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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients rights to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to establish an assessment. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor but you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for an assessment. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth switching your GP particularly when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP is willing to make the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you have been functioning in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with 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 do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as 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 provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling 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 at diagnosing mental disorders like 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 taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to support. You should also seek advice from your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an individual assessment 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 becoming more prevalent, especially for women, people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various situations and settings. IamPsychiatry is a good idea to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue a diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request for a referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other treatment options could be available. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.