Is there an easy way to get assessed for ADHD or as an adult?

Posted by Tythan@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 272 comments

ADHD is often overlooked in adults and based on my experience with NHS there is no way to get an assessment through my GP. What's your experience with that? Has anyone of you managed to get assessed as an adult and how?

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Odd_Blacksmith5615@reddit

I was actually diagnosed with it 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I was lucky enough to get a free private assessment through uni.

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Tea_Fetishist@reddit

How did you get a private assessment through uni? I'm half way through my uni course and really struggling, but even if I did go to my GP tomorrow to talk about ADHD, I'd have finished (or failed) the course before ever getting a diagnosis.

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Odd_Blacksmith5615@reddit

It’s believed I have autism but I’m struggling with waitlists for that so I went to student well-being to get advice and support. The conversation led to a mock adhd test, and I qualified for a referral to a private institution that is partnered with multiple unis across the country based in London called cf psychology. it cost me £75 but it’s refunded if you attend your assessment (I received the refund in less then a week). My advice would be go to your student support/well-being/union.

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Tea_Fetishist@reddit

Did it take long after being referred to get a diagnosis? I've spoken with the dyslexia and disability services team at my uni now and they're giving me an adhd screening next week. I believe they can then refer me to an educational psychologist with most of the costs covered, but I'm not 100% certain that's how it works, they sent me a generic leaflet that I guess they send out for all screenings but it only talks about dyslexia as that's probably what they deal with most.

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Odd_Blacksmith5615@reddit

Your uni will have a set day where they send stuff off, mine was Friday but my screening was on monday. Within 2 weeks I got an email from the psychologists asking me to do a pre assessment, mainly asking about your childhood. At roughly the same time as the pre assessment you should get a booking email, although they’re sent separately so don’t fret if they don’t arrive at the same time. Then you just book your slot, I will admit that the times available left me waiting a while. My screening was in February/march time and I couldn’t get an assessment till April, although I actually didn’t book it until April as I didn’t have the extra £75 lying around so I booked it in April when I got my student finance and got a slot at the start of may. Come your assessment you may be tested for other things aswell as dyslexia. For example I was tested for adhd, dyslexia, dyspraxia and something else, possibly dyscalculia but I can’t remember. I was told at the end of my assessment that I was diagnosed but it took another 2 weeks to get the full report which then triggered disabled student stuff with uni which took 20 mins to just sit down with them and discuss my needs. I didn’t get a leaflet but I did receive extensive information through a conversation and then a copy of that conversation sent to me via email. I had to pay for the assessment when I booked it, but it was fully refunded a few days later. If you don’t attend the assessment it’s not refunded.

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Tea_Fetishist@reddit

Thanks, I'll contact them, hopefully I have a chance.

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Admiral_Eversor@reddit

What would be the point of a diagnosis? I'm pretty sure I have ADHD, but I can't really see a benefit to getting diagnosed.

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arabidopsis@reddit

You can be prescribed drugs or get therapy to manage treat it. Exact same reason if you said "why get a depression diagnosis"

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Admiral_Eversor@reddit

I'm not unhappy, I'm just less productive than I could be. I'm not inclined to take drugs to make me more productive, idk 😅

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SlickAstley_@reddit

I agree, I have it too, exercise, diet and changes to your work environment should come first before taking pills IMO.

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

You have the condition and therefore know more than me. My son has it though so I do know a bit. I believe the best way is a combination of things including exercise, learning to use checklists and other systems, social support, workplace adjustment etc. For some people medication is an important part of a whole package. Some people use medication a few days a week or whatever works for them. Unlike many meds, a stimulant doesn't have to be taken every day.

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Selfconscioustheater@reddit

Does yiur son not deserve to be at his best for his own personal life and not just for others? Does he not deserve to be able to complete and give his full energy and capacities to his hobbies, not just his school work? Does he not deserve to be given all the tools available to him to do his chores at home more easily? Rather than risking being scolded for forgetting something or not doing it right, and then making felt like it's his own moral failure when he was missing something crucial to perform properly? Medicine isn't a reward, isn't something you only get to take when you deserve it. ADHD meds can and should be taken every day. Any other tool given to help them will never be as efficient and will never be implemented as efficiently without meds. You're actively harming your son by teaching him that meds are any less worth as a treatment than your checklists, your planners, your diet and wherever neurotypicals think people with ADHD needs to fix their brain chemistry. You don't have ADHD, stop approaching the problem with your regular brain. Stop vilifying literally THE most efficient tool people with ADHD have at their disposal to become the best version of themselves

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Exact-Professional82@reddit

I’m sorry but your beliefs and assertions are both clinically incorrect, and potentially damaging to your son. Please for his sake, allow him to take the medication every day if his clinician has recommended this. ADHD is a malfunction within the brain. It cannot be cured by exercise or diet. It is also a life limiting condition.

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iocheaira@reddit

There are [plenty](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/treatment/) of ADHD meds where it’s fine to take a break from them. Not everyone sees their ADHD as a ‘malfunction’ and it’s fine if people choose not to use medication all the time or at all if it works for them. It’s possible for some people to manage without meds with accommodations, extra support and coping strategies and they’re allowed to choose to do that.

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Exact-Professional82@reddit

Yes, that wasn’t the point. It’s not whether it’s ok to take breaks from them. It’s about challenging the poster’s beliefs that diet and exercise is ‘the best way’. Following on from this assertion, their statement that ‘medication doesn’t have to be taken every day’ is concerning in the context of their false beliefs about ADHD. Hence I stated that medication should be taken as recommended by a clinician. And in my personal experience, I have always been advised that one generally should take them every day, as symptoms immediately return to normal without it.

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iocheaira@reddit

A combination of things *is* best, even with meds you will feel and perform better with social support, accommodations and living a healthy lifestyle. And stimulants *are* safe to take a break from for many people. I haven’t seen a clinical guideline that contradicts this. We don’t need to judge (or downvote) people if they use things other than meds to help manage their ADHD. It’s fine, it’s not dangerous.

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Exact-Professional82@reddit

Please read both their posts and mine carefully before you come back yet again to argue about things that don’t exist. Thanks.

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iocheaira@reddit

I did, that’s why I know what they said was in line with NICE guidelines and many people’s experiences, and acting like they’re damaging their son is nonsensical.

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rennalaa@reddit

I'm glad your ADHD doesn't impact you greatly. Mine is predominantly attention deficit, so these 'simple' fixes really aren't that simple for someone like me and that's where the meds come in. It's quite harmful to suggest these alternatives when quite frankly, they don't work for a lot of us.

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KitchenSinkDramas@reddit

The problem is that, depending on the severity of symptoms, for many people with ADHD those changes are impossible to make without medication. I got diagnosed a few years ago, and my inability to stick with attempts at positive changes like diet and exercise etc were some of the issues discussed in my diagnostic appointment. When I was struggling so much with things like willpower, motivation, energy levels, attention span etc I just couldn't make those changes no matter how hard I tried, but the medication has enabled me to manage those issues as I never could have before. Without medication, I probably never would've been able to look after myself properly like this, but now I have the energy to manage a fitness routine, eat healthier and rethink my work space at home and my working routine. For some people, their symptoms are never going to let them make those changes before being prescribed appropriate medication. I can't speak for everyone, but for me personally, if I could have made those changes before medication, believe me I would have done.

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

It sounds like your condition is not impacting greatly on your life in a negative way. So you might not be diagnosed as having ADHD. Some people with ADHD are happier when using medication because they struggle less with getting things done and feel better about themselves because they can focus their attention.

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Admiral_Eversor@reddit

I've been dealing with it my whole life, and I have ways of managing it. I'm sure other people have it worse than me, and the benefits of diagnosis are obvious for them. My question was more directed towards cases where it's being managed effectively already - but I don't think that's clear, on reflection.

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Selfconscioustheater@reddit

Because it's stressful for no reason other than having life on hard mode. The coping mechanisms are often unhealthy and dubious in efficacy. The risk of heart diseases, depression, anxiety, suicide is higher in the undiagnosed/untreated population. Most people with undiagnosed adhd have garbage self esteem and are viewed in a more negative light by others because they are perceived as lazy, uncaring, unreliable and messy. They spend their entire life believing that their problem is a moral failure when it's neurobiological. Having a diagnosis means that they can understand that their struggle was valid and that they aren't any less than their neurotypical peers. They can seek solutions and help targeted towards their neurochemistry and predisposition rather than constantly failing at things they should have never been expected to be good at. It's being able to get medical help which is proven to be the most effective tool in treating a mental disorder out of all other treatments available and also being the most efficient treatment out of all other disorders. If someone needs glasses, we don't question it, we don't vilify them for not seeing well. Seeking glasses because you have trouble seeing is valid and right. Seeking a diagnosis and medication for your brin myopia is also valid and right, and someone coping well without a diagnosis isn't any better or more right than someone seeking external help.

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

That's great you've found ways of managing and don't feel the need for medication.

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fizzypopx@reddit

You do realise for most people it’s more than just ‘not being productive enough’? It’s absolutely debilitating to never, ever have a moment of quiet in your head or to be unable to ever perform at your full potential. It’s really difficult when you can’t maintain friendships or relationships because you either come on too strong or seem too distant, and you struggle to regulate your emotions like everyone else does. There are loads more things that some suffer with and some don’t, but I’d say for most people with ADHD it’s waaaayyy more than a bit of procrastination.

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tvthrowaway366@reddit

Workplace reasonable adjustments is the big one for me. Lots of people feel better once they’re medicated too.

