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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If adhd uk diagnosis waiting an extended period, 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 determine your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to find out. You can also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you can choose to go through an independent service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to get a diagnosis. In addition, many medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of practical experience with it. You'll need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with your current one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor, you should not be forced to accept less than what you deserve. Your doctor could refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will help to provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you're a university student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation. Right to Pick If you live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have a right to choose which provider. This is known as the 'Right of Choice'. The only requirement that a provider to be able provide 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 service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose 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. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You should prepare in advance for this interview and bring a friend or family member to assist you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can request a private assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly among women or people of color, as well as women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can provide to a GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private appointment is typically just a little longer than a regular appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often helpful to have family members or a friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue a diagnosis. They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask them to refer you back. After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased 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 support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your school. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.