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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If the waiting time is long, think about 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 assess your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact adult adhd diagnosis uk if not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've found one. 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 an alternative. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your physician however, you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can choose where you receive 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 cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires about ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on 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 will be provided with a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to choose If you reside in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose which provider to be referred 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 that you also find out the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to note that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give 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 the diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and choose another provider. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women as well as people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to the GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person. A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will tell you if they believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons and ask for an additional referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may get an assessment from your university. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students allowance.