Why No One Cares About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They must consider your concerns seriously and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.

You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. You may experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to medication shortages.

1. Talk to your doctor

People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD will often consult their GP first. They will be attentive and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may be required to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.

Getting diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It's important to remember that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and a diagnosis can help you to understand the reasons why you or your child may have trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.

A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD based on their observations as well as discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also consider whether your or your child's issues could be more easily explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues).

We recommend that you find an alternative GP if your current one does not treat ADHD seriously. This can be difficult and it's a good idea to ask for referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.

After you've been referred for an evaluation, the process should move quickly. GPs will ask for specific details of your child's symptoms. Then, the specialist should carry out an interview, questionnaire and medical examination. They will be looking at whether the presenting symptoms are mainly inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, and how much they impact your or your child's life. They will also want to check if your or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously, so they can compare the information. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD.

2. Make an appointment with a specialist

There are many NHS specialization centers that are able to conduct ADHD tests. You will need to ask for a referral from your GP. You'll likely have to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment if you can.

Your physician will assess your symptoms in the context of current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may ask to see your school or work records or talk with your teachers, parents or day care providers about how you were as a child. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way that your brain works. adult adhd diagnosis will look at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to check for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

If you're an adult, your specialist will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been impacting you. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children, but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and still have a significant impact on your life.

You will be offered medication regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. You should be aware that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. The private clinician can assist you in this and will provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.

If you're in England, you have a legal right to select your doctor and mental health team. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with an expert. This can be a faster and more cost-effective alternative to seeing your GP.

3. Ask your GP to refer you

Speak to your GP If you think you or your child might have ADHD. While they may not be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD formally, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and you. Then, they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, there is guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed up this process.


If you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.

During the appointment the psychiatrist will review your symptoms and determine whether they fit the criteria for ADHD. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases it is necessary to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They may also need to rule out any substance or alcohol use out.

If they find that you have ADHD, they will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'Shared Care Contract'. This means that you'll be able to get ADHD medication through the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. adhd diagnosis adults prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is most efficient, but every person is different.

If you reside in England, it is important to know that you are legally entitled to choose the provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to choose or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist

In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. You can schedule an assessment of diagnostics by phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to provide details regarding your symptoms and how they affect you and your daily life. They might also request details of your medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.

Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and coping strategies. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD.

If you don't have a GP who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment You can always locate one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This may be a little more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to get a diagnosis. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.

A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have any doubts they can find more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with you. They may also look into other health conditions which can affect your ability to concentrate, such as depression and addiction disorders.

Most ADHD diagnoses are made in adults, not children. This is because the majority of symptoms occur in adults and cause more problems as you age and face more difficulties. This is especially true if you didn't get the right support as a child.

It can be challenging to get a diagnosis in the event that you're the minority group or are an individual who is gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what an individual with ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.