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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time you can ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested. Find a Psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get an assessment. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've identified one. This is particularly important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. It is essential to be able to trust your physician but you should not settle for anything less. Your doctor may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to wait. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is important to prepare yourself for this, as the clinical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life right now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've performed in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement that a 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 find out the waiting times for the provider before you contact them. You can learn more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance. It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can have a private assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or if 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 those who were born female). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. adult adhd diagnosis uk will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is usually helpful when you have a family member or friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment. They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the end. You should not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis tools as these can be a false diagnosis. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. For instance, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.