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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is long, think about asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will require evidence including childhood history – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you have insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to get a diagnosis. Medical professionals don't have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. It is essential to feel comfortable with your physician however, you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various aspects of your life. After a diagnosis is made your doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make 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, that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the condition. Right to pick If you reside in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you are entitled to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. 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 also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, 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 can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose another provider. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide support. Ask undiagnosed adhd adults about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can have an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This could save you money over the course of time. You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. If you're a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.