How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for for a long time, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider.

A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will ask for evidence, including childhood histories school reports may be requested.

Find a psychiatrist

They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurer to find out. You may also request your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt for an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD is like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to build a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve.

Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can 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 wait times significantly.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you want to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print a template and give it to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request in any way, it could be worth changing your GP particularly when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP will agree to refer you, you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to be prepared for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life now. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life.

After a diagnosis is made the doctor will offer you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told you don't need treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can take persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.

Right to Pick

If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP.

It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken 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.

Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they are too high, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor.

If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide support.

Ask your GP about the options click here for medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can provide to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person.

A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also consider your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.

They will tell you if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe a different condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they don't believe you're in the right category, they will give reasons and ask for an additional referral.

After receiving an diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.

Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable and the Disabled Student's Allowance.