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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and the impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an individual service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately identify your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't have to settle for less than you're entitled to. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms 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 have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP may also be able to 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 download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason it might be worth changing your GP in particular if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, because the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice 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 recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition. Right to Pick If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the provider. 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 recommended to also find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to help you. It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for making this request on their website, which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often helpful when you have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you an assessment. They will let you know if they believe you meet 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 can ask for another referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term. Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medication, other support might be available. If you're a university student, for example, you can request an assessment. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.