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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 wait is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider and treatment providers – referred to as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview to assess your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They will request documents, such as childhood records and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If adult adhd diagnosis uk are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You could also request your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist expert or search the internet for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and experienced with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone who has ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to establish an assessment. A lot of medical professionals do not have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out another one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than what you deserve. Your GP may refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you are able to use your right to Choose to select the one that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online which can cut wait times significantly. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get a diagnosis. In the UK it will require a clinic interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and any comorbidities that could influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he would like to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, since the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in different areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed your specialist will advise on treatment options. These could include talking therapies and behavioral interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement of 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 it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Or that children don't develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your situation. Right to pick If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose the service. This is called 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 find out the waiting time of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information. It is important to remember that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for 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. You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you could use your Right to Choice and choose another provider. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your personal history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide assistance. It is also advisable to consult your GP to consider medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can hand to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers available on their website and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is often beneficial to have a family member or friend who can give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue an assessment. They will inform you if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will explain why, and you can request a second referral. After receiving the diagnosis, it's 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 could save you money in the long term. You should not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or any self-diagnosis software as they could be misleading. It is crucial to get a professional, unbiased evaluation to ensure you get the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medications, other assistance might be available. If you are an undergraduate student for instance, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students allowance.