Getting Adult ADHD Diagnosis in UK

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How do I go about get diagnosed for Adult ADHD in UK? I was diagnosed recently with AS but have never been tested for ADHD.

Thanks

Nearly impossible.

First you need to go to your GP. They will tell you you are probably depressed or that your symptoms are caused by another issue (e.g. AS since you have the diganosis).

Then you need to be assessed by a local psych service. They are not qualified to assess you but if you get lucky you'll get an assessment that doesn't 'rule out' ADHD.

Then you need to go back to your GP armed with information about how the next step could go. They may or may not give your a referral for ADHD diagnosis. It will be along wait.

Or at the last step (and only at the last step) you can ask for a private referral. It's very expensive (thousands of ££) but you'd only have to wait a couple of months at most.

Also you need to find a forum like this for ADHD in the UK and they can advise you when you reach inevitable hurdles. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as I was being diagnosed with Asperger's.

It just happened to be noticed during the lengthy diagnosis process.

I didn't realise that I had ADHD until then. Of course it made perfect sense once it was revealed to me.

I was 43 at the time.

In the UK.

I feel I should have been diagnosed for ADHD as well.

I've been reading about getting private diagnosis. You can ask the GP to accept "shared care" with the private professional so this would mean I could get medication prescribed by him. This could save me loads on medication and possibly follow up appointments.

I've recently been moved to a local mental health team that seems to cater for anyone with mental health team but more suited to people with learning difficulties or things like substance abuse and anorexia. I was told by them that I was unwell enough to receive CBT therapy (didn't ask why) and have to see a support worker. Maybe once I recieve an AHDH diagnosis and start on stimulant meds I will be well enough to benefit from CBT.

I can't see how I'm going to get a positive diagnosis as according to my mam I never had ADHD symptoms as a kid. Destined to be a f*****g goldfish for life.

I'm quite fortunate in the sense that my psychiatrist (who I see 3 times a year) is an ADHD specialist.

If you feel so strongly about getting a diagnosis you really should insist on it with your doctor and what ever health care people you see.

I don't think it's easy to get a diagnosis as an adult. And it's not easy to get medicated for it.

I know someone who was diagnosed with ADHD. He's 21. On the NHS. Not sure exactly how it happened, but it did.

(He did also have it suspected under 18, though - so maybe this helped?)