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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that gives patients the right to choose their providers – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and your impact on various aspects of your life. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to identify someone with ADHD. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can identify your symptoms. It is essential to build an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is especially important if you are planning to start taking medication for your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it is important to be comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you deserve. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social settings. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements 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 use your Right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can significantly reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult decline 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 is willing to make the referral, then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've performed in different areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can take persistence to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the symptoms. Right to Choose 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 the service. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement is that the chosen provider is covered by an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you know the waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this and you are unable to convince your doctor, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide support. It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider medication options for you. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can have an assessment privately in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for 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 which includes templates that you can provide to a GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different situations and settings. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and inform you of your diagnosis. They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why and request an additional referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be misleading. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. If you're an undergraduate student, for example you may request an assessment. They will be able to provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students the'Allowance.