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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 the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They will ask for evidence including childhood history school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You may also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for a private service. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with your current one. It is important to feel comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The typical assessment involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze 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 provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children don't grow out of ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who will listen and understand the symptoms. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by 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 before you contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for 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, 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 high you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral 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 worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned as female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can give to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful when you have family members or a acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you a diagnosis. They will tell you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will explain why and you may ask for a second referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on adhd diagnosis for adults of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance may be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your university. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.