How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients the right to choose their providers - known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms have an impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms. It is crucial to establish an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is particularly important in the event that you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for another one. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your physician but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an interview with the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-diagnosis/ If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing 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 print out the template and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for a 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. Making preparations for the interview is crucial since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've performed in different areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are many professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who can listen and comprehend the condition. Right to Choose If you live in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose which provider to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can find out more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. You should also 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 of Choice and select a different doctor. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly for women as well as people of color and those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide which includes templates that you can provide to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an organized interview with a psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you a diagnosis. They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're a fit for the criteria, they will give reasons, and you can ask for a second referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. You should not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be inaccurate. It is important that you receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medications, other assistance may be available. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.