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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 for a long time you can ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will request evidence including childhood history – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to be able to trust your physician however, you should not settle for less. Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in addition to the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP accepts to refer you, you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is essential because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've performed in various aspects of your life. After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to choose If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to find out the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you can use your Right to Choice and choose another provider. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. adhd diagnosis uk adults are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to assist you. You should also ask your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment. They will inform you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you back. After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long term. find out here is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options that can ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.