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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK GPs can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time, request your GP to refer you to the Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their preferred provider. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to assess your symptoms and the impact on different areas of your life. They might request your childhood records and school reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurance company if unsure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. 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 then you can go through a private provider. But, ensure that the psychiatrist you choose is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be a problem when trying to establish a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You will have to work hard to locate an adult ADHD specialist who can assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. It is essential to be able to trust your physician however, you should not settle for less. Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a thorough clinical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social circumstances. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you can choose the location where you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer adult assessments online, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP with a good understanding of ADHD they might be able to refer you to the NHS to get an assessment. In the UK, this will involve a clinic interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) that will comprise questionnaires about ADHD symptoms, medical history, and family mental health background. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out along with the interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses and other conditions that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to sign this form of consent for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP agrees to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the interview will concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life today. You will be asked for examples and to talk about how you've performed in various areas of your life. After you've been diagnosed your specialist will advise on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions, and prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and given an assessment with recommendations for ongoing treatment. If you're a university student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medications for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This can make finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. 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 may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the condition. Right to pick If how do i get an adhd diagnosis live in England, and your GP accepts that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by a third party, you have the right to choose the service. This is known as the “Right to Choice”. The only requirement for a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times of the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details. It is important to remember that GPs are general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to 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 guidance which state that a GP is not able to refuse to diagnose ADHD and only an expert can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is too long, you could use your Right to Choice and select a different provider. You will be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire and participate in an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists 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 examine your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview in advance and bring a family member present for assistance. You should also consult your GP to think about possible medication options for you. They might be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they must remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant drugs that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing problem especially for women, people of colour and those assigned female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK and they offer a useful guide for taking this step on their website, which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they provide a list of providers. Most of them offer both online and in-person diagnosis. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with the psychiatrist. This will cover various aspects of your life and the way your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different environments and situations. It is often beneficial to have someone in your family or a close friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue an assessment. They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and ask for a second referral. After receiving a diagnosis, you are able to decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run. Do not rely entirely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they could be erroneous. It is crucial to obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Based on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medications, other assistance might be available. For instance, if are a student, you may receive an assessment from your university. They will be able to give you advice on appropriate adjustments and Disabled Students' Allowance.