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Admiral_Eversor@reddit

I feel like this is a double-edged sword. It would make the job more comfortable, but it's gotta harm progression prospects. Food for thought in any case. What adjustments are typically made for people with ADHD?

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herefromthere@reddit

If my boss wants me to do something, I asked that she email it and tell me when it needs to be done. If I have to send an email to loads of people, I have a colleague do a quick once-over on it to make sure there are no silly mistakes. I have a slightly more flexible work schedule, so I can take regular breaks and go and do some pushups or take a walk around outside. Adding an extra 40 minutes on my work day is not an issue. I have insomnia. If it's really bad, I can take a half day on no notice and get some shut eye in the morning, make it up later. I work from home most of the time, I have music on whenever I have to do something boring. Makes spreadsheet-wrangling so much more manageable. When I am in the office, I take the opportunity to talk to people. Knowing who people are, what makes them tick, what they do in the organisation makes me feel happy and connected and engaged, and therefore more effective. I know who to go to if I need help or if someone has a question I can't answer. My boss knows about my condition and I don't feel under the strain to hide it.

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drvictoriosa@reddit

I have ADHD, my employer knows and makes adjustments. I would say it hasn't harmed my progression prospects - quite the opposite. Having medication and the adjustments makes it so I can do my job better. I just got promoted recently too, and then knowing about my ADHD didn't make that harder. My adjustments are a mix because I have ADHD and sensory processing disorder, but there's a lot of overlap. I have an office in the quietest part of the building (I'm a lecturer so we all have our own offices). They switched the lights to better ones for me and I have noise cancelling headphones. I can also keep my camera off for online meetings and do knitting during meetings. We don't have strict rules about these last two but it makes it easier that there isn't an expectation for my camera to be on all the time and I don't have to explain why it's not. The biggest one has been shifting my teaching hours. We're all supposed to be available for teaching between 8am and 8pm but now I don't get timetabled before 10am. Gives my medication time to work (better for me, better for the students who don't get incoherent nonsense first thing in the morning) I realise I have a bit of a unique job and I have an employer who is probably a lot more aware than say some random office job. But I was worried before I disclosed it and asked for adjustments and I was pleasantly surprised.

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tvthrowaway366@reddit

I agree it’s a double-edged sword, but I think the trade-off is that it can stop you from getting sacked if there are genuine adjustments your employer can make. Depends on the job really. For office jobs, noise-cancelling headphones, regular screen breaks, explicit, clear instructions, firm deadlines

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WembleyToast@reddit

For a lot of us being undiagnosed led to years of suicidal tendencies or substance abuse I now no longer want to die or dope myself to high heaven and its all thanks to a mild dose of ADHD meds

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rennalaa@reddit

Did taking meds really help with substance abuse? I should be starting mine soon but I am very reliant on cannabis. I don't want to mix them, purely so I can try and do the titration properly but the anxiety it's giving me is unreal hahah.

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herefromthere@reddit

I used to have a cup of tea every hour on the hour all day. I started on a very low dose of Elvanse (lisdexamphetamine) and now I drink one cup of tea a day if that, and haven't felt any caffeine withdrawal.

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WembleyToast@reddit

My doctor suggested to continue smoking as usual as he didn't want withdrawal symptoms muddying the waters. My personal experience has been reduced usage and reduced anxiety/depression from the first week of medicine onwards. Its been fabulous and has helped me cut down without really doing anything differently. The craving just isn't there as much. I now only smoke in the evening on some nights instead of like 7 spliffs a day for 10 years like I did in the past. Don't let them start you on anything too high, though. I started on 30mg and I don't think people need to be blasted by 40 or higher right at the beginning. I'm also on Elvanse which is a somewhat gentler medication compared to things like adderall.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

A. to see if I can treat it B. So I can stop thinking that I am stupid and tell myself that there is a reason why I am doing something silly when I do something silly

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alphadelta6995@reddit

I would also like to know this

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Long_Joke_1792@reddit

Look up Right to Choose ADHD. You should be able to get seen quicker than traditional referral routes.

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jasperfilofax@reddit

ADHD seems to be a 'flavour of the month' at the moment. Not saying it doesn't exist or lots of people struggle with it. But lots of people like to feel unique and special, I'd be wary of private clinics, I believe there was one in the news recently misdiagnosing people as they profit from confirming peoples biases.

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arabidopsis@reddit

If they misdiagnose and then dispense drugs based on that it's breach of laws in being a medical practitioner.

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gobuddy77@reddit

Where the diagnosis is based on self reporting and there aren't any biomarkers it's easy for the medical professional to either knowingly or unknowingly cue the patient to give the right answers. In addition a bit of diligent Googling will help the patient give the answers that result in the wanted diagnosis. As having a single GP who actually knows you becomes more uncommon the risk of patients self diagnosing and then listing the appropriate symptoms is increasing. I helped write the guidelines for treating a particular condition a while back. I was amused when a couple of years later I had a doctor ask me questions about the symptoms in the exact order and using my exact words. Of course I could have steered them to any conclusion and any treatment I wanted.

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herefromthere@reddit

So are you saying that someone who finds that they suffer from those symptoms and tells you that they find that they suffer from these symptoms is a reason to doubt them? How does that make sense?

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gobuddy77@reddit

Because the symptoms are not unique to ADHD. A proper ADHD review will look to eliminate other causes before giving a definitive diagnosis.

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herefromthere@reddit

Who says they didn't? That journalist trolled ADHD subreddits and facebook groups for women with ADHD and stopped talking to people when they said they had a thorough diagnostic process. He spent months on it. NHS data also shows a diagnosis rate of about 95%.

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sphericalhorses@reddit

It's tremendously hard to prove misdiagnosis on self-reported symptoms. Especially when there are so many resources (and communities...) dedicated to coaching the self-diagnosed to attain a medical diagnosis.

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JenUFlekt@reddit

During the pandemic prescribing regulations in the US were relaxed to allow controlled substances like ADHD meds to be prescribed online. This led to private companies using social media to advertise their services and as it spread people started engaging and uploading content about it but it also contained [a lot of misinformation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35196157/). >"Most of these misleading videos oversimplified ADHD, recommended incorrect treatments or wrongly attributed symptoms of other psychiatric disorders as being a symptom of ADHD," >"Other videos took common, everyday experiences and incorrectly said that these were symptoms of ADHD. For example, poor focus or concentration can be a normal experience due to inadequate sleep, or also due to medical, psychological, or social and relationship stressors. We found that some misleading videos did not mention these important considerations and lacked nuance." The rise of on social media has lead to an increased awareness of ADHD beyond the US but not necessarily increased knowledge. [One of the largest telehealth companies is now being sued by a former executive for overprescribing ADHD meds in the US](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/former-cerebral-executive-files-lawsuit-alleging-unsafe-prescribing-practices).

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

I was reading that adhd may caused by maternal exposure to certain pollutants. While this may be incorrect ot partially correct, it would justify why so many people are reporting this nowadays compared to several years ago.

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jasperfilofax@reddit

That may be the case, my point is that in many bubbles ADHD is a very popular topic, which in turn creates lots of people trying to profit from it, wether that be articles to attract clicks, shoddy private clinics filling gaps in markets. I would just urge caution believing everything you see or read on this particular subject matter. Its like when newspapers would find scour for research about what foods are going to cause cancer next, its difficult to wade through the bullshit

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herefromthere@reddit

If a person believes they have ADHD because on reflection they have suffered the symptoms their whole life, reading about it somewhere is going to prompt them to seek a diagnosis. Do you believe that doctors are only motivated by financial considerations? If diagnosing people for profit is a motivator, is not diagnosing people because there isn't a budget for it not also a concern? Is the NHS failing people because there isn't a budget for ADHD treatment, because it was not widely known about before? Now it is widely known about, how do you feel is the best way to proceed, to treat people?

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

I do not think that I have ADHD because i read it somewhere I've been thinking this for a long time and I came across that article. I am aware that diagnoses based on a google search are common but I am not that kind of person. Still, I can't explain some thinks about myself

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herefromthere@reddit

It's a shit bandwagon. Why would anyone want to be disabled? Just to get crap speed? The private clinics find as many people as the NHS have ADHD. Please see the link below - this is the result of a freedom of information request. https://eput.nhs.uk/media/dzzk021d/eput-foi-22-2575.pdf

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tvthrowaway366@reddit

>ADHD seems to be a ‘flavour of the month’ at the moment. People have been saying this [for years.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500182/) >lots of people like to feel unique and special, maybe a little bit of Munchausen’s Is that what they taught you in medical school? >misdiagnosing people as they profit from confirming people’s biases They get paid to perform the assessments regardless of whether these assessments lead to diagnoses. Private clinics exist to release the massive strain on NHS services. The recent BBC Panorama report featured a journalist who repeatedly lied to clinicians about his symptoms; it’s not clear what the clinicians are supposed to have done wrong.

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MsB0x@reddit

I got an assessment through my GP. What lead you to the conclusion that you can’t? Waitlists are incredibly long, though. A lot of people are getting private assessments.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

>I got an assessment through my GP. What lead you to the conclusion that you can’t? The fact that my GP turned down my request lol I think that because of the current climate, they easily turn down the requests.

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triplenipple99@reddit

Did you say "I think I've got ADHD and want an assessment" i.e. did you self diagnose yourself? Or, did you call up, ask for an appointment, and at said appointment tell your GP your symptoms and explain how your quality of life is being affected by these symptoms?

