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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting an extended period you can request your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health, and can prescribe medications to treat 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 not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance then you can go through an individual provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get an assessment. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much hands-on experience with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be able to trust your physician, but you should not settle for less. Your doctor could recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if your situation meets 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 are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in addition to the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children aren't treated of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and understand your condition. Right to choose If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is known as 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 find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can request a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially among women as well as people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can hand to the GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various situations and settings. adhd diagnosing is usually helpful to have a friend or family member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and inform you of your diagnosis. They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will tell you why and you may request another 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 may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you're a university student for instance you may request an assessment. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.