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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time, request your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to determine the status. 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, then you can go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out another one. It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor however, you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose where to receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in various aspects of your life. After a diagnosis is made the doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing care. If you're a university student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your condition. Right to Pick If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to note that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It 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 assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. When you go for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a family member to support you. Ask how is adult adhd diagnosed about options for medications. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can have a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They have a great guide for taking this step on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also examine your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial when you have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with a diagnosis. They will inform them if they believe you are a candidate 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 explain why and you may request an additional referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This could save you money over the course of time. You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other support could be available. If you're a university student for instance you may request an assessment. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.