11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your How To Get An ADHD Assessment UK How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK

It can be difficult to obtain an ADHD assessment however it is essential to follow the correct steps. Begin by talking to your GP and explain the reason you think you have ADHD. Your GP must take your concerns seriously and request you to fill out an assessment tool.

You can also self-refer yourself to a private medical professional to receive an ADHD assessment. This route can be much more efficient than the NHS.

1. Talk with your doctor

In the UK there is an increasing awareness of ADHD. However, some prejudices can make it difficult for people to be diagnosed. Some of these biases can include the belief that ADHD is only a problem that affects boys, people with particular backgrounds, or who do not fit the stereotype.

If your GP does not recommend an examination, you need to consider finding another - especially when the NHS is offering the Right to Choose medication referral. Psychiatry-UK has a useful guide on this here.

An ADHD assessment usually involves the conduct of a series of discussions with the psychiatrist about your symptoms and also questionnaires and ratings. You might be asked to provide information about your family background and how your symptoms impact you. They will also inquire whether you have any other health problems.

2. Ask your GP to refer you

In England the UK, GPs can recommend adults with ADHD to psychiatrists using the "Right to Choose" process. This can help you access the NHS quicker and reduce waiting times.

Your GP should be able to listen to your concerns and have a a candid and open discussion with you regarding the reasons you think you might have ADHD. They should also discuss any other mental health issues that may be affecting your life.


If they decide to refer you to an NHS assessment, your GP should follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires and a review of your symptoms as well as your family history and feedback from people who know you well. A diagnosis can help get you the support you require, which includes medication and CBT. ADHD medications are stimulants that can only be prescribed by a specialist. Once you receive a private diagnosis from your doctor and they ask your GP to prescribe under an agreement known as a Shared Care Agreement.

3. Ask your GP for a referral to a Psychiatrist

ADHD can be a debilitating condition. It can be challenging to keep up with school and at work, as well as in relationships. It can also affect your health and cause various mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

The NHS offers specialized ADHD assessment through the process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right you have as a citizen of England.

You'll meet a psychiatrist at your appointment. They will ask you about your symptoms as well as your family history. It can help to bring documents such as performance evaluations or copies of your previous results of psychological tests. They may want to speak to your parents or others who are familiar with you. They will then decide whether they can determine that you have ADHD. They might suggest that you consider medications. They will also discuss ongoing care, which might include private treatment or a referral back to your GP.

4. Request your doctor to refer you to a Neurodevelopmental Service

It can be a lengthy process to receive an ADHD assessment, particularly when you live in an area where there aren't many service providers. The NHS psychiatrist will ask you questions to assess the severity of your symptoms and talk to you about your problems. They might ask you to describe your behavior or ask someone who knows you well like your spouse, sibling or your parents if you're an adult. This could give you the kind of personal insight that isn't available in questionnaires.

The specialist will then send an appointment to your GP. If your GP accepts the "Shared Care" agreement, they'll arrange for you to start treatment through the NHS. This will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. It could take a while and the NHS is under strain, and resources are limited.

5. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Psychiatrist

A professional ADHD evaluation can be a great relief. It can help you understand that your your child's symptoms are caused by an illness that affects the brain, not due to a personal flaw and reduce the feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt.

The psychiatrist will collect information from a questionnaire or interviews with your family, teachers and other individuals who know you well. They will then compile the results of their investigation and any potential diagnosis. You will then be offered an appropriate treatment plan that may include medication or CBT therapy.

If you are an adult in England, you can also decide to be referred by your GP through the Right To Choose scheme to an individual clinic. This is less expensive and quicker than waiting for an NHS referral. You will have to pay for the examination.

6. Ask your GP for an appointment with a Child Neurodevelopmental Services

Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you or your child suspects they have ADHD. adhd assessment