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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 use the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're not sure if a psychiatrist is in your network, call your insurer to determine the status. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt for an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to identify people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for another one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not have to settle for less than you deserve. Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose which location to get your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will give you more information about your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP in particular in the event that you plan to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, because the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life. After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will give you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It's not easy to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue. Right to choose If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement for the provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or asking your GP. You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long you may exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be 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 this interview ahead of time and have a family member present for support. It is also advisable to ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. undiagnosed adult adhd might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for taking this step on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial to have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment. They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask for a referral. Once you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end. You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.