How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
The NHS in England is struggling to provide ADHD assessment and treatment because of a lack of resources. This has led to long waiting times for patients to get their diagnosis and treatment.
However, there are ways to receive the help you need without waiting around. You can visit an individual psychiatrist for a specialist review.
1. Visit a psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is the simplest method of obtaining ADHD medication in the UK. If you believe your symptoms may be ADHD related, the psychiatrist can help you get a better understanding of them, arrive at a diagnosis (if relevant), and put you on a treatment program to manage the symptoms. This service is free for those with NHS funding, and only requires a standard prescription charge if applicable.
It is recommended that you first see your doctor and explain to them the symptoms you're experiencing. Take note of their comments and be honest to their suggestions. They might suggest that your symptoms are related to other issues, or they don't believe that you have ADHD at all.
If they believe you have ADHD, your GP will recommend you to an adult and child mental health service (CaMHS) or a Community Mental Health Service (CMHT) dependent on your age. This can be a long wait.
You can request your GP to utilize the NHS Right to Choose option to shorten your waiting time. On the Psychiatry UK website you can find more information about this, however in general the event that your GP accepts that you should be referred to a service who performs NHS assessments in your locality, you have the legal right to select.
If you're willing spend some money and ask an online provider to assess you for ADHD by video conference. This is a cost-effective and convenient solution for rural people.
In the UK there are a variety of different types of ADHD medications available. These include stimulants such as amphetamine, newer amphetamine tablets like lisdexamfetamine, and non-stimulant alternatives such as Atomoxetine. These medications increase noradrenaline levels within the brain. Noradrenaline is a chemical messenger that transmits information. add adhd medications aid in reducing impulses and improve focus.
Due to supply problems with ADHD medication in the past year, some patients were told by their GPs not to begin new treatments until stock levels were increasing. This led to a lengthy waiting list, and some patients were advised to discontinue their medication based on a expert's recommendation which is based on product availability.
2. Ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child is suffering from ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and inquire about the symptoms you've been experiencing. They should then request you to fill out an assessment tool, also known as an ASRS form, and then refer you for evaluation.
For some people who are suffering from ADHD, it can be a long time to get an NHS referral for an ADHD assessment. There are a number of reasons. The NHS is a massive organisation and there are often delays because of demand and bureaucracy. The ability to select the mental health provider in England could speed up the process.
It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD in some instances because of preconceived notions of the way someone with ADHD should appear. This can be especially difficult if you're a woman or a person of color, or non-native English language speaker. Although these prejudices are becoming more widely known, they can still prevent people from receiving the help they require.
One of the best ways to act when you're worried that you or your child may have ADHD is to reach out to an individual psychiatrist and make an appointment. This can be quicker than waiting for an NHS appointment, and you'll be able to find someone who has experience working with ADHD.
The psychiatrist will determine if you have ADHD and develop a treatment program. This could include a combination of medication and talk therapy. The drugs for ADHD are stimulants that boost dopamine levels in the brain, improve concentration and focus and reduce the impulsivity. They are a controlled drug because they can be addictive. The doctor who prescribes these medications must monitor them carefully.
Some people do not want to take meds and instead opt for talk therapy. You don't have to take medication and no psychiatrist will ever pressure you to. For adults, a psychiatrist will generally recommend starting with talk therapy before deciding on meds, as this can alter any negative coping mechanisms and behaviors that have developed.
3. Talk to Your GP
If you want to receive medication through the NHS, your first step should be to talk to your GP. They must take your symptoms serious and ask you to explain what reasons you think you be suffering from ADHD. Then they will have to refer you to an assessment. This can be a lengthy process because waiting lists for local services can be long.
If your GP feels that you might have ADHD, they will give you a document for what's known as a shared-care agreement. This agreement permits your psychiatrist to write your prescriptions and pass them to your GP who can then track your medication frequently.
The GP might also send a note to your local ADHD service stating that they believe you might be suffering from ADHD and it would be worth requesting an evaluation. Your details and a summary of your previous experiences, including previous treatments are required.
This information will assist the ADHD specialist evaluate your needs quickly. They will then determine if you are suitable for treatment and if so, can schedule an appointment with an individual from the clinical team. The appointment must be scheduled within two weeks following your initial psychiatric assessment.
Many people with ADHD prefer to be privately treated and diagnosed with medication. After a private psychiatric assessment, they will be given a diagnosis by the doctor, along with an outline of their treatment plan. The patient will attend a series follow-up appointments at first, before progressing to bi-weekly and monthly appointments with the psychiatrist. This will ensure that their medication is working properly and is optimised.
After they've established that their medication is working well, most people with ADHD will be sent back to their primary care physician. The doctor can prescribe medication to the patient, just as he would with any other NHS prescription. They will have an official copy from their psychiatrist, and know that the medication is in accordance with NICE guidelines.
This is a good option for those who have not had a lot of success in trying to be on the NHS waiting list, or who do not have the patience to wait for an assessment. It is also an excellent option for parents of children with symptoms of ADHD. It is important to remember that ADHD is a genuine medical condition and not just an excuse for poor behavior.
4. Request a Referral Letter through an Psychiatrist
It is essential for those who are seeking ADHD medication to be aware that only psychiatric physicians are able to diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication. This is why it's a good idea to seek an appointment with your GP to ensure that you can be properly assessed.
When you go to see your psychiatrist, it's beneficial to bring the list of your symptoms along with any medications you're taking (even when they're not connected to ADHD). This information can aid your psychiatric professional in determining what the most effective treatment options may be for you. It is also important to discuss your family history with your doctor as genetic predispositions may cause ADHD more likely.
Your psychiatrist will be able to listen to your concerns and will ask questions. They might also offer you the opportunity to complete a questionnaire such as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder assessment or Patient Health Questionnaire, which can be used to evaluate depression and anxiety in addition to ADHD. This is important because many of these symptoms can be incorrectly diagnosed and treated with antidepressants.
After your psychiatric evaluation is completed, you will be given an appropriate prescription for medication or medication. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD diagnosis is a complicated process. Your psychiatrist will need time to determine the most effective treatment for you. During this time, you will need to be patient and follow the instructions given by your psychiatrist regarding dosage and monitoring of the side effects.
While you're there you must also make sure that your doctor is aware of any other medical issues that you might have since many people suffering from ADHD have co-existing disorders such as anxiety and depression. The right combination can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve the quality of your life.
We can connect you with some of the best UK psychiatrists with at least 20 years of experience. They are well-versed in the different types of ADHD and have a thorough understanding of other conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD.