How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for an extended period you can ask 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 evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records - school reports are sometimes requested. Find a Psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through an independent service. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to identify the person with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. https://output.jsbin.com/sagikigeze/ will have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable 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 what you deserve. Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire, and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in various aspects of your life. After a formal diagnosis, your specialist will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told that you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will develop ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the issue. Right to choose If you live in England and your GP consents to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information. It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you need to be referred to 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. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to support you. You should also ask your GP to look into different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem particularly 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 assessment. The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to making this request on their website that includes templates for forms you can hand to your GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful if you have family members or a friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of your diagnosis. They will tell them if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask for a referral. After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other treatment options may be available. If you're a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.