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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 the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will require evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you correctly. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to settle for less than you deserve. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce the time it takes to wait. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, as the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that 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 difficult to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition. Right to pick If you reside in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also find out the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses 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 are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to support. You should also consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from 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 looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can give to your GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. The majority of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a regular psychiatric visit and include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. adhd diagnosing can save you money over time. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or any self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options could be available. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.