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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 waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your childhood history and school reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider getting how to diagnosis adhd in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be comfortable with your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the option of choosing where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can utilize your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can significantly reduce wait times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After a diagnosis is made your doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can take persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes taken 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 times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP. You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide support. Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can provide to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial when you have family members or a friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with an assessment. They will inform you 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 meet the criteria they will explain why, and you can request an additional referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and objective assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other support may be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.