Ask HN: How's the situation with treating ADHD in UK

I'm an adult and, like you, very likely to have it. Struggling to get tested. My GP says the services are too full. I've been advised by an ADHD charity that I can approach a private clinic [1] and then bill it to my GP, but my GP has said categorically that I can't do that. I've been told she's wrong. But still - all of this faff isn't ideal for an ADHDer so I'm struggling to push ahead with the diagnosis that I would really find helpful in my life.

I would advise printing out and going through the ADHD screener [2], taking it to your GP, and be prepared for them to not take it seriously so push back and insist. Good luck, friend!

[1] Specifically https://www.adhd-360.com

[2] https://adhduk.co.uk/adult-adhd-screening-survey/

Go to your GP, try to get a referral, wait 6-18 months to see a psychiatrist, then get prescribed ritalin or vyvanse, then later on if you don't like those you get strattera, and if you still don't like that, you get dexedrine, the closest thing to adderall without being adderall.

It was a catch-22 getting through the system to get ADHD meds. Use all your tools you have developed to fight the urge to ignore it if the cognitive load gets too much. For myself I have responded really good to medication.

For sure I have considered my ADHD a double edged sword. Medication has not killed the curiosity I attribute to ADHD, but lowers the mental barriers on getting routine tasks done.

I am a retired psychotherapist

There is no research that says medication works for ADHD. medication is developed for big Pharma not the individual. The medication is awful. I have seen the disasterous and debilitating effects on children. Who, in my opinion do not need a tranquiliser at 10 years old. They need better parenting.

In the early 1990's ADHD was quite rare. Amazingly as soon as one child was diagnsed with ADHD suddenly there was an increase in Parents taking their children to the GP for diagnosis. It seems that the diagnosis was spread by parents standing outside the school gates with nothing better to do.

Children are inherently naughty, messy. dishevelled, argumentative, and generally annying but this does not mean they need a medicated cosh to keep then under parental control.

The symptoms of ADHD are experienced by 100% of the human population.

Go to a local therapeutic service and get some therapy to address each and every symptom that you suffer with. There are loads of therapeutic services that provide counselling and psychotherapy and costs are set on a sliding scale depending on your income. usually beteen £5-00 - £25.00 so is affordable even for someone on Universal credit.

Contact your local mental health team or your GP and ask for counselling ans psychotherpay services in the area.

look after yourself. You are wonderful exactly as you are.

I assume you're looking for a diagnosis as an adult?

A diagnosis from a private clinic is approx. £400 (that's what I paid anyway).

You fill out a screening test in advance of a meeting with a psychiatrist.

If the psychiatrist diagnoses you with ADHD, they can initiate medication (as long as you're suitable) and once they've arrived at the correct dose for you, they will usually hand the prescribing over to your GP.

Hope this helps...