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herefromthere@reddit

GPs get an hour of training on ADHD in their whole course of training. You can get to being a GP and not know anything about ADHD. If you go to your GP and say I feel (list ADHD symptoms) they are just as likely to tell you you are anxious or depressed or that there's nothing wrong with you. If you look into it, and believe ADHD explains your symptoms, and then go to your GP, get a referral and get to an expert... there is a more than 90% chance that you are right. No one else knows what is going on inside your head. It isn't possible to guess, and ADHD is still sadly niche enough (especially in women) that a lot of GPs don't have the expertise to point you in the right direction. I got diagnosed with depression twice and prescribed "powerful drugs" that I believe put my life at risk. I didn't have depression, I had ADHD.

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triplenipple99@reddit

>GPs get an hour of training on ADHD in their whole course of training Hence why they don't diagnose people with ADHD. >they are just as likely to tell you you are anxious or depressed or that there's nothing wrong with you. No, they're likely to refer you to a specialist for a diagnosis. >If you look into it, and believe ADHD explains your symptoms, and then go to your GP, get a referral and get to an expert... Isn't that exactly what I advised? >there is a more than 90% chance that you are right. Utter tripe. Source please. >I got diagnosed with depression twice and prescribed "powerful drugs" that I believe put my life at risk. I didn't have depression, I had ADHD. Welcome to the world of diagnosing mental health conditions. Unfortunately, we are a long way away from sticking someone in a scanner and spitting out a completely accurate diagnosis.

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herefromthere@reddit

You're being quite rude. When I come back with the study, will you apologise? Why would you find this hard to believe?

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triplenipple99@reddit

Well, I'll take a look at it, analyse the findings and methods and decide for myself whether it is a robust study. I will give you my most humble apologies if this is the case. It just doesn't seem correct to me considering that people thinking they are having a heart attack aren't right 90% of the time. Hell, I doubt 90% of people presenting with a fracture actually have one.

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herefromthere@reddit

I heard about the studies from ADHDadult UK, the two main chaps there are recovering academics, with PhDs in neuroscience. Since then I've seen a few freedom of information requests but can't lay cursor to the studies. If I find something more substantial I will send it on. I'd be grateful if you would let me know what you think, and if you find something. I have been through private diagnosis and am currently in titration. It was not easy, but I can tell you that an ADHD meme changed my life and lead me to a youtube video nearly three hours long. I watched it all and cried my eyes out. It was me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzhbAK1pdPM&list=PLzBixSjmbc8eFl6UX5_wWGP8i0mAs-cvY

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triplenipple99@reddit

I'm working towards my PhD in Neuroscience/psychology and I'm specialising in attention and motivation. The 90% figure really rang alarm bells for me because nothing is that cut and dry, let alone mental health diagnoses. If 90% of referrals are being diagnosed with ADHD that would be a serious cause for concern. Like I said, I can't think of another health condition that shares that kind of referral-diagnosis ratio. I appreciate your interest in the topic and I'm glad you found the resources that helped you through the difficult process but I hope you appreciate that not everyone who thinks they have ADHD actually has ADHD. Personally I am quite concerned with the recent increase in ADHD diagnoses, especially the surge of children being diagnosed, and I'm especially concerned that more and more people are turning to private clinics which are solely motivated by revenue. I hope you can appreciate this perspective.

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JenUFlekt@reddit

>If 90% of referrals are being diagnosed with ADHD that would be a serious cause for concern. Like I said, I can't think of another health condition that shares that kind of referral-diagnosis ratio. There are essentially guides out there that tell people what to tell their doctors to get a diagnosis. [The last sentence here](https://www.adhdadult.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Key-issues-for-assessment-interview.pdf) really stood out.

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triplenipple99@reddit

Jesus fucking Christ. Might as well just sell amphetamines down the local sweet shop.

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herefromthere@reddit

More awareness means more chance of people thinking they have it. Seems that simple to me. Not everyone who thinks they have ADHD has ADHD. Some might have PTSD for example, which can have very similar presentations. Many people have both. My question would be if it is more detrimental to have a false positive, or to be undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed with something else and denied proper access to a very effective treatment. If doctors running private clinics can't be trusted to not take advantage, why is the NHS referring people to them? If the NHS doesn't have the budget to treat ADHD (because they didn't plan for this explosion in awareness) doesn't that incentivise them to screen out people who DO HAVE ADHD? Many, women in particular, find that they are screened out or misdiagnosed early on because their symptoms don't match what the GPs are looking for, because though there is some research, there is not enough, and not enough awareness of that research amongst GPs and other NHS staff to allow them to properly guide people in need of help?

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herefromthere@reddit

A heart attack could be a panic attack or heartburn or a benign ectopic heartbeat. Those are very easily and quickly assessed. A fracture, you can do an xray. One trip to a hospital, and you get your answer, yes or no or how bad. That's not how it works with ADHD. The people who don't have ADHD will mostly screen themselves out. ADHD... someone describes your life and your inner thoughts. You think about it. Overthink about it. Dismiss it for a while because you've been diagnosed with depression or some sort of personality disorder, but it doesn't fit. Something happens to shake your coping mechanisms, you're forced to re-think. You don't get round to getting help, trundle on. Ask for help, get a form, look at it on the table for a couple of months. Finally fill it in. Then there's supporting documents. Got to dig those out. Listen to a podcast or three. More people describing your symptoms you didn't know were symptoms. By the time you've dragged yourself to screening, especially if you've had to save or scrape together hundreds for a private diagnosis... if you were not absolutely certain you wouldn't. No one has that much money ready to fling around. Not when you're working class and middle aged and still only just above minimum wage.

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herefromthere@reddit

The NHS figures https://eput.nhs.uk/media/dzzk021d/eput-foi-22-2575.pdf

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triplenipple99@reddit

What's a conversation rate?

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herefromthere@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/w9ge96jo7m0b1.jpg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=b0869c4cb8b288fc83ca92f273171bf66e313aa1 for a start. The world of diagnosing mental conditions can do better. Just because it's shit doesn't mean we can't learn and improve. By the time someone's gone private, they're not going after an ADHD diagnosis for shits and giggles.

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djthinking@reddit

Please don't suggest that all private assessments are bad. You'd be right to be sceptical of the online ones farming diagnoses in 30 mins, but that's not the only option to a 3-year NHS waiting list. Suggesting they should *all* be avoided is not helping anyone. There are plenty of legitimate psychiatrists out there. I went down the private route to be re-assessed at 40 (originally diagnosed in my teens) because I could afford to at the time. The assessment and private scripts weren't cheap, but I'm under NHS care now and the entire experience was a positive one.

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triplenipple99@reddit

How much did your assessments and scripts cost if you don't mind sharing? Also what were you prescribed?

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oeuflaboeuf@reddit

Was there a clinical rationale behind your GP declining the request or was it arbitrary without assessment? You could always consider asking for a second opinion, or even changing to a new surgery?

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

He mentioned something like "we all have a bit of ADHD". NHS is fucked up.

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Bakanasharkyblahaj@reddit

GRRRR!!! Same as "everybody's a little autistic"!!! Like yep, everybody gets irritated by certain minutiae, finds some social interaction difficult, & has a particular focus on stuff they like, but to be considered autistic the difference between you & the average Joe, Jo, & Joey has to be noticeable & your life different enough because of it.

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Flyawaylittlemonkey@reddit

Shows the severe lack of understanding. We all do have issues with procrastination, timekeeping, disorganisation, timekeeping, etc. ADHD is defined as having those issues to the extreme and having an impact on your quality of life. It's like saying "everyone has asthma" because you once felt a bit breathless when running up hill. You can experience a mild form of the same kind of experience on occasion but you wouldn't be diagnosed unless it was severe and impactful.

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Imaginary_Moose_2384@reddit

I was recommended to a local free therapy service by the GP and told that if they produced an ADHD diagnosis he could then take it forward with treatment, if that helps!

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bluejackmovedagain@reddit

Some parts of the country now have referral thresholds that are well in excess of the diagnostic criteria for adults just to keep people off the waiting list. North Yorkshire are only referring adults who are a risk to themselves or others, or who are involved in family or criminal court proceedings, neither of which are relevant issues for the majority of adults with ADHD.

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MsB0x@reddit

Ah right - that’s not how your post reads. I had to go with a list of reasons I believed I had ADHD and then fill in a referral form. Is there another GP you can see at your surgery.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks sorry if it was not clear. I have recently moved so I technically have to change my GP. I'll try again then, thanks.

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LordGeni@reddit

I'm in the process of getting assessed through my university. They mentioned that the NHS waiting time is currently 4 years and growing. Apparently the recent growth in awareness, especially for women has completely swamped the available resources.

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MsB0x@reddit

Definitely go prepared with a list of reasons you think you may have it. It’s also important to stress that it’s affecting your quality of life - that’s a key phrase that often sparks concern.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Well it does, so it:s not that I would be lying I appreciate that, thanks

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Ellen_Degenerates86@reddit

You will have to fill in a lot of forms, and you will immediately forget everything because ADHD... What I did, was I had a note on my phone that every time I ran into issues, or remembered a "symptom" or problem, I wrote it down. Then when I was going through my diagnosis, I was able to use real life examples of issues that arise.

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LifelessLewis@reddit

I'm in the process of referral, and just so you know I was advised of a 2 year wait time....

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Sleepywalker69@reddit

Advised 2 years, it's been 5(?) I think for me now. Diagnosed 2 years ago though Psychiatry UK

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LifelessLewis@reddit

Ah shit I should probably get onto them!

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_DeanRiding@reddit

I was advised the same thing. Right to Choose with Psychiatry UK makes that 6 months though.

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Sasspishus@reddit

Depends where OP lives. That's not an option in Scotland.

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LifelessLewis@reddit

I'm in England but that's really annoying it's not an option up there!

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LifelessLewis@reddit

Yeah someone mentioned that before, the problem is my, suspected, ADHD stopping me from going that route haha

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char11eg@reddit

I was lucky that my GO referred me through Psych UK without me having to ask. But, I will say, it’s probably worth you asking your GP to refer you that way. It was pretty painless, and a pretty simple process to go through it with Psych UK, and only took like four months or so. Then again, no clue what the core NHS system is like, or how much faff it is. It might be better even, just much slower haha

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LifelessLewis@reddit

I'd be willing to bet that it wouldn't be better through the NHS haha. Thanks for the insight though, I'll try get around to doing it!

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks. It seems the average waiting time for anything via NHS. I am on a 2 years waiting list for surgery as well.

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LifelessLewis@reddit

It sucks. Hope you get the surgery you need soon dude.

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tvthrowaway366@reddit

You’ll get a letter every six months reminding you you’re still on the list, which is nice of them I guess. Hope it’s not too long and you get the outcome you need.

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LifelessLewis@reddit

Thank you

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motherof_geckos@reddit

Just as an fyi, many MANY people have done this and still get rejected, myself included. Having an existing diagnosis often pushes you back/gets pushed back because of ‘similar symptoms’; not forgetting the difference in presentation between men and women typically, which often leads women to not get diagnosed at all or considerably later. Right to Choose is a uk charity that, iirc, enables you to pursue a private diagnosis for ADHD or autism, cost- free. I recommend having a look into it, as there’s template letters available etc.

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MsB0x@reddit

I realise that, but it sounds like OP didn’t do all of the things mentioned which makes it a good place to start

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AussieHxC@reddit

Uhh... What? Right to choose is literally that, where NHS services are not available within the maximum waiting time for that treatment or service, you have the legal right to choose your provider including private providers and the NHS will pay for it.

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Cabrundit@reddit

Definitely try again. Definitely go with a list and as advised you must explain how it impacts your life. As far as I remember, to be diagnosed the symptoms must impact at least two area's of your life significantly (eg. Work/relationships).

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

So I should 've been referred easily lol

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Cabrundit@reddit

Definitely if you covered all that! Sorry you had an awful experience!

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AussieHxC@reddit

Here's some information on how to prepare etc https://www.adhdadult.uk/diagnosis/

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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

I went to my GP with a list of reasons, her reply was "ill be shocked if you don't have it" I'm now on a 4 year waiting list. Only 3 years to go

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Possibly_Famous@reddit

Whereas my experience was "Well you've managed fine this long why do you need a diagnosis?" Granted that was about 4-5yrs ago now of course I can't even get an appt without swinging on the phone every morning as all online appointment booking is suspended at my surgery, and tbh sometimes I just can't be arsed anymore

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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

Yeah some GPs are blind. I'd be willing to wager you haven't managed just fine this long?

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Robster881@reddit

Your GP isn't technically allowed to turn down a referral request due to NICE guidelines, though they are told to gate keep hard. They usually give out self assessments to work out whether you're actually impacted in your day to day by a condition like ADHD. Did they offer you a self assessment document? Only a psychologist or other doctor specifically trained in relevant fields are able to say whether you have the condition or not and usually quoting NICE will force their hand.

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herefromthere@reddit

Just to note, the assessments are BRUTAL if you have ADHD.

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proudgoose@reddit

They can't turn down requests. By law. Go back to your GP and don't leave until you get an assessment

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

>They can't turn down requests. >By law. Source?

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proudgoose@reddit

Right to choose.

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Fireballdingledong@reddit

Yes that's not to do with referrals but where you choose to go for your diagnosis. Under right to choose they can't just decide not to deal with you without reason but that's unrelated to the GP deciding to provide a referral.

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Fireballdingledong@reddit

Can csn decide they don't think there is enough reason to seek diagnosis and not provide a referral. Whether you think it's right is up to you but it's not a legal requirement for a GP to refer you for a diagnosis.

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xdragonteethstory@reddit

My partner went private, cost him about £600 up north in 2018. He was diagnosed and on meds within the month. Might be worth looking into.

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smokeywokeypokey@reddit

Probably thought you didn’t need it

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

If GP can't do the actual assessment, why they would decide if I need an assessment or not?

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hlfsharkaligtorhlfmn@reddit

They need enough evidence to suggest there is a reason for referral. Waiting lists can be years though. Go on nhs and look at symptoms, create ammo for.your argument. You're allowed a 2nd opinion also...

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Banditofbingofame@reddit

My local health board aren't doing them for adults. I was referred by my GP and we got a letter back basically saying children only at the moment try again in November when we probably will still be only seeing children. Also here's a link to a website with poor generic advice

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sickiesusan@reddit

But who did you end up seeing for the assessment. Is it a counsellor you see for this or psychologist?

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MsB0x@reddit

It was a nurse practitioner who did my assessment and then a follow up with a consultant who prescribed my meds.

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sickiesusan@reddit

Thanks!

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Mattie_1S1K@reddit

Can confirm, I’m two year in to my two year wait list, had first assessment just waiting to be signed off but haven’t heard anything about 8 months, when I rang to find out if I was still on list

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PlumbTuckerd@reddit

Yeah it works for you then more power to you.

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Bakanasharkyblahaj@reddit

You need a neuropsychologist. Ask for a referral to one. I saw a neuropsychologist at 27 & they told me after one session I was autistic, & they were correct.

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Nearby_Cicada_8346@reddit

https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/

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jcl3638@reddit

In my borough/NHS Trust area, they don't assess adhd over age 18. I've been put on a waitlist but I have been warned it's possibly a 3 year wait and I have to travel to the next county along for the assessment. I only got on the list because a psychotherapist made the referral. My gp wasn't unterested

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PlumbTuckerd@reddit

I get it. But it's a given that everyone is different. I think the key is to realise other people's perception of you are there business.

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Nod_Bow_Indeed@reddit

BBC Parorama recently did a report on *some* private clinics providing bogus ADHD assessments. I would watch it to understand your options if you consider going private at any point to understand how thorough an assessment should be for ADHD

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AussieHxC@reddit

And it's been absolutely slated for misrepresentating the situation, failing to meet BBC reporting standards, failing to involve the affected communities and the various charities and support organisations. Hell the journo in it has been found out to have been making fake online accounts to infiltrate women only support spaces. The actual NHS psychiatrist in the show it has already come out to say that private diagnoses are not the major issue they are presented to be in the show and that there's a huge issue in the NHS about it - he even runs his own private clinic. I could go on but it's not rise of my time writing this letter to my MP tbh. [Please have a quick read ](https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/) of this response to the show from the ADHD foundation.

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CensorTheologiae@reddit

>Hell the journo in it has been found out to have been making fake online accounts to infiltrate women only support spaces. Any info you could share about this? I've seen this happen before, though not with this particular journo.

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AussieHxC@reddit

Appears I was a little ahead of myself and the fake accounts detail is conjecture but here is the [thread in question ](https://twitter.com/Emily_Mckenzie/status/1658634695318421511?s=20)

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CensorTheologiae@reddit

Thanks.

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AussieHxC@reddit

Couple of other folks experiences with him/his team ignoring or misrepresenting people's experiences if you're interested https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/comments/13k57ad/did_rory_carson_talk_to_you_did_he_only_speak_to/jkj3mk0?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3 https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/comments/13i1ul1/panorama_docarticle_sticky_thread/jkabort?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3

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CensorTheologiae@reddit

Thanks for these too. For what it's worth and going on my own experience, I think Emily M is right. It'd be typical that the 'friend' who kept the journo informed, if that friend exists, was an employee on the same team.

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Nod_Bow_Indeed@reddit

Good to know. I hadn't heard of the backlash until now. Thank you

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AussieHxC@reddit

Not to worry! I'm just a bit .. ragey. They had someone on radio 4 to say that 50% of diagnoses were inaccurate and that people were just trying to pathologise their difficulties in life. Presented as fact despite being completely unsubstantiated and unchallenged by the host.

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CSPVI@reddit

This show has been very harshly criticised. A few years ago Panorama had to issue an apology for another ADHD programme they lied in. This time, they didn't show any of the pre-assessment work that anyone with ADHD who has been through diagnosis would have gone through. Also they showed their reporter talking to an NHS Psychiatrist; which we all know takes 3 years to happen and only then if you're GP isn't as useless as 50% of them seem to be from ADHD groups I'm part of. The clinics they used are all ones the NHS works with every day, with NHS doctors supporting their diagnosis (as they should, being specialists). It's already doing harm to patients whose GPs have started this week to refuse shared care. My parents (who never took my diagnosis seriously) saw it and gave me shit for it too. If someone believes they have ADHD enough to pay thousands of pounds of treatment, there's a good chance they have it. Before they see a doctor they will have spent a couple of hours filling out forms the doctor uses for their diagnosis. It was a horrible, scaremongering, piece of shit "journalism" that's going to cause problems for a lot of people with this condition.

