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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. 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 interview to determine your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. 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 can choose an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you correctly. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out an alternative. It is important to be comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. adhd diagnosis uk adults involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you know the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or asking your GP. It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, 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 an expert can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to assistance. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women or people of color, as well as those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful if you have family members or a friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you back. Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This could help you save money over the course of time. It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to get the best results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students allowance.