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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers – referred to as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will evaluate your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will request documents, such as childhood records – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a Psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talk. If you are covered by health insurance then 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 could also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use an independent service. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper knowledge or training to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have discovered one. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider looking for a different one. While it is important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to. Your GP may recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to use your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have a GP with a good understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. adult adhd diagnosis uk can be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse to sign this form of consent in any way, it could be worth changing your GP, especially when you intend to go on to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact 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 specialist will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition. Right to choose If you live in England, and your GP is in agreement 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 offer 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 of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners and are therefore not experts in diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to 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 taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis. You should also ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview ahead of time and have a family member present for assistance. It is also advisable to consult your GP to look into medication options for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can have a private assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly for women, people of color and women born to females). The main service provider for these is Psychiatry-UK and they have a great guide for doing this on their website, which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private evaluation will typically be slightly longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various contexts and situations. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will give reasons and request another referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end. It is not recommended to rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and objective assessment to get the best results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They can offer guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.