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Nod_Bow_Indeed@reddit

Thanks for your comment. I hadn't heard of the backlash until now. And I hadn't understood the damage the report could cause to those with ADHD

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herefromthere@reddit

I was diagnosed through a private clinic (countless forms and online tests, two and a half hours with a nurse practitioner with 20 years experience, an hour and a half with a psychiatrist, follow up tests and physical observations before going on to medication and more monitoring). The Panorama programme has caused my elderly mother's blood pressure to go through the roof, because they played scary music and used the phrase "powerful drugs" repeatedly, and said that the clinics were in it for the money. I'm having to have big emotional discussions with someone who isn't physically fit for it and is getting more and more worked up. Panorama didn't cover that people with untreated ADHD live lives on average 11 years shorter than their neurotypical peers. That we are prone to accidents, addiction, bad eating habits, not looking after ourselves, because brains are funny things. I can't tell you how much I have lost out on in the course of my nearly four decades, that I thought was normal for most of my life and that I was just a useless shit human. Tens of thousands of people are in the same position or worse. All those wasted years being treated for depression I didn't have. The "powerful drugs" that GPs prescribed to me that did nothing but make me feel worse because they didn't know enough about ADHD to treat me properly. Panorama can get in the bin. Upwards of 90% of people who pay for an ADHD assessment have ADHD. Other conditions can have similar symptoms so it is good to check with an expert. But knocking people back because the GP got an hour of training on it about it being something that makes little boys bounce off walls, and because the NHS is underfunded... Nope. Tens of thousands of vulnerable, stigmatised people, being told they're just rubbish and need to get it together and get organised and make a list, are now having a harder time because of that programme. I'm very angry and I don't blame you, I'm just getting it out. Please don't let anyone pass that programme as information, it was lies, and it fell far below the standard of journalistic integrity and professional ethics, causing harm to a lot of people already in disadvantaged circumstances.

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tvthrowaway366@reddit

>bogus ADHD assessments They’re not bogus. He lied to the psychiatrists and pretended he was symptomatic. There’s no objective test for ADHD; practitioners can only take patients at their word. I appreciate I may seem like I am nitpicking here but I think it’s important to stress the clinics in that documentary weren’t behaving unethically.

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

My understanding is that at least one clinic didn't use a psychiatrist at all in the process of assessment. In one case a pharmacist carried it out - I think that's questionable practice at least. One assessment apparently only took an hour and 40 minutes. In my opinion the problem is a lack of capacity in the NHS.

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Confident-Truth4206@reddit

Even on the NHS ADHD can be and often is diagnosed by a psychologist or specialist nurse. The 1 hour 40 was the first part which would have been followed by another hour long assessment. ADHD Direct, the service mentioned provide detail here https://adhddirect.co.uk/adhd-direct-our-response-to-panorama/ This is also how the NHS often operates in it's adult diagnostic procedure.

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

Thanks for the info. Maybe in the NHS the service has a psychiatrist who runs the service? My son was diagnosed in adulthood by an NHS psychiatrist who also did work through a private clinic because at that time there was no budget for adult ADHD assessment. This is in Scotland. Our son attended two lengthy appointments and we as parents were asked for a full detailed social and educational history. The guy who did the assessment is the foremost Scottish adult ADHD psychiatrist and wrote the guidance for Scotland. I'm still not convinced of a pharmacist having the required knowledge and skills to make this assessment. But maybe under the supervision of a psychiatrist. I agree that ADHD is still often not recognised. Our son went through school with the usual ADHD problems and was assessed as not having ADHD by CAHMS. When he went away to uni and we were not there everything went wrong hence the private assessment.

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Confident-Truth4206@reddit

I was under the impression it was a nurse prescriber rather than a pharmacist so maybe I missed that detail in the documentary. I can't find anything in the NICE guidelines that suggests a nurse prescriber can't make the initial call to begin treatment but in my experience that has always been down to the psychiatrist to establish and the nurse prescriber will take the lead on titration thereafter. He never went through the rest of the process so we can't know but tbh, if that's the case and titration can go ahead without psychiatrist input then I personally wouldn't be happy. I was diagnosed through right to choose and titration took 8 months, looking at the fees involved that would have been upwards of 2 grand had I gone private and if there was no psychiatrist involvement at all I'd feel ripped off. Such a shame that the right to choose isn't applicable in Scotland, I'm glad your son got the assessment but the fact so many people are left with private as their only pathway is really disappointing.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks. I definitely cannot afford going private, so there's no risk there.

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mimivuvuvu@reddit

My friend managed to get tested via her workplace (her workplace funded private tests). Is this something your place of employment can fund for you?

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

I could check, good idea. Thanks.

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shecanrawr@reddit

Look at ‘Right to Choose’. You can get a private assessment funded by the NHS. There’s still waiting lists, but not nearly as long as those for most NHS Trusts. You do still need to fill out pre-screening forms and you do still need to be referred for it via your GP though, it sounds like yours is biased and dismissive. Perhaps try another within the same practice? Please do not watch or be influenced by that biased, sensationalist Panorama ‘documentary’.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks. I was not planning to watch it, thank you you for your input L

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xDroneytea@reddit

That report is a load of rubbish and has had a lot of deserved backlash. The NHS refers people to private clinics and pays for it via Right to Choose. Even with the clinics mentioned in this report. Plus the report had multiple people lied in order to try and obtain restricted medication. And also doesn't take into account that you can be on a waiting list for 3-5 years via the NHS for ADHD just to get through and be instantly dismissed. As many clinics are underdiagnosing to avoid more work loads. OP do your due diligence and cut through the smoke on the internet. If you do really think you have ADHD and it's affecting your day to day life then you can go private via Right to Choose and the NHS will pay for it. It happened to me 2 years ago and has turned my life around.

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Solid_Bake4577@reddit

I have recently had to go private for my autism diagnosis - it cost about £1500. The GP would have happily referred me, but the wait was in excess of 2 years. I was too curious about the process to wait, did my research, and went with a provider who used NHS guidelines within their assessments. If your GP isn't referring you then you may need a second opinion, but he does need a reason rather than "I think I've got ADHD." My advice is to keep a diary. Also, talk to members of your close family to both see if there could be historical precedent,and see if they have observed behaviours in you that might be related to ADHD, without feeding them what it is you're looking for. Once you've compiled some data, then go to your GP.

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mcsnoogins@reddit

Go private, they hand out ADHD diagnosis like sweeties according to panorama.

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badger906@reddit

Just a curiosity. But why do people as adults need to get a diagnosis for ADHD, if they’ve got this far into life and it’s not effected things too much or enough to make for a difficult life. Reason I say, I’m 34, I’m the literal poster child for ADHD symptoms, many people too over the years have said they think I’ve a form of autism or ADHD etc. so it’s evident. But at this point I feel like what’s the point in going and getting a label. What will it change. I’ve got this far in life. Part of me thinks it’s a benefit more than a curse. Yes aside from hobby swapping like it’s going out of fashion, I’m hyper focused on everything I do, so I basically become an expert lol and I love diving into the unknown of a new hobby. About the only change that doesn’t make me anxious lol

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herefromthere@reddit

How many times have you lost a job because of ADHD symptoms? Have you reached your potential? Did you get any qualifications? I'm in my late 30s. I was gifted and did very well academically in school until A Level, but I was a bit slow socially, had no friends, totally isolated, terribly badly organised, forgot my books half of the time accidentally, half of the time on purpose because I was almost physically incapable of doing homework. Got my Alevels in coursework heavy subjects, passed with Ds and Es. Bounced around job to job, no career, no sense of the passage of time, making silly mistakes and caring deeply about it. Feeling like utter failure for years. Being told to my face by employers and family "you are wasting your potential". No career means rubbish pay. I'm on just above the living wage, with a decade of relevant experience, just no qualifications and a hint of desperation at hiring time. I'm not a criminal, I'm doing alright at work currently, I've not developed any addictions or serious health problems. I'm doing alright. But having a diagnosis has allowed me to explore a community with whom I share an almost frightening amount. Experiences I thought were just me being odd. Things I thought were normal, that are not. Tips and tricks. I've gone from feeling like an alien to feeling like a human with a condition that is no longer limiting my life. I got a diagnosis, I got medicated, and suddenly my life is... so much more. I have opportunities. My house is clean. I've got mental energy and I feel calm and happy, rather than trapped. It's lead to so much self-awareness, where before I was self-conscious and anxious. That can be quite confronting at times, noticing ways in which I had not been doing well, when before I thought I was fine. Life is so much better now. Having a diagnosis has made me understand that I never was depressed. I've been misdiagnosed with depression before.

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badger906@reddit

Thanks, was the explanation I was looking for! I’ve never lost a job, but I’ve only ever had one job, did my work experience in a retail store and never left. The idea of changing careers is a crippling prospect. I’m management level, but it’s a small chain of stores so pay isn’t amazing. But enough for me. At school I was very gifted until exams. I never got questions wrong, I just lacked the ability to explain other answer which was 90% of the marks. I did A levels too, got ACD. But it was just an excuse not to have to leave my comfort zone if being honest. You ask if I’ve reached my potential? Certainly not. The one gift I have is that I absorb information like a sponge. My memory for names, faces and things that just happened is bad lol, but I always joke that everything I put my hand to I become an expert at. But not long enough to be great. I guess where all different, I’m happy as long as my world is simple. Don’t like drama, don’t like change, certainly don’t like people much lol. I’m terrible as teaching people. I get instantly frustrated when someone doesn’t understand what I’ve said, as in my mind I don’t have another way of saying to.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Not everyone experience the issue like you and it's not about "getting this far in life" but abou HOW you get so far in life.

