How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis UK Tools To Help You Manage Your Life Everyday How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait is very long, consider asking your GP to refer you to the law that grants patients rights to choose their providers and treatment providers - referred to as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will assess you using a structured clinical interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They might ask for your childhood records and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit 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 could also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt for a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be a problem when trying to get a diagnosis. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and don't have much practical experience with it. You'll have to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

When you have found a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a relationship of trust with them. This is particularly important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about finding a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with your current one. It is important to be comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for anything less.

Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with 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 analyze your results to determine if you fit the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You have the right to choose which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list providers, and you can use your Right to Choose to select the one that is most suitable for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments to adults, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to wait.

Ask your GP

If you have an GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be happy to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family's mental health history. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in addition to the clinical interview. This is to help provide an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the possibility of comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. You can get the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are unable to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a short time before you are able to meet with the specialist. It is essential to be prepared for this, since the interview will focus on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've been performing in various aspects of your life.

Following a formal diagnosis, your specialist will give you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will receive guidance on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a student it is likely that your specialist 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 getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. how to diagnose adhd might be told you don't require treatment because you don't have hyperactivity. Or that adults don’t get treated. Children are said to grow out of ADHD. It's not easy to find a professional who can listen and comprehend the symptoms.

Right to Choose

If you reside in England and your GP agrees to send you for an ADHD assessment You have a legal right to choose which provider to be referred to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement is that the selected provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the provider of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.

You should be aware that GPs are general practitioners and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD as a condition, and only a doctor can make this diagnosis.

You should also ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right of Choice and select a different doctor.


You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD assessed. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview ahead of time and have an immediate family member to provide support.

You should also consult your GP to look into different options for your medication. They may be hesitant to prescribe stimulants, but they should remember that there are a variety of non-stimulant medications which can help control the symptoms of ADHD. These can include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dexamphetamine and atomoxetine (Strateva). You might also consider cognitive-behavioral treatment or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD.

Private Assessment

You can refer yourself to an individual assessment in case you don't want to wait for the NHS or in the event that your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). The main provider of these assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a helpful guide to taking this step on their website that includes a template form that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also provide a list of the providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private appointment is typically slightly longer than a normal appointment with a psychiatrist and will include an organized interview with a psychiatrist. This will cover different aspects of your life and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in a variety of situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a friend or family member give feedback. The psychiatrist will analyze their findings and notify you of your diagnosis.

They will let you know if they believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're in the right category, they will explain why, and you can ask for an additional referral.

After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to obtain a shared care agreement for medication 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 inaccurate. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible results. Depending on your circumstances and whether or not you are willing to use medication, there may be other resources available that can ease your symptoms. For example, if you are a student, you can get an assessment from your school. They can provide you with advice on reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Student's Allowance.