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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and the impact on various aspects of your life. They will request evidence including childhood history – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if a psychiatrist is in your network, call your insurer to find out. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. adhd diagnosis in adults can be a problem when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately diagnose your symptoms. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out an alternative. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you deserve. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to wait. Ask your GP If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in addition to the interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth switching your GP in particular when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life. After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the issue. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement for 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 that you know the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP. You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, 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 only an expert can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to help you. It is also advisable to ask your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy 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, people of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person. A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment. They will inform you if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request for a referral. After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term. Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to get the best results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance may be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.