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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for an extended period and are not getting an assessment, consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will examine you through a structured interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They will ask for documents, such as childhood records school reports may be requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD looks like. adhd diagnose can be problematic when trying to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor but you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve. Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The process usually includes a questionnaire, as well as a discussion between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide assessments online to adults, which could significantly reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they might be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in addition to the clinical interview. This will help give more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get a template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is essential to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life. After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a university student, your specialist may recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment 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 get rid of it. It can be difficult to find a professional who will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to Choose If you live in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. 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 recommended to also find out the waiting times of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you need to be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. It 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. You should also ask your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to assist you. You should also seek advice from your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are concerned that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of color, and those who are assigned as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can hand to a GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current state of functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you again. Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This can save you money over the course of time. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is crucial to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can ease your symptoms. If you are a university student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.