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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you are waiting an extended period, ask your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They will require evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They may also provide therapy for talking. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurer to determine the status. You may also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. 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 don't have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. Once you find a psychiatrist, it is essential to build a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor, but you should not settle for anything less. Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a questionnaire and a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social settings. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose where to get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers can offer online assessments to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help give a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter to let them know that you want to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly 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 short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital, as it will likely concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've performed in various areas of your life. After you've been officially diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These treatments could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're a student at a university Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children aren't treated of it. It can be a challenge to find a professional who can listen and understand your condition. Right to choose If you reside in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement that a provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended to also know the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details. I Am Psychiatry is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're not able to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD evaluation. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring someone from your family present to support. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may not be able to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate and dexamphetamine as well as atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly among women or people of color, as well as those born female). The main provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website that includes templates for forms you can provide to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of providers. The majority of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. This will cover various aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different settings and situations, it is often helpful when you have family members or a acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will tell you why and you may ask for a second referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long term. Do not rely entirely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other resources available to help ease your symptoms. If you're a student at a university for instance you could request an assessment. They can give you advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.