Is it possible to get ADHD Diagnosis & start Meds Privately without your GP knowing?

[ADHDHelp]

It's Friday night and I am not going to be able to speak to any clinics over the weekend to ask, but does anyone know if this is possible?

I have my own very valid reasons why I can't have an ADHD diagnosis on my NHS health record at this time, but hopefully I can within a year or so.

As much as I hate to have to stump up for private diagnosis and meds during that time, my (presumed) ADD/ADHD is starting to impact my career (when I say starting to, I mean it always has!)
But now I am potentially getting a huge opportunity at work which will have such a positive impact on my future, and I wish I could get the meds which could help me make the most of this opportunity which has presented itself to me.

Obviously I can continue to stumble along, and not reach my potential, as I always have, but the older I get, the more that is taking its toll on me.

I'm pretty sure I have ADD/ADHD, it would explain (mostly!) everything I have questioned about how I behave and have behaved in my life. Other well-placed people in my life have suggested it to me, I had no idea what ADHD really was until then when I began to research it, well, until I got bored :-)

I just can't have it on my GP's records at this time, in the future yes, but not now.

If that's not possible then I have to accept that I can't get a private diagnosis and medication prescribed at this time. (Please don't fixate on this point...I promise you all that this is how it has to be).

I'm struggling to understand why you can't have a mention of adhd on your medical history. Who will be checking??

Anyway, back to your original question - yes of course it's possible to get a private diagnosis and keep it from your doctor. I have had my diagnosis privately and have been dealing with them myself for the past 4 months since my diagnosis. There has never been any contact or referral with my GP. It's the best thing I have done for myself. Has cost me so far including meds about £1000, but I got diagnosed and my meds sorted within 3 months of requesting an appointment. Now I am looking to be turned over to my GP so that they can prescribe my meds on the NHS.

So to answer your question yes!

I'm interested that @SparklyMistleToes thinks this is possible as I was going to say the opposite! Will your prescribing doctor be happy not to notify your GP? I would have thought the issue would be that your GP will have responsibility for overseeing your other treatment / medication and needs to know about the ADHD meds to ensure they have the full picture.

Are you having any other treatment through the NHS? If not, you could talk to your private psychiatrist about not informing your GP and see what they say.

Good luck to you though - the meds are life changing!

I don't think it's possible, I know it's possible. I'm currently in this situation now. Most patients choose to go with a shared care agreement so want to be turned over to the NHS. In order to do this I need to pay for my private psych to write a referral report and I have not done this yet.

Thanks @SparklyMistleToes, I was hoping that was the case.

I can see how they can diagnose you without informing GPs - but I couldn't see how they can prescribe meds without seeing your GP records (I have no issue with this) and informing your GP?

Although to be fair I think I have bought UTI antibiotics via an online pharmacist and I think there was a box to tick if I want the GP informed?

I'm only interested in getting a diagnosis so I can try the meds and see if they help with my working memory/executive function to enable me to progress at work. Everything else in my life is fine and under control.

I'm on topical HRT (which I originally got privately too because I didn't trust the NHS to give it to me as my symptoms were subtle, and sometimes I do just throw money at the problem to save myself the agro - but actually transferring back to my GP went well, partly because I had got my head around the different options with the private Dr)

Sorry, too much info!

But now I am potentially getting a huge opportunity at work which will have such a positive impact on my future, and I wish I could get the meds which could help me make the most of this opportunity which has presented itself to me.

Sorry to throw cold water on your belief that medication will solve your problems. Have you considered that medication doesn't work for everyone? I have a diagnosis for autism and ADHD. I have tried a few different medications for ADHD and none have been suitable.

Also, you've put a lot of emphasis on getting your hands on medication that could help you, but you might not even be diagnosed.

ADHD medication isn't the 'be all and end all'.

@SparklyMistleToes Sorry if my post came across as doubting you - I chose my words poorly. I was actually interested as I wondered how it would work if you are taking other meds

Hope you are doing well on your journey

I know.

But I'm a born optimist and even if the meds don't work for me I'll manage like I have my whole life.

Agreed I haven't had a formal diagnosis, as per my post. I have strong reasons for believing I do.

Private or NHS diagnosis, a diagnosis is a diagnosis so surely being on your NHS record is irrelevant? Do you work for the GP you are seen at and think they will discriminate against you (because that's illegal) or feel you will be judged?

Is it a job you aren't able to take stimulants or are drug tested? Because you will still have to declare if this happens?

Sorry I'm just trying to understand the thought process. My medication's private cost me over £100 a go while they titrated them. Being on the NHS now is a god send and I no longer need to pay for my reviews at £300 a go. It's such an expensive way to do things.

Hi there - for those PPs that have been able to determine the timing of sharing a their diagnosis with their GP, please can I ask who you used?

I'm guessing the reason you don't want it on your GP record is because you have children and you're worried a diagnosis might question your ability to keep them.
The private companies still ask if you have children, take details and have a duty to follow safeguarding procedures.
I am waiting until youngest is 18 for this reason as I've done fine bringing 3 up to adulthood and I'm not risking losing the last one in her teens. I've managed this long off anyone's radar.

Gosh - no, that's a new angle to worry about! Is that actually a thing? No, more that whilst I face some distinct challenges I also have plenty strengths. I want to have self knowledge rather than be labelled as being in a deficit state, or for info to have a life of it's own, beyond choices I make about sharing aspects of self. But perhaps that is inevitably what diagnosis is/involves???

Wow, that's pretty paranoid.
Lots of parents have disabilities and are able to raise their children without abusing or neglecting them.
Why would an ADHD diagnosis concern the authorities?