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grahamssister@reddit

I haven't looked into it myself, but be wary of private clinics [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65534449](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65534449)

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herefromthere@reddit

You should be aware that documentary was very badly biased and misleading. They didn't seek any comment from any ADHD charities or organisations, and the journalist allegedly infiltrated a womens support group fishing for people with a bad story to tell, ignoring the thousands of people who had perfectly sensible diagnoses through private clinics. Upwards of 90% of people who present for ADHD assessment through the NHS get diagnosed. Before you jump through hoops and pay out hundreds of your hard-earned, you're going to be fairly certain you have ADHD. Statement from ADHD Foundation: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/ link to a freedom of information request to an NHS group showing that 95% of people who get to that stage have ADHD in the NHS. It's no different with private clinics.

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ArmadilloOtherwise77@reddit

There was a documentary on BBC about this the other day and it was on the news. Don't go to a private clinic. They charge so much money and give almost everyone a positive diagnosis for ADHD even when they don't have it.

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herefromthere@reddit

> You should be aware that documentary was very badly biased and misleading. > > They didn't seek any comment from any ADHD charities or organisations, and the journalist allegedly infiltrated a womens support group fishing for people with a bad story to tell, ignoring the thousands of people who had perfectly sensible diagnoses through private clinics. > > Upwards of 90% of people who present for ADHD assessment through the NHS get diagnosed. Before you jump through hoops and pay out hundreds of your hard-earned, you're going to be fairly certain you have ADHD. > > Statement from ADHD Foundation: > > https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/ [link to a freedom of information request to an NHS group](https://eput.nhs.uk/media/dzzk021d/eput-foi-22-2575.pdf) showing that 95% of people who get to that stage have ADHD in the NHS. It's no different with private clinics.

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Ellen_Degenerates86@reddit

I was diagnosed this Jan after initially submitting my first assessment form to my GP in May 2021. There was a documentary recently about misdiagnosing at least 10% or more of people who go private - the long & short is if you're willing to pay for private, you're guaranteed a diagnosis. Whilst a longer waitlist, it was rigourous and I felt accurately diagnosed. Did you GP justify why it wouldn't submit? I was under the impression that if it's in your best interest, they cannot say no?

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herefromthere@reddit

That documentary said that 90% of people who present get diagnosed with ADHD, not that 10% were misdiagnosed. Those 10% might have thought they had ADHD, but perhaps their symptoms were not quite severe enough, or they had other mental health problems that closely resemble ADHD. The figures in the Panorama programme were badly interpreted, and it did not show that the figures for the NHS are broadly similar. Someone did a freedom of information request to an NHS area and they responded saying 95% of people who had presented there asking for an ADHD diagnosis did have ADHD.

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ClemDog16@reddit

I went private - in the county I was living in at the time the waiting list was 5 years

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PlumbTuckerd@reddit

What do you hope to gain by getting a diagnosis?

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spanksmitten@reddit

>“Why do you need a label?”/ Because there is comfort in knowing you are a normal zebra, not a strange horse. Because you can’t find community with other zebras if you don’t know you belong. And because it is impossible for a zebra to be happy or healthy spending its life feeling like a failed horse. That summed it up well for me, but also access to help I needed.

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oeuflaboeuf@reddit

My wife was referred by our GP (around a year ago) ... Unless you can pay private I imagine this is the only way.

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spanksmitten@reddit

Have a look at 'right to choose'

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Intelligent-Tea-4241@reddit

There was an episode of panorama about this. Private companies tell everyone they have ADHD after 40 minute assessment.

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herefromthere@reddit

You should be aware that documentary was very badly biased and misleading. They didn't seek any comment from any ADHD charities or organisations, and the journalist allegedly infiltrated a womens support group fishing for people with a bad story to tell, ignoring the thousands of people who had perfectly sensible diagnoses through private clinics. Upwards of 90% of people who present for ADHD assessment through the NHS get diagnosed. Before you jump through hoops and pay out hundreds of your hard-earned, you're going to be fairly certain you have ADHD. Statement from ADHD Foundation: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/

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Miasmata@reddit

I asked my GP about it and she asked whether the diagnosis would actually help or not, and said that pretty much everyone who gets assessed ends up getting diagnosed. She did give me a form to fillmout to start the process but of course I kept forgetting to fill it out and now I don't know where it is lol

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herefromthere@reddit

> whether the diagnosis would actually help or not Sounds pretty ignorant. What harm could it do? Honestly, I did the same, I got my GP to send me the forms, put them aside while I collected all the documents they ask for... it took months and such a lot of effort. Time blindness is a pain in the proverbial.

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PaddysThong@reddit

https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/ This should give you everything you need. There’s still a waiting list but it’s considerably shorter than the NHS’ waiting list I used these people myself and they’ve been extremely accommodating. I guess it’s a private service but paid for through the NHS so it’ll only cost you money should you REALLY be desperate for a diagnosis and choose when you want your appointment (which I did) rather than having the NHS pay for it and go on the psychiatry waiting list. Hope that helps!

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Banditofbingofame@reddit

Fyi: this is only for England.

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JoshSmile@reddit

+1 for Psychiatry UK. Got referred in November, had my assessment last week. I’m on the waiting list for titration now which should start around October.

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Open-Sea8388@reddit

Be careful. Watched a panarama about NHS having so much more people coming forward in last couple of years they outsourced them to private clinics and every single patient (100s of them) got told they had ADHD after a 45minute online consultation

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herefromthere@reddit

> You should be aware that documentary was very badly biased and misleading. > > They didn't seek any comment from any ADHD charities or organisations, and the journalist allegedly infiltrated a womens support group fishing for people with a bad story to tell, ignoring the thousands of people who had perfectly sensible diagnoses through private clinics. > > Upwards of 90% of people who present for ADHD assessment through the NHS get diagnosed. Before you jump through hoops and pay out hundreds of your hard-earned, you're going to be fairly certain you have ADHD. > > Statement from ADHD Foundation: > > https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/

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joops23@reddit

According to a new BBC documentary any private consultant will diagnose you

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herefromthere@reddit

You should be aware that documentary was very badly biased and misleading. They didn't seek any comment from any ADHD charities or organisations, and the journalist allegedly infiltrated a womens support group fishing for people with a bad story to tell, ignoring the thousands of people who had perfectly sensible diagnoses through private clinics. Upwards of 90% of people who present for ADHD assessment through the NHS get diagnosed. Before you jump through hoops and pay out hundreds of your hard-earned, you're going to be fairly certain you have ADHD. Statement from ADHD Foundation: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/

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thesnapening@reddit

I was already under the mental health service and told them fairly early on I think I'm autistic and have adhd as I fit alot of the symptoms. They referred me for a assassessment and I got one after about 18 months. Best way without the mental health service would be to write down why you suspect you have adhd and take it to your doctor saying you needed a assessment. If they refuse for whatever reason speak to pals, patient something liaison service.

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herefromthere@reddit

Get a job on Panorama and get four assessments in a month all paid for by the BBC and one assessment on the NHS that's more thorough than any before or since? Seriously, I struggled through the application through my GP, took a few months to get everything together and send off. Then I waited a few months for a letter that said "don't call us, we'll call you, could be two years, don't have any mental health problems in the meantime!" and then about a year later I had a breakdown at work, and fedup, I rage-booked an ADHD assessment with a private clinic, paid two month's wages, leaned heavily on family to help get the cash together and nine months after that I'm at the beginning of medication titration. Good Luck. And Fuck Panorama, cunts just made everything harder.

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sandyflipflop@reddit

Be wary of going private for ADHD assessments: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65534449

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ThatGothGuyUK@reddit

I tried for 20 years (they can't legally say no before you are 45).. Eventually I wrote it all down in a letter, and told them that I need a referral and if it's rejected I will use my "Right to choose", I've been on the waiting list for almost a year but at least I'm on the list now as I spoke to the GP to check. Oh and if you need to use your "Right to choose": https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Yes,some experience but it takes forever to do. Have a relative who is formally diagnosed with it but it was by the Maudsley in London, a tertiary mental health hospital with two-three year waiting lists. But they've just closed their hospital to national referrals. It helped to keep a diary, show how it is impacting day-to-day life and really put GP under pressure. But remember the GP pays for referrals out of his surgery budgets so s/he is not going to do unless they have to.

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NurseEquinox@reddit

I went to two different GP’s armed with a list of why I thought I had it, and the second one did the referral. I was on a waiting list for 4+ years though.

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KillerZoot007@reddit

I went private at first, after 9 months my GP seen how much better I was looking and finally able to do things and was really impressed with my progress. After a long time trying for a shared protocol it finally went through and I got referred to a NHS specialist who prescribed me my meds on the NHS. It took me 15 months in total from private diagnosis to NHS prescription, if it weren’t for my family pushing the doctors so much I wouldn’t have done it. It’s annoying that good health service is a postcode lottery, you and a lot of people will probably have an easier experience but it’s not guaranteed!

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_mister_pink_@reddit

My got a diagnosis but had to go private. We got a letter from the NHS saying they were no longer offering that service with a suggestion of private clinics to visit. Maybe it’s a post code lottery thing.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

What does it mean they don't offer that service? I appreciate the NHS is stressed but straight-up lying is not acceptable

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IntellegentIdiot@reddit

Why do you think they were lying?

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

From the NHS website: The GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment, if necessary.

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_mister_pink_@reddit

Right but if there aren’t any specialists available on the NHS you will need to see a private specialist. I can’t say for sure on your location but that service has been formally ended at my trust and the surrounding trusts as of around 2 years ago.

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IntellegentIdiot@reddit

That doesn't explain why you think they were lying. It doesn't say the NHS will diagnose you

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Loose_Acanthaceae201@reddit

Cheshire closed its waiting list in 2019. So yeah, service not offered here.

