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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 Iam Psychiatry waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to assess your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They might request your childhood records and school reports. Find a Psychiatrist They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance then the cost of your psychiatrist's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you may opt to use an individual service. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for an alternative. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't have to settle for less than you're entitled to. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you can use your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) and will involve questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as medical history and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help to provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses and comorbid conditions that may be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP particularly when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to the referral, then there will be a short wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, because the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then 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 including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes it difficult to get an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It's not easy to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue. Right to choose If you reside in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you may utilize your Right to Choose and choose a different provider. When you visit for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide support. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content 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 especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes a template form that you can give to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of the providers. Most of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and issue an assessment. They will tell if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will explain why and request another referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run. It is not recommended to be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or any self-diagnosis tools as these can be inaccurate. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on your situation and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.