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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 an extended period you can ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request documents, such as childhood records – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance company if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be comfortable with your physician however, you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse to do this in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain 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 develop ADHD. It can take persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the condition. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to learn about the waiting times for the service you prefer before you 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 in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist 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 examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to assist you. It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can have an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women or people of color, as well as those born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for making this request on their website that includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. This will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also review your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with an assessment. They will inform them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask them to refer you back. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run. It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.