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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 time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers called Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and your impact on different areas of your life. They will request evidence, including childhood histories – school reports are sometimes requested. Find a psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also offer therapy for talking. If I Am Psychiatry are covered by health insurance the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. 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, then you can go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This makes it difficult to diagnose the person with ADHD. Medical professionals don't have the proper training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You will have to do some work to locate an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose you. If you are able to find a psychiatrist, it is essential to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is important, especially when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. If you are uncomfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for another one. It is important to feel comfortable with your physician however, you shouldn't settle for anything less. Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England, you have the right to choose the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers that are provided by the NHS. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults, which can dramatically reduce wait times. Ask your doctor If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this would involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not a nurse) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests could be administered in addition to the interview. This will give you a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP may also be able to assist by writing a letter to let them know that you would like to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they don't want to do this in any way, it could be worth changing your GP particularly in the event that you plan to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the medical interview will likely focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life right now. You'll be asked to give examples and be prepared for a discussion about how you've been performing in various areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be provided with advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student, it is likely that your therapist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medications for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who do not have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment because you're not hyperactive. Also, adults don't receive treatment. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and comprehend your condition. Right to Choose If you reside in England and your GP will send you for an ADHD assessment, you have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is called the “Right to Choice”. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended that you also find out the waiting time of the provider before you contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to have an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only doctors can make this diagnosis. Ask your GP what their current waiting times are for an ADHD evaluation. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right of Choice and choose a different provider. You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to have your ADHD assessed. Interviews are typically conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You must prepare for this interview in advance and bring an immediate family member to provide assistance. Ask your GP about medication options. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, however they must remember that there are a range of non-stimulant medicines that can assist in managing the symptoms of ADHD. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). You may also consider cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can request an assessment privately when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or in the event that 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 born female). The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK and 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 available on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis and in-person. A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a typical appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and the way your symptoms affect your current functioning. They will also review your symptoms in various settings and situations. It is usually helpful to have a family member or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and provide you with an assessment. 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 believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know the reason and you can ask for a referral. Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to sign a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the long term. Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis via the internet or self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to accept medication, other treatment options might be available. If you're a student at a university for instance you may request an assessment. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.