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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. 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 you may choose to go through a private provider. Make sure adhd diagnosis uk adults has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to diagnose people with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms. Once adhd diagnosis uk adults find a psychiatrist, it is important 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, think about looking for another one. While it's important to be comfortable with your doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can utilize your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to provide 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 to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes comorbid conditions, that might be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they decline for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a university student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children will be able to overcome ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose which provider. This is called 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 learn about the waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more information. It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and choose another provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to assist you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth) You can self-refer for a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. They offer both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment usually takes just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of a structured interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. 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 don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back. After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end. You should not rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. You should get a professional and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medication, other support might be available. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.