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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They will request documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, contact your insurer to determine the status. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms. It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is particularly important when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor however, you should not settle for less. Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. diagnosing adhd uk can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut wait times significantly. Ask your GP If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to do this in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP, especially in the event that you plan to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance 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 recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who will listen and understand the condition. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a family member to help you. It is also advisable to consult your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for doing this on their website that includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful if you have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why, and you can ask for another referral. After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your school. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.