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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a Psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You can 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 then you can go through a private provider. However, make sure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears to be. adhd diagnose can be a problem when trying to get an assessment. Many medical professionals do not have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you correctly. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for a different one. It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for 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 provide online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will help give more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out an example and present it to your GP. If they decline for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, because the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK, from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and understand your condition. Right to choose If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you find out the waiting times of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information. You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners, and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for 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 download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for the interview and bring a friend or family member to support you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. They include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth), then you can self-refer for a private assessment. The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis and in person. A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with your psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment. They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and ask for an additional referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. You should seek a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medication, other support may be available. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.