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_mister_pink_@reddit

They weren’t lying. The NHS trust in my area no longer offers assessments for adult ADHD. Cut the funding - fewer services. Most mental health treatments and services are threadbare now days.

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Zerocoolx1@reddit

You go to your GP, explain your symptoms, etc and get out on a waiting list.

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NokstellianDemon@reddit

I have a diagnosis and I still can't see anybody for titration. Dogshit services.

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EverybodyShitsNFT@reddit

Sadly you’ll be waiting forever on the NHS. If you can afford it then go through a private psychiatrist (preferably one that specialises in ADHD). If you’re diagnosed then make sure that you also factor in the costs of follow up appointments & any medication that you may be prescribed. Private prescriptions are considerably more expensive than on the NHS & chances are it will take a few months to determine the best course of medication to take. After this your psychiatrist can write to your GP asking them to write your prescriptions on the NHS instead. Depending on where you are in the country you may end up paying upwards of £1k. I know that this isn’t fair, especially for those who cannot afford it, but for many people (myself included) the benefits of being diagnosed & properly medicated far outweigh the financial costs & impact that undiagnosed ADHD can have on your well-being. Good luck & if you’re looking for support then as well as the resources recommended by your doctor, the r/ADHD sub is full of friendly people

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RummazKnowsBest@reddit

GP referred me to Psychiatry UK and within a few months I was diagnosed and a few months later I was trying my meds.

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win_some_lose_most1y@reddit

Have to ever claimed to be a surgeon? Could be a sign

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Remote_Specialist52@reddit

What exactly do you hope to achieve with the diagnosis? Unless it's a hurdle in your life I don't see the point of looking for a diagnosis personally.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Classic comment of a person judging someone's problem without having experienced the same. Please refrain from commenting.

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malewifechad@reddit

if your GP refuses to refer you onto a specialist/assess you, you are within your rights to request an appointment with a different GP. if that's tricky, you can write a letter of complaint to the Practice Manager (Dear Practice Manager - send it to either the standard email for the practice or mail it through their door). it would help ur case if u quoted the NHS article on how to get assessed as an adult, or if there were any unprofessional comments

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welshlondoner@reddit

I was referred for assessment through my GP. I'm 44. My local NHS waiting list is closed so she referred me to psychiatry UK through right to choose.

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Magpie-hearts@reddit

For reals. Me walking into my GP laying it all out like: "I got a history of self harm, suicidal tendencies and addiction, I cannot stop talking to the point it's inappropriate and exhausting, I either think I'm a worthless good for nothing peice of shit or my god complex kicks in and I think I start to believe I'm the new Messiah, I'm so impulsive once I picked up a packet of tablets off the floor and ate them for shits and giggles (it was subutex and nearly killed me) etc etc, Soooo what's up doc how about you send me for some psychiatric help?" GP: it's just anxiety! Take your sertraline and go away.

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Flyawaylittlemonkey@reddit

> history of self harm and suicidal tendencies To be fair this alone would rule you out of being medicated in most instances. It's a contraindication to give ADHD meds to someone who has a history of suicidal depression.

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Magpie-hearts@reddit

Honestly I don't want medicating at all, I want to understand myself so I can work on my issues with clarity. Also I had a therapist who ended sessions with me because he suspected undiagnosed ADHD/autism but wasn't qualified to diagnose me and thus couldn't decide on an appropriate treatment method which was very frustrating.

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Flyawaylittlemonkey@reddit

Diagnosed through the NHS last year, it took about a year start to finish. I know I'm in the minority though. I think having an existing ASD diagnosis helped.

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faerieunderfoot@reddit

Psychiatry UK

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robster9090@reddit

I have , took 10 years of repeated appointments for depression then got referred and waited 12 months for it to be done and tested

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tvthrowaway366@reddit

Your GP needs to refer you to a secondary care service. A GP cannot assess you for ADHD. If your GP refuses to refer you, ask them to explain why, in writing, and refer the matter to your local Patient Advisory Liaison Service (PALS).

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks.

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Actual-Butterfly2350@reddit

Please join r/adhduk you will find lots of information regarding going for a diagnosis there.

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Sasspishus@reddit

Wasn't aware of this sub! Thanks

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JustLiving3467@reddit

I heard it takes years to get a diagnosis. Thats for both private and nhs

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rennalaa@reddit

I went via right to choose - I went to psychiatry UK and did their ADHD tests, amended the letter template they provide and dumped it all on my GP. I told them based on this test and my self analysis, this is the diagnosis I want to pursue. Psychiatry UK is private but I believe the right to choose is through the NHS (as I'm not paying a penny) however, waiting lists are still so long. I got my diagnosis in October, only JUST been asked for more information to be able to start the titration part for meds. If you need any more info, please feel free to message me.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks I really appreciate that. Wait, you said I can download and pre-assess for free on psychiatry.uk and then my GP should just accept the form and give me a referral to be assessed and eventually diagnosed by psychiatry uk? Is this correct?

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rennalaa@reddit

You're welcome. https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/ Take a look here, they have a step by step for you to follow. Essentially, if you score enough points then yes, they should just send it through. Obviously if you don't score high enough, that's enough reason not to! I honestly see no reason why they shouldn't though. If you feel comfortable doing this and the GP doesn't know your family/family history then also add in that a family member (dad, grandad or brother is always best) has it too. Bit naughty but it's hereditary/genetic. Good luck :)

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Nessiliya@reddit

My GP referred me to someone on the mental health team for my area and the doctor that I spoke to completely wrote me off and spoke down to me over the phone - was a phone call appt as I lived in quite a remote area at the time so my town didn't have any specialist teams or anything like that.  I emailed the MP for my area about it and within 2 weeks had an in-person appt with the lead doctor of the team and it took him all of 5 minutes of speaking to me to diagnose me with ADHD. It seriously impacts my life, so if you have it, you'll know - keep pushing to see a specialist OP!

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Katatonic92@reddit

My OH got referred by his GP. He went in with a list of issues, how it was impacting his life, along with those around him, how he could benefit from late diagnosis. Plus confirmation our daughter was diagnosed, it's genetic, so she probably inherited it from him. The waiting list is a mile long though. I think some doctors are quick to dismiss it once you are an adult because they assume education is over, you have a family & job, etc, so it's not worth the diagnosis. Incredibly dismissive, wrong attitude to have.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks

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brimfulofasha4t5@reddit

Your GP cannot assess or diagnose you with ADHD but can refer you to a specialist. This happened with me and I was diagnosed within a matter of months

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Average_User20@reddit

I was diagnosed as a child, was prescribed Ritalin. I, foolishly, stopped taking that when I was about 18. I would like to get back to that as I feel it would be helpful Even having this history and prior diagnosis of ADHD I have been waiting two years so far for another assessment. It's crazy you got diagnosed in a matter of months.

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brimfulofasha4t5@reddit

I’ve been very lucky with most of my NHS experiences, I don’t know if it’s the area where I live or what but the only long waiting list I had was for my surgery last year

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

When was this?

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brimfulofasha4t5@reddit

Last year, diagnosed in august

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks

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alexanderbeswick@reddit

ADHD seems to be the 'in' thing, have you looked at other areas of your life such as stress, diet, upbringing, your immediate environment etc?

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highandflighty@reddit

It's the 'in' thing because more people are aware of it now, it can be debilitating so not something people would choose to have when they know about it properly. Not saying people shouldn't look at those areas of their lives too like you suggest but to reduce it to the 'in' thing is really misunderstanding it.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Well, that's what an assessment would clarify. If i i got one.

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ImaginaryAcadia4474@reddit

Your GP should be referring you if you fit the diagnosis criteria and there is an moderate effect on your relationships/daily life. If that’s the case I’d go back to the GP and ask for a referral again, and if no success there I’d be following their complaints procedure

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks. I find it counterintuitive that to get an *assessment* my gp needs to pre-assess me? I do match most of the criteria listed on the NHS website for example, but my GP turned my request down because "these criteria are very vague" and "everyone of us does match some of them in a different way". Anyway, I guess I'll change GP and try again.

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highandflighty@reddit

GPs are often not trained at all in ADHD. I'm angry on your behalf that your GP said that when referring to criteria on the NHS website, how dense can they be? Please don't give up, ask to see another GP at your surgery and go prepared with as much evidence as you can. Ask for Right to Choose and they should refer you

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ImaginaryAcadia4474@reddit

That’s just that way the system works - GPs (who do the general stuff) make referrals to the specialists. They act as a triage or gateway

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

I appreciate this and I understand this works for different cases, but when it comes to referral it's like saying "I can't assess this myself so in order to get you assessed, I'll assess if you are assess-able"

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Professional-Cry4960@reddit

ADHD doesn't exist. It's simply down to bad parenting, bad schools and them not taking responsibility for their actions https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12096593/PETER-HITCHENS-know-question-loads-trouble-does-ADHD-exist.html

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DefiantStation2363@reddit

And where did you get your medical degree? The "Daily Hate" is not a proper source.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

And also vaccines kill people, right?

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

Total ignorance. I won't waste my time by saying more.

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PaddysThong@reddit

Ah yes, the best source materiel. The Daily Mail and Peter Hitchens. “Bit by bit, I found scraps of evidence that the statement had really been made.” Says everything I need to know. If it’s so hard to find pieces of someone saying it doesn’t exist then why is that a better argument than all the people that openly say that it does?

