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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult IamPsychiatry do not have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for a different one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. 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 the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life right now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been performing 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 behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your therapist will recommend 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 nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to be able to overcome ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the condition. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement is that the chosen provider has 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 you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable 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 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and choose a different GP. You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a family member to support you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to a 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 with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD, or if they believe that a different condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is essential to receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. If you are a university student, for example you could request an assessment. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.