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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms impact on. They will request documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance you can choose a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You'll need to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider searching for a different one. It is essential to be able to trust your doctor but you should not settle for less. Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP particularly if you want to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've been performing in various areas of your life. After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make 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 don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can take persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the condition. Right to choose If you live in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is called the “Right to Choice”. 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 you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP. You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview ahead of time and have a family member present for support. You should also consult your GP to think about possible the options for medication for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to the 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 usually takes slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also review your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. getting a adhd diagnosis will then review their findings and issue an assessment. They will tell you if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will tell you why and you may ask for a second referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run. You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is important that you receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the most effective results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you may request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.