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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting for a long time you can request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. If you're unsure if a psychiatrist is in your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search the internet for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may opt for a private service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for less. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose which location to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also help by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment You have the legal right to select the provider you want to be referred to. 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 recommended to find out the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose another provider. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD evaluated. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance. It is also advisable to ask your GP to look into medication options for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially for women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can give to the GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person. A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often beneficial to have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and inform you of the diagnosis. I Am Psychiatry will tell them if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why, and you can ask for a second referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can help you save 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 as they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. If you're a student at a university, for example you may request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.