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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 the waiting time is long, think about asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and the impact on various aspects of your life. They will require documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talk. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You can also ask your GP for the referral to a psychiatrist specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private 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 is like. This can be a problem when trying to get a diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals do not have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, you should consider seeking out an alternative. While it is important to feel comfortable with a doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose which location to receive your NHS assessments. You can select from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to provide online assessments for adults which can cut wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, including comorbid conditions, that might be influencing your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also help by writing a letter stating that you wish to be referred for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download a template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP in particular if you want to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential, as it will likely focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've performed in different areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis the doctor will give you treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will recommend a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You may be told you don't need treatment since you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition. Right to Choose If you live in England and your GP consents to send you for an ADHD assessment you have a legal right select the provider you want to refer you to. This is called the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also know the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. adult adhd diagnosis uk can do this by calling directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are 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. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting time is too long, you may use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and attend an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it impacted your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview ahead of time and have a family member present for assistance. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to a private assessment in case 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 becoming more prevalent, especially among women, people of color and women born to females). The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for taking this step on their website, which includes a template form that you can hand 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 an ordinary appointment with a psychiatrist and will include a structured interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you a diagnosis. 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 don't believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. Once you have received an assessment, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. visit website will need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to get an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long run. Do not depend on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. It is recommended to get a qualified and objective assessment to get the best results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other options that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your university. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.