with me??
?? Ready to learn & connect with others in the ADHD club? Join our next ADHD club workshop - on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria https://lnkd.in/ewk9PsS6
?? Love a good newsletter? Join the ADHD club mailing list https://lnkd.in/eRC2irjp
?? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me https://lnkd.in/eaWCFC9u
Founder @ Infraserve | Providing outstanding support and IT Security to SME, Schools and Charity
2 个月Great summary Charlotte Forbes Right to choose seems a bit of a secret for both adults and children. It always surprises me when I speak to people going through a diagnosis process and have never heard of right to choose. I used Dr J and Colleagues and have no complaints.
Thank you for sharing. It is confusing anywhere, but it seems like the UK is very complex
I help you craft a superficial brand & grow your community with a 150% profile boost and 3-4 leads < 90 days | LinkedIn Personal Brand Strategist & Designer.
3 个月Let me be the part of it Charlotte Forbes Nice that you promoted it.??
Business Analyst | Driving key strategies for growth and development
3 个月Nobody could have prepared me for the diagnostic process. I made the appointment only to be told fill in a form. A very hard and invasive form covering things I'd long buried with good reason. So I had a heavy backlash to that with symptoms and no mental health support. 6 week wait for my GP, few more because they'd delayed so long it was Christmas. Another form marginally more in depth and of course no support so another painful time, saw the psych and a rather anti climactic result. Then a short wait to see a prescriber who didn't understand my medical background but didn't ask and caused another 6 week delay, more dashed hope, symptoms kick back etc. Thankfully I was diagnosed with hiv in a time where nobody knew what to do and you had to stand your ground a lot. So I stood up and declined to see that person ever again, I had no confidence in them, second prescriber was a true beacon of hope and brilliance. Eventually the report came through confirming my diagnosis, I do wonder which call he was on though because I have a copy and they do not match up.