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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 time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will examine you using a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurer to determine the status. You can also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may opt to use an individual service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to get an assessment. Medical professionals don't have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out a different one. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor could recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After a diagnosis is made your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for 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 cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose another provider. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to support you. Ask your GP about medication options. They may not want to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavior 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 may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, those of colour and those assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various settings and situations. diagnosing adhd adults is usually helpful to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason 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. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You may be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This could save you money over time. Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to get the best results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.