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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 for a long time and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They will require documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance company if uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You may also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to identify people with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor 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 will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request in any way, it could be worthwhile to change your GP particularly if you want to to apply for a 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 essential to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a university student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be difficult to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose the service. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement is that the selected provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to find out about waiting times for the service of your choice before you contact them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP. When diagnosis of adhd in adults visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have a family member present for assistance. You should also consult your GP to look into medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with 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 growing issue particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of 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 inventory of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is usually helpful if you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of the diagnosis. They will let you know if they 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 give reasons and ask for a second referral. After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options might be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your school. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.