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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on different areas of your life. They will request evidence including childhood history – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize people with ADHD. Many medical professionals do not have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to be able to trust your doctor however, you should not settle for anything less. Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK, this will involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) that will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and the mental health history of your family. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK, from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children will develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement is that the selected provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP. It is important to remember that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may need to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist in order to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choice and select a different doctor. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and bring a family member present for support. It is also advisable to seek advice from your GP to think about possible different options for your medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially among women, people of color and those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current state of functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is usually helpful if you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of your diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe another condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will explain why and ask for a second referral. After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You may be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication through your GP. This can help you save money over the course of time. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. undiagnosed adhd in adults will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disability Students allowance.