A claimant undergoing a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) tribunal has reported upsetting experiences after the judge questioned the legitimacy of their ADHD diagnosis. The individual received their diagnosis from Psychiatry UK, accessed through the NHS ‘Right to Choose’ programme, which enables patients to select an NHS-funded provider for faster assessment and treatment, with GP approval.
During the tribunal, while the medical expert and disability specialist conducted their questioning, the judge focused on the absence of evidence from the claimant’s GP and NHS records. The claimant explained that they had chosen the ‘Right to Choose’ pathway specifically to avoid lengthy NHS waiting lists, but the judge persisted in questioning the authenticity of the diagnosis.
The claimant recounted on Reddit: “I asked if he was suggesting I didn’t actually have ADHD, and he said yes.” The judge further questioned whether some behaviors were just the claimant’s personality rather than symptoms of ADHD, leaving the claimant frustrated and feeling discriminated against.
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Psychiatry UK is an official NHS-approved service, and diagnoses obtained through this route should be fully accepted in such proceedings. The claimant has yet to receive the tribunal’s decision and is seeking advice on how to proceed if the outcome is unfavorable.
Reddit users offered guidance, advising the claimant to request written reasons and audio recordings of the hearing if the decision is negative. They recommended considering an appeal to the Upper Tribunal on the grounds of legal errors, such as basing judgment on inappropriate factors, and seeking specialist benefits advice.
Others emphasized that Psychiatry UK is part of the NHS under the ‘Right to Choose’ initiative and questioned the judge’s lack of health expertise. Many expressed sympathy, citing prolonged NHS waiting times for ADHD assessments and supporting the private route as a valid option.
The claimants’ experience highlights challenges faced by individuals seeking recognition of neurodiverse conditions within bureaucratic systems and underscores the importance of respecting medically approved diagnoses.