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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider looking for a different one. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you deserve. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce waiting times. Ask your GP If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP in particular when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life right now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This can make getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition. Right to pick If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the provider. This is called the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement is that the chosen 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 them directly or asking your GP for more information. adhd diagnosis uk is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with 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 choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your past experiences 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 support you. You should also ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can have a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women, people of color and those born female). The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful when you have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of your diagnosis. They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons and request an additional referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. You should seek a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your school. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.