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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting a long time and are not getting an assessment, ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will assess you using a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might 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 have health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. This can be a problem when trying to get an assessment. Medical professionals don't have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is essential to be comfortable with your physician, but you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to utilize your right to Choose to choose the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health background. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out in conjunction with the clinical interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason it might be worth switching your GP, especially if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP does agree to make the referral then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you have been functioning in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication 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 finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told 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 be a challenge to find a professional who can listen and understand your condition. Right to pick If you reside in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only condition is that the provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to assist you. It is also advisable to consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant medications that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can have a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they have a helpful guide to doing this on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is usually helpful if you have family members or a friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will let you know if they believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different 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 request 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 to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other support available to help ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. They can give you guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.