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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 you are waiting for a long time and are not getting an assessment, request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They will request evidence, including childhood histories – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medication for ADHD. They can also offer talk therapy. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. If adhd diagnosis adults are unsure whether you have a psychiatrist in your network, contact your insurer to find out. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you may choose to go through a private provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone who has ADHD appears to be. This can make it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication for your ADHD. Consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to be able to trust your physician but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your GP can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. The typical assessment involves a survey and an interview with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life 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 have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have a 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 include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could also be conducted in addition to 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 letter stating 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 decline for any reason, it could be worth re-evaluating your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial, as it will likely be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You'll 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 doctor will provide advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be coached on how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you're a university student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs, nurses, and psychologists. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't receive treatment and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you reside in England and your GP accepts that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have a right to choose the provider. This is referred to as the 'Right of Choice'. The only condition is that the provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more by calling the provider directly or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and only a specialist can make this 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 could make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit get your ADHD evaluated. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you. Ask your GP about the options for medication. They may be reluctant to prescribe stimulants but they should be aware that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and Atomoxetine. You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived assumptions about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially among women as well as people of color and those who were born female). The main service provider for these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to making this request on their website that includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis and in-person. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an organized interview with your psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have family members or a friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and provide you with your diagnosis. They will inform you if you believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reasons why and you can request them to refer you again. After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to pursue the path of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end. Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they could be erroneous. It is recommended to get a qualified and unbiased assessment in order to receive the best outcome. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance could be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could get an assessment from your university. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.