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CSPVI@reddit

My GP was useless so I went private. I used Clinical Partners and it took about 3 weeks for my initial appointment and then we booked a monthly follow-up. It cost approx £700 for the diagnosis appointment which included a lot of preassessment forms and then I had to have a few tests (blood, ECG etc) before I could get medication. Each month I had a follow-up to tweek until the dose was right, then my private psychiatrist wrote to my NHS GP with his diagnosis and treatment I'd been following, and my NHS GP now prescribes for me, so I don't have to pay for a private prescription. Once a year I have a checkup with my private psychiatrist; it's called a Shared Care Agreement. I didn't follow the right to choose route as my old GP was very very unhelpful. I regret it now I've changed to a good GP as it would have saved me money, but been much slower.

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Average_User20@reddit

Yeah pay for a private assessment

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Ok_Shopping_3341@reddit

It was a long process! But I was initially told by my GP to self refer to the Talking Helps service for CBT for another issue and the therapist I spoke to there referred me for ADHD assessment. I was on the waiting list for roughly two years before I was finally assessed.

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toribean19@reddit

the lovely folks over at r/ADHDUK have lots of resources to help you with this.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks!

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devildance3@reddit

My kids have diagnosed me - “dad, you’re quick to anger, go off on tangents, wildly obsessive and are very confusing to listen too sometimes. Are you sure you’re not ADHD?” It would explain a lot

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Twolef@reddit

I asked my GP to refer me and he refused because he said I had depression and anxiety. So, I made up a story about a family member being diagnosed, so he reluctantly referred me. I’m pretty sure it was just a sham because I was interviewed for about 20 minutes by a woman with a clipboard who didn’t identify who she was. She then told me that I couldn’t have it because I was “too laid back”. I went back to the doctor and insisted that she was wrong and he put me in for an assessment but warned it would take 2 or 3 years. In the meantime, I lost my job because my symptoms had got so bad and used the money to pay for a private assessment. I was diagnosed with primarily inattentive ADHD after an hour and things have only got better since. Stick at it. We get good at masking and people on the outside don’t see the struggles we have. If you know you have it, you have to fight for yourself. It’s difficult for us to stick to long term goals, but you’ll be glad you did.

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ddmf@reddit

You could complete the ASRS and if it shows a possibility of ADHD you could take that to your GP. Some areas just don't have an adult adhd service though, which is ok in England as you can request care but a nightmare in Scotland as you're stuck unless you move to an area that does.

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Dogteethhalp@reddit

I got assessed through the NHS but it took roughly 3 years. You can contact psychiatry uk directly and ask them. They tend to be quicker than others.

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Redpepper40@reddit

You can pay privately (which costs a fortune) or your GP can book you in which takes forever due to backlog (I've currently been waiting 14 months). Don't think there are any other options

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freneticallyabundant@reddit

I was referred 16 months ago and still waiting for an appointment. Would recommend going private if you can afford it. They are incredibly backed up right now.

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Simowl@reddit

I went through Psychiatry UK via Right to Choose on NHS. GP can refer you, think the site has a form for them to fill in. Not sure what current waits are but generally much quicker than any of the standard NHS clinics. I got my diagnosis maybe 18 months back, working on getting the right meds and dose for me. Good luck with it!

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Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

We are in Scotland. When our son was a young adult we paid for a private assessment for him. He had wrongly been assessed in childhood as not having ADHD. When he left home to go to uni he couldn't manage life. The Psychiatrist who did the assessment is an NHS psychiatrist who also does work through a private clinic because at that time at least in that area there was no NHS money for adult assessment. This Psychiatrist wrote the nhs ADHD guidelines for Scotland. This is all about 7 years ago. After about 9 months on a stimulant our son decided to stop taking them and managed life OK without. Recently he decided he wants to try medication again and has got an appointment at a relevant service after a short wait. He doesn't need the whole assessment again. The BBC ran a story about private clinics doing assessments in a shoddy fashion, cutting corners and using people who were not psychiatrists to do them. In some areas the NHS is paying for private assessments. Seems to be a postcode lottery. So the easy way might be through a private clinic but it's possible the assessment wouldn't be done to the highest standard. Best wishes.

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BanditSurvivalist@reddit

So I (27 M Scotland) was diagnosed about 4 months ago. As far as I am aware it can be drastically different depending on your area. I can only speak from my own experience here in central Scotland. I went to my GP with concerns about ADHD following a prompt from a family member and doing some research. This was around October 2020. I was given the assessment, handed it in within a week and then had to wait 6 months to be told the assessment was invalid as I was using cannabis at the time. Following that I done the assessment again when sober and waited another 9 months to then be told I scored very highly and would need to come in and speak with a psychiatrist. This would have been around march 22. Then I sat on a waiting list until the beginning of February 23 where I went in for a meeting. Was told I almost certainly have ADHD but I needed to provide proof that what I was experiencing was historical so I brought my mum to a follow up appointment who confirmed everything and gave childhood examples etc. Got my formal diagnosis that day and began medication. On the support groups I'm in I have heard everything from a few months to 5+ years for that whole scenario so it really is a guessing game. I would suggest seeking answers in a more local support group if you can find one.  Best of luck with your Journey and please feel free to get in touch if you ever want to talk as there really isn't a great deal of support out there.

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Amsterdumb1@reddit

Went through my GP last year, was given paperwork to fill out and then about 3 months later I received a phonecall from a psychiatrist telling me I had PTSD, a personality disorder and autism without ever having met me. He put me on anti depressants even though he told me on the phone that I showed no symptoms of depression. All they did was send me to sleep and I fell even further behind in my uni work. Personally, I thought he was wrong as I had next to zero symptoms of any of those but nearly all female ADHD traits. Went private and was seen within 6 months, they had my family involved and my husband as well as seeing them face to face for all appointments. Diagnosed in Jan but without medication as I'm pregnant. Not bashing the NHS but they seriously got it wrong with me. My advice would be get more than one opinion no matter what route you go down.

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Bungadin@reddit

Pay for private or wait for NHS service, not much else you can do unfortunately.

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Capybarasgonewild@reddit

You can do a self-assessment through psychiatry uk and the results of that can be corroborated by your GP to refer to a consultation with a specialist.

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gobuddy77@reddit

There was a Panorama on the TV yesterday about this and there's a BBC podcast. If you want a positive diagnosis then there are companies that will do it. You can do it via the NHS but it can take time. If you want a quicker genuine assessment then you can also go privately - just choose somewhere ethical!

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AussieHxC@reddit

https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2023/05/15/response-to-bbc-panorama-private-adhd-clinics-exposed/

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Actual-Butterfly2350@reddit

There is a wealth of info on r/adhduk regarding all of this- right to choose diagnosis, providers etc. Join there!

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0xSnib@reddit

My GP referred me about 4 months ago after a couple of appointments so it’s very much possible. They referred me to PsychiatryUK but there is a 1-2 year wait list.

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Front_Assumption_625@reddit

Shortest, easiest way to get a diagnosis is to get private medical insurance. Then request a diagnosis under mental health. Maybe you feel anxious or stressed or something. There's usually symptoms of something like that alongside ADHD. Obviously check the small print before getting a policy to check their mental health actually covers ADHD. Can take as little as 2 weeks from GP referral to diagnosis from an NHS accredited specialist. NHS accredited helps if you want to use the diagnostic report for anything other than just confirming for yourself.

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CCGamesSteve@reddit

Nope. So far I've been said to have ADHD, high functioning autism and severe anxious personality disorder. It's just not taken seriously for adults.

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PaddysThong@reddit

Check out Psychiatry UK if you haven’t already. They work with the NHS but have a substantially smaller waiting list

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Jammiedodger71195@reddit

My husbands best mate got diagnosed privately, it cost a few hundred pounds but the processed moved along significantly faster than the NHS referral process. Google ADHD360

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks and happy cake day :)

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LordAxalon110@reddit

My sister had to pay for private assessment because of the several year waiting list, wasn't cheap either.

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Prestigious-Act-4741@reddit

An ADHD diagnosis can be hugely beneficial as an adult. It can help you understand yourself better, because part of the assessment also identifies strengths and weaknesses and it can also provide accesses to services. https://adhduk.co.uk/diagnosis-pathways/

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks

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Flo_Dunky@reddit

You should be able to get an assessment referral from your GP. If you can't, speak with your local Health Authority.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Thanks. Health Authority as...? Please forgive my ignorance.

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Flo_Dunky@reddit

NHS England, NHS Wales, NHS Scotland etc.. In the first instance, if you feel your GP is not providing the correct service you make a complaint to the Practice Manager at the Surgery. Then you take it to the Primary Care Commissioning group. If you need to you can get you local MP involved. Not your local councillors as they have no influence in this area.

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Thestolenone@reddit

This week I went to see my GP about my blood pressure, it is an ongoing thing and is proving hard to control so I see him regularly. He asked me about my antidepressant and how I'm getting on with it and I said not at all. He started to talk about upping the dose or trying something else so I said I don't just want something else random as I wanted to be assessed for ASD. He got confused at first and thought I meant ADHD but I said no, ASD. And to my utter surprise he printed off the pre referral forms for me and told me to bring them back next time I see him. It looks like a series of mostly tick answers and some boxes to fill, about four sheets. He said make sure I answer truthfully and off I trotted. I'm a 57 year old woman, and wasn't fobbed off in the slightest. It can't hurt to ask.

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Professional-Ear-830@reddit

Op watched too many TikToks.

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Tythan@reddit (OP)

Weird because I don't use tiktok

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