ADHD Diagnosis Journey – Important Info for Anyone Asking

Apr 2

5 min read

Embracing life in full colour, just like my ADHD journey - bright, bold, and full of unexpected twists!

Hey everyone! So, I’ve had a ton of messages asking about how I got my ADHD diagnosis, and honestly, I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to reply to all of you individually. I really want to help, so I thought I’d put everything in one place in a post that’s easy to find. I know a lot of you are hoping for a “cheap and easy” solution, but here’s the reality of it all - and it's not the quick fix we all wish for.

Let’s get down to it: I went private for my diagnosis because the NHS waiting list is ridiculous - up to 8 years long in some areas! I ended up paying around £2,000 (why do you think I have so many jobs haha) for my private diagnosis through ADHD 360. Yes, it was a lot, but when ADHD is messing with your life so much, it can feel like there’s no other choice.

Then, on top of that, I pay about £140 a month for my prescription, which would only be £15/month on the NHS. Big difference, right? So yes, ADHD diagnoses and treatment aren’t just easy to get; they’re expensive too. And it really gets on my nerves when people act like ADHD is being “diagnosed left and right” these days - because for a lot of people, it's not that simple. We’re jumping through hoops, paying out of pocket, and still waiting forever.

I’ve had so many messages asking for cheaper options, but honestly, I don’t have a magic wand for that. What I can do, though, is share what I’ve learned from my own journey in case it helps someone else!

Here’s What I’ve Learned:

The Right to Choose (RTC) – If you're in the UK, you can go through the RTC scheme to get an ADHD diagnosis, but even that has its own set of challenges. In my area (Littleborough), the waiting list for RTC providers is way shorter than the NHS wait, but it's still not quick. I think it's down to about 12 months now (so, not that bad!). However, our GPs have their own form for RTC referrals, which makes it even more complicated. It’s like jumping through extra hoops for no reason!
Dr J & Colleagues – Here’s the good bit: I found out about Dr J & Colleagues through a tip from someone, and they are the only ones in my area who will actually help fill out the RTC form for you. Sounds simple, right? WRONG. At first, no one wanted to help me with the form. I ended up writing a really desperate begging email asking for help because I felt like I was hitting my head against a brick wall and eventually, I got a response. It was a bit to the point (hello, RSD - Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria!), but they said they'd help - they now just needed an editable version of the form. The GP's won't help with that so you'll need to do this yourself and change their PDF into an editable word document. It is another hurdle which is huge if you have ADHD right? but you got this...
What You Need to Do Now:
- Step 1: Tell your doctor you want to go through the RTC process and you'd like to choose Dr J & Colleagues.
- Step 2: Your GP should either refer you to them or give you the RTC info. Important: In Littleborough, the GPs won’t fill out the referral form unless you choose a provider who will fill out their form. The only place I found that will do this is Dr J & Colleagues. So, be ready to do some back-and-forth between your GP and Dr J’s team. It might take a little persistence, but they’ll eventually get it done!
- Step 3: Dr J & Colleagues’ website: www.drsj.co.uk. They have two forms you can download and fill out yourself. Just bring them to your GP, and they’ll send them on to Dr J & Co.
- Step 4: Wait. And wait. And wait some more… 🍿

I’m personally still waiting for a response from Dr J & Colleagues (this process has taken months!), but the hope is, once you’ve jumped through all the hoops, things should move forward.

Quick note to anyone who’s messaged me: I get so many inboxes about this! Please don’t be offended if I’ve sent you to this post - it’s just the easiest way for me to help everyone at once. I really want to help, but as anyone with ADHD knows, sometimes I read messages in my head, leave them as "unread," and then forget... because, well, ADHD brain 🤦‍♀️! I promise I’m not ignoring you on purpose!

Important Update About Going Through the Right to Choose (RTC) After a Private Diagnosis

Just a heads-up- if you paid privately for your ADHD diagnosis (like I did with ADHD 360), the process of switching to shared care or the Right to Choose (RTC) pathway can get tricky. My GP wouldn't accept the shared care referral for medication management through ADHD 360, even though other GP’s would. This is something I didn’t know at first, but it's important to mention.

According to Dr J & Colleagues' FAQs, if you were diagnosed privately with them you can't use the RTC pathway for medication titration with them. You would need to continue your treatment privately. However, if you’ve been diagnosed by another provider you can still be referred via the RTC scheme to Dr J & Colleagues. That said, you will need an initial ADHD assessment with them first, before you can move forward with medication management. It’s a bit of a maze, but the key takeaway is to read their FAQs before making any decisions! It’s all a bit complicated, but knowing the process will save you time and confusion.

Good luck to anyone going through this. I hope my journey helps save you some time (and money) so you don’t have to go through all the same struggles.

P.S. For anyone who’s not familiar because I didn't have a clue about all of this:

RSD = Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (the emotional rollercoaster you feel when you’re rejected, criticized, or perceive social exclusion - basically, it feels like a punch to the gut even if it's unintentional).
RTC = Right to Choose (a referral system that allows you to bypass long NHS waiting lists by choosing your provider from a list of approved services).
Titration = The process of adjusting the dose of ADHD medication to find the right amount that works best for you while minimising side effects.