The 10 Scariest Things About How To Get An ADHD Assessment How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK

Finding an ADHD assessment from the NHS can be difficult. Waiting lists can be long and, in some cases, people are diagnosed with other illness that might explain their issues better, such as anxiety or depression.

Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and ask why you think you may have ADHD. They should then refer you to an NHS assessment.

1. Consult your GP

In England and Wales in England and Wales, you can get the ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is recommended for you, you may be able to get it. You'll need to visit your GP and tell them why you suspect you be suffering from ADHD, and what effect it has on your life. Your GP will take this very seriously and ask you to complete an assessment questionnaire or screening tool prior to referring you to a specialist to conduct an assessment. Adults should prepare a list that includes specific ADHD symptoms and traits they encounter on a daily basis. Be prepared to provide examples if you are asked.

Your psychiatrist will assist you in determining whether or not you suffer from ADHD and will use a range of tools and approaches such as symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, as well as interviewing you, your family members and others who know you well. The psychiatrist will create a report based on the information they've received. They will then discuss their recommendation with you, which could be that you have been diagnosed with ADHD and, if appropriate you should be treated with a medication.

If you find that your doctor is unable to refer you for an assessment or refuses to prescribe ADHD medication through the NHS, it may be worthwhile looking for a different GP who will be more accommodating. The website of Psychiatry-UK offers helpful advice on this topic.

In linked web site , you have the legal right to decide the location where your GP recommends you to receive an ADHD assessment, so long that the service is offered through the NHS and does not cost you more than going through the NHS directly. If you are unable achieve progress with your local CCG, you can ask ICAS to assist you in making an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales The NHS has different guidelines and rules. You can access services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK also has some tips on this.

2. Ask for a reference

There are two ways to obtain an ADHD assessment, based on the location you reside in. The first is to go through the NHS and request your GP to refer you. This is a lengthy process and you may need to wait for years to receive an appointment. Alternately, you can opt for the 'Right to Choose route. This is a legal option that allows you to request a referral to a private provider in the event that you believe the NHS waiting time for an ADHD assessment is too long.

If you opt to sign this agreement, your GP will have to agree and sign a "shared care agreement" with the provider you've selected. Many GPs are reluctant sign shared care agreements with patients who have been privately diagnosed due to the fact that they lack the expertise to diagnose ADHD or prescribing the medication it requires.

In most cases you can then book an appointment with a private provider that you like. Before completing the initial assessment, the ADHD specialist will interview you and your child if they are older than 11 years old. old. adhd assessment uk free will then provide you with an exact indication of whether they think that your symptoms could be due to ADHD, or not.

Following the initial assessment If it is determined that ADHD could be the cause of your issues, they will usually send you away with some additional questionnaires to complete for your school or workplace. Then, they'll schedule a follow-up appointment with you to discuss their findings and provide a diagnosis. This appointment will be an opportunity to discuss any medication options, and if it is decided that medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and will be asked to prescribe it. Any other recommendations regarding assistance at school or at work will be discussed with your physician and any charges are discussed prior to starting. Most private providers offer assistance and advice for free between appointments through email or phone calls.

3. Get an assessment

Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can be difficult, and often it's misdiagnosed as other mental health issues. The best way to get a diagnosis of ADHD is to have an assessment by a qualified consultant psychiatrist who specializes in the condition.

You may need to wait for an assessment to be done by the NHS. If you're concerned about waiting times, talk to your GP about 'Right to choose', a new NHS initiative that grants you the ability to choose the organisation that you're referred to for your examination. This allows you to skip the NHS waiting lists and could make the entire process faster.

When you go for your ADHD assessment, the psychiatrist will take an extensive history of your symptoms and how they impact on your daily life. The psychiatrist will then conduct a formal clinical evaluation using standardised questions. It can be beneficial to learn about the traits (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment and note down your experiences, as it's normal for people's minds to become completely blank when discussing their own experience.

The examination will also include a physical examination and interviews with parents, teachers and colleagues. The psychiatrist needs precise and complete information in order to make the best diagnosis.

If the psychiatrist suspects that you or your children are suffering from ADHD and he is concerned, he will recommend a treatment for adults with ADHD. This is a follow-up appointment that could involve various tests, including psychological tests and brain imaging, to help determine the extent of the disorder.

Some people opt to go private for their ADHD assessment - this is growing in popularity as waiting lists in the NHS continue to grow. Based on where you live in the UK, there are many organizations that provide private assessments for ADHD. You can look up a list here, or talk to your GP about which one is the best one for you. Private assessments can be quicker than using the NHS. However the health insurance you have won't cover the cost.

4. Get a diagnosis

ADHD can cause serious problems in different areas of life like work or relationships, so an accurate diagnosis can help with these issues. Due to the increase in people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to deal with. The waiting times for assessments can be long. Some people choose to go private and pay for their assessment privately. This allows them to avoid NHS waiting lists to start treatment sooner.

If you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is putting an appropriate treatment plan in place. This could include treatment with medication or CBT. It is important to think about this before you have your assessment, because it will help you determine what the best course of action for you will be.

Depending on where you live in the UK, you may be able access an ADHD assessment through the NHS. If this is the case, you need to be referred to an expert psychiatrist or paediatrician, who will examine your symptoms and make a diagnosis based on the NICE 87 guidelines.

If you don't receive an appointment from your GP You can refer yourself to an ADHD assessment through an individual mental health professional. This process is typically faster than the NHS method, but it is important to check whether your doctor will sign a 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private clinician.


If you are tested for ADHD Your doctor will ask you questions about your past and present behavior. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these characteristics are affecting your life now. It is useful to familiarise yourself with the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and to write down examples of how you have experienced these traits in your own life prior to making an appointment.

If you are diagnosed with ADHD it can be a life-changing event. It can lead to a variety of treatments and offer an increased sense of self-confidence for adults who were previously not diagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and a more fulfilling life.