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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, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance then the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance company to find out. You can also request your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to obtain an assessment. A lot of medical professionals do not have the required training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and diagnose you accurately. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. If you're uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider seeking out a different one. While it is essential to feel comfortable with a physician but you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than you're entitled to. Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as an interview with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can select from the list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers can provide assessments online to adults, which can significantly reduce waiting times. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to receive a diagnosis. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could be influencing your ADHD. Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, because the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life right now. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you have been functioning in various aspects of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and a report that includes suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you're an undergraduate student, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals in the UK from GPs to nurses and psychologists who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your situation. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to be referred to. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement that a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). how to get an adult adhd diagnosis IamPsychiatry is recommended to also find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP. It is important to know that GPs are general practitioners, and are therefore not experts at diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download a letter from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choose and select a different doctor. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also discuss your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for the interview and bring a family member to assist you. You should also ask your GP to look into medication options for you. They might 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. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can refer yourself to an individual assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is increasing, especially for women, people of color and women born to females). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website which includes templates that you can hand to a GP. They also have a list of providers available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person. A private assessment is usually slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with your psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in various contexts and settings. It is often helpful to have someone in your family or a close friend who can provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue a diagnosis. They will inform you if they believe you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they don't believe you meet the criteria, they will explain why and you can ask them to refer you again. After receiving the diagnosis, it's your decision whether to decide to take medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. It is essential to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other options to help ease your symptoms. For example, if you are an undergraduate, you could obtain an assessment from your school. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.