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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 you're waiting a long time you can consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will examine you using a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will require evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to be able to trust your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, 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 university student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. diagnosis of adhd makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to Choose If you reside in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is called the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't 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 they are too high you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will be centered on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you. It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat 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 growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can provide to the GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that 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 think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. If you're a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.