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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will request documents, such as childhood records – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to get a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less. Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out a template and give it to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason it might be worthwhile to change your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, because the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life. After a diagnosis is made, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your therapist will suggest a shared care arrangement 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 GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms. Right to pick If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is known 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 also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a friend or family member to help you. It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can request a private assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women as well as people of color and women born to females). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for taking this step on their website which includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. Click Webpage will also examine your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you 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 get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long run. Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your school. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.