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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you're waiting a long time, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. 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 may ask for your childhood records and school reports. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. www.iampsychiatry.uk may also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services online. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private provider. However, make sure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD looks like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. Medical professionals don't have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately determine the symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly crucial in the event that you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to feel comfortable with a doctor 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 usually involves a survey and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to utilize your Right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which could significantly reduce waiting times. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in addition to 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 would like to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is particularly applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to refer you, you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, because the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in various aspects of your life. After a diagnosis is made your doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're an undergraduate student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the service. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. 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 of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more information by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP. It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get 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. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to fill out a questionnaire and to attend an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you. You should also seek advice from your GP to look into medication options for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, however they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant medicines that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an individual assessment if you don't want to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing particularly among women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can hand to a GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in a variety of contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis. They will tell if you believe you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reasons why and you can request for a referral. Once you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you want to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP. This could save you money over time. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. You should get a professional and objective assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to accept medications, other assistance could be available. For example, if you are a student, you can obtain an assessment from your school. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.