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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 time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview and focus on your various areas of your life that your symptoms have an impact on. They will require documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is covered by your insurance. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric expert or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt for an individual service. Be sure to ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can make it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the required expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will have to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan to begin taking medication for your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you deserve. Your doctor could refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. You can pick from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be willing to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family history of mental health. diagnosing adhd is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter stating that you would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is vital since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in different areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will provide you with treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and receive an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a professional that can listen and understand your situation. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP is in agreement that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you are entitled to choose the service. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. 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 also recommended to find out about waiting times for the service you prefer before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have someone from your family present to assistance. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from 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 beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent, especially among women as well as people of color and women born to females). The main service provider for the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website which includes a template form that you can give to your GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful when you have a family member or friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and give you an assessment. They will let you know if they 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're in the right category, they will tell you why and request an additional referral. After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the end. It is not recommended to depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is essential to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. If you're a university student, for example you may request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.