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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you are waiting for a long time you can request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They will ask for evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. 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 notions of what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. Medical professionals don't have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. It is important to develop a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to utilize your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP, especially when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. 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 doctor 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 as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. 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 get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the symptoms. Right to Pick If you reside in England, and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the service. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. 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 to learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide support. You should also seek advice from your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly for women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to the GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person. A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of the diagnosis. They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask for a 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 and you might be able to sign a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this can 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 can be misleading. adhd diagnosis uk adults is important that you receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.