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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting an extended period and are not getting an assessment, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've discovered one. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for another one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve. Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your right to Choose to select the provider that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. diagnose adhd in adults can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the issue. Right to Choose If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose which provider. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only condition is that the provider has 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 before you contact them. You can do this by calling 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 issues, including adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to support you. Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish 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. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat 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 may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for doing this on their website, which includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request for a referral. After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long run. It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. For instance, if are a student, you can receive an assessment from your school. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.