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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that gives patients the right to choose their provider – known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to evaluate your symptoms and the impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your childhood history and school reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists specialize in mental health and can prescribe medications to treat ADHD. They may also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance, your psychiatrist's visits should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You could also ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, then you can go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD is like. This can make it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and don't have a lot of practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is crucial, particularly when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to be able to trust your doctor, but you should not settle for less. Your GP can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in different social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to wait. Ask your GP If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD and its symptoms, they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests may be administered in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could influence your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print the template and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth switching your GP. This is especially relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief time before you are able to meet with the specialist. Preparing for the interview is crucial since it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in different areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you're a university student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes doctors, nurses, and psychologists. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive. Or that adults don't receive treatment and that children get rid of it. It can be challenging to find a specialist who will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to Choose If you live in England and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you are entitled to choose the provider. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. 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 recommended to also know the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by calling them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is worth noting that GPs are only general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to send you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. It 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 this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about the waiting times they are currently awaiting for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different GP. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview ahead of time and have a family member present for support. You should also consult your GP to consider the options for medication for you. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not content 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 as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide that includes templates you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is usually just a little longer than a regular psychiatric appointment and will include a structured interview with the psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and give you an assessment. They will tell you if they believe that you have the right criteria for ADHD, or if they believe a different condition is more appropriate to explain your behavior (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reason and you can ask them to refer you back. After you have received a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to pursue the path of medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This can save you money over time. Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on iampsychiatry and whether or not you're willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can help with your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your university. They can offer suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.