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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for an extended period, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If uk diagnosis adhd are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life today. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in various areas of your life. After a diagnosis is made the doctor will give you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a specialist who can listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you live in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can request a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and those who were born female). The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website, which includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with an assessment. They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will tell you why and request a second referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. If you're an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.