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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time you can ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for a different one. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly. 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 an assessment. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted along with the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth switching your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, because the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the service. diagnosing adhd adults is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you find out 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 general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is 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 fill out a questionnaire and to 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. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a family member to assist you. You should also ask your GP to consider different options for your medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs 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're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (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 to a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. The majority of them provide 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 your psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will explain why, and you can ask for an additional referral. After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.