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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, consult your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their provider. A psychiatrist will examine your condition through a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They will ask for evidence including childhood history and school reports are often requested. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have insurance the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. If you're unsure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, you can contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You may also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears like. This makes it difficult to recognize someone with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms. When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is especially important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. You should consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor but you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor could recommend you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will then look at your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England You can select the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from the list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your doctor If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD, they may be able to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as the mental health history of your family. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the clinical interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter explaining that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse for reasons of any kind, it might be worth changing your GP. This is especially true if you plan to apply for a Shared Care Agreement in the future. If iampsychiatry.uk is willing to make the referral, then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is essential because it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you have been functioning in various areas of your life. Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will provide you with treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you are a student then it is likely that your doctor will suggest a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who do not know much about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition. Right to Choose If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have a right to choose the provider. This is known as the “Right to Choose”. The only requirement for a provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you find out the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can learn more by contact the provider directly, or contacting your GP. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues such as adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to refer you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. You should also inquire with 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. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will concentrate on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview and bring a friend or family member to support you. Ask your GP about options for medications. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they should remember that there is a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived notions about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing particularly for women or people of color, as well as those born female). Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have a guide on their website that includes templates you can provide to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and most of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal appointment for psychiatric treatment and will consist of an in-depth interview with the psychiatrist. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often beneficial if you have a family member or acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment. They will tell you if they believe that you are a candidate for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your traits (symptoms). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will tell you why and you can ask them to refer you again. After receiving an 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 get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they can be misleading. It is essential to receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there could be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. If you are a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students allowance.