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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 the right to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They will request evidence including childhood history – school reports are sometimes requested. Find adhd diagnosis adult specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services online. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. You'll need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is important to develop an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your GP may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. 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 where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to utilize your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP agrees to refer you, you'll have to wait a few weeks before 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 at present. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life. After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and understand your situation. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to support. It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The primary provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for taking this step on their website, which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of the diagnosis. They will inform you 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 don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask them to refer you back. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. If you are a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.