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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 are waiting a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you are unsure whether a psychiatrist is in your network, call your insurance company to determine the status. You could also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different 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 to receive your NHS assessments. diagnosed with adhd as an adult offers a list providers, and you can make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in different areas of your life. After a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're a student at a university your doctor might suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the condition. Right to choose If you live in England and your GP accepts 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 is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand 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 only a specialist can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you. It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider different options for your medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medications that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can have an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women as well as people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have family members or a friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will tell you why, and you can ask for another referral. After you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other support could be available. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.