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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 you're waiting for an extended period and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit 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 recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out a different one. While it's important to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who will listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. The only condition is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This 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. You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If adhd diagnosis adults enough, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. 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 in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide support. Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied 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 as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website with templates 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 as well as in person. A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This could save you money over the course of time. Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students allowance.