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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK You can be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your GP. If you are waiting a long time, request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to determine your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They might ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health and they can prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You may also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is important, especially in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about looking for another one. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a medical evaluation. This usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut 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 able to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview in a clinic with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) and will involve questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. Neuropsychological tests can be administered in conjunction with the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a short wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you've been performing in various aspects of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don't receive treatment. Or that children will grow out of ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional who will 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 a third party, you are entitled to choose which provider. This is known as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for a provider to be able provide 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 them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental illnesses such as adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are 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 taken 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 their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. If adult adhd diagnosis uk are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a survey and to attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to help you. It is also advisable to ask your GP to consider different options for your medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a typical psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with a psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is usually helpful if you have a family member or friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you meet the criteria they will explain why and you may ask for a second referral. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able to get an agreement on shared-care for medication via your GP. This can 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 as they could be inaccurate. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options may be available. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your university. They can provide you with suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.