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ADD and ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Medical Diagnosis in the UK
Despite ADD being genetically inherited there is, as yet, no blood test for ADD. If you wish to be diagnosed and live in the UK then you need to prepare yourself for a potentially tough, sometimes daunting journey. Diagnosis in the UK is performed exclusively by a qualified Adult ADHD Specialist but you have to first negotiate GPs, PCTs, ignorance and unfortunately sometimes prejudice, to get to one and even then they may know next to nothing about ADD. UK diagnosis is based on the NICE Guidelines which were published in September 2008. Prior to then Adult ADD was not recognised by the NHS!
How to get diagnosed
The website AADD.org.uk, Adult ADD - UK, has some excellent advice on seeking diagnosis in the UK. Diagnosis will require patience and resilience and may cost you if you go privately, but it is the start of a new happier journey in life and for most worth the effort.
Private Diagnosis
The private route is quickest and least painful. There are many independent pschyiatrists who offer diagnosis and a few clinics. The SimplyWellbeing ADHD Centre has recently been established near London Bridge offering independent, consultative diagnosis, medication, titration and psychiatric services from a very experienced expert team of ADHD specialists.
NHS Diagnosis
To get a UK NHS diagnosis, AADD recommends:
- Make a 10 minute appointment with your GP and simply say you want a referral to an adult ADHD specialist for an assessment.
- Take along the List of Symptoms, with the relevant ones circled. If you wish, write under each symptom, a description of how it has affected your life
- Take a copy of the NICE Guidelines
- Tell your GP that you will ring in one week's time to find out how the referral is going
The AADD also maintains a List of Adult ADHD Specialists and Clinics. If your area is not on the list, ask your GP for an out-of-area referral.
If your GP refuses to write a referral to an adult ADHD specialist then make an appointment to see a different GP, again with the NICE Guidelines and your symptom list. GP's are not qualified to assess for ADHD, all they need to see from you is a valid reason for them to request a referral to an adult ADHD specialist and a list of the symptoms should do that. If they refuse to make a referral, then the GP is in effect assessing you as not having ADHD, only a trained and qualified adult ADHD specialist can do this, not a GP.
Thanks to AADD for this information.
Understanding, Accepting and Embracing your ADD
The benefits of being diagnosed ADD however can be amazing. Some peoples entire lives are transformed by their ADD medication. In my view equally importantly is that once you know you are ADD then you can start to move forward and align your life with who you are. Knowing you are ADD/ADHD starts you on an enlightening journey of Understanding, Accepting and Embracing your ADD and with this wisdom on to wellbeing.