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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you are waiting a long time you can ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, you can contact your insurer to find out. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out a different one. It is important to be comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to use your right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP, especially in the event that you plan to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement that a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. adhd diagnosis uk adults can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to note that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview ahead of time and have a family member present for assistance. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for making this request on their website, which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can save you money over time. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. If you are a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.