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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is long, think about asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll need to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out a different one. It is essential to be able to trust your doctor however, you should not settle for anything less. Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms 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 where to get your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP in particular in the event that you plan to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. 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 may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the symptoms. Right to pick If adhd uk diagnosis reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called the “Right to Choose”. 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 that you learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can learn more by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is worth noting that general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider. adhd uk diagnosis will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to support. It is also advisable to ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can have a private assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women as well as people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial if you have a family member or acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and give you an assessment. They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will explain why and you may ask for a second referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your school. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.