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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting an extended period you can consult your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They will ask for 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 insurance the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance provider to find out. You can also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. Be sure that the Psychiatrist you choose is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience with it. You will need to do some research to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can diagnose your symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is particularly important when you plan to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider finding a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While how to get an adhd diagnosis uk 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 to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you have the right to choose where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they might be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to do this for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP does agree to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You will be asked to give examples and be prepared for discussion about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're an undergraduate student Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medications for you. Unfortunately there are a number of professionals in the UK including GPs, psychologists and nurses, who have little knowledge about ADHD. This makes it difficult to receive an assessment or access treatment. You might be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who will listen and understand the issue. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. 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 that you 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 information. It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist 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 download to hand 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 a doctor can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough, you can exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP. When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. adhd uk diagnosis will be centered on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview and bring a family member to help you. You should also seek advice from your GP to look into the options for medication for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant medications which can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) You can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. They offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is usually helpful when you have someone in your family or a close acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and notify you of the diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe you have the right criteria for ADHD or if they believe that a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reason and you can ask them to refer you back. After receiving a diagnosis, it is up to you whether you decide to take medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign a shared-care agreement for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. You should seek a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support might be available. For instance, if are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your school. They can offer advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.