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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting an extended period and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to find out. You could also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to identify people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms. It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about seeking out another one. It is essential to be able to trust your physician, but you should not settle for less. Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the interview. This will help to provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason it might be worth changing your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, you will have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student, it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the symptoms. Right to Pick If you live in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for a 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 to know the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to 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 as a condition, and only doctors can make this 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 make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of colour and those assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to the GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person. A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of your diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why, and you can request a second referral. After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get 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 essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.