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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers – referred to as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview, and will focus on the various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't 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 notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've discovered one. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician, you should not be forced to accept less than you deserve. Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This typically involves a survey and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could influence your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult might be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Or that children don't grow out of ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition. Right to pick If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP. It is important to remember that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for 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. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to support you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not want to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied 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 especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can hand to the GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue a diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria they will explain why, and you can request an additional referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run. You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. You should seek 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 take medication, other support might be available. If you are a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.