ADHD/Autism diagnosis process

[Nearlyamumoftwo]

Hi all,

For a number of reasons I won't bore you with, I highly suspect I have ADHD, perhaps autism. I'd like to start the process of getting this diagnosed but understand doing this through the NHS takes years. Gratefully, I have the means to do this process privately, but I understand there can be issues between the public sector not recognising a diagnosis from the private sector. I'd be really interested to know of other people's experiences through getting a private diagnosis. Ultimately I would like access to help (one example being medication) and will want to get this through the NHS, but I understand that comes with issues (not just resource issues, but an issue with the NHS recognising the diagnosis in the first place - in which case is there any point in getting a private diagnosis? Except for the fact that getting one will be very helpful.

if anyone is willing to share their experiences of getting a diagnosis privately but ultimately dealing with the NHS afterwards, I'll be very grateful.

Thanks

Bump

Bumping again, as I'm also interested in this quandry.

As far as I'm aware NHS are not keen on prescribing ADHD meds if you have a private diagnosis. I would chat to the GP about it before committing. All my assessments were done privately but I have no interest in medication so it hasn't been an issue. The one thing they have offered, several times over, is medication for anxiety.

Speak to your GP and ask if they will do shared care following titration.

I've recently been to the GP and although it did take a couple of times, ending in me rather embarrassingly crying I have been referred.

As long as the private diagnosis meets National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines there is no reason for the NHS to discount the private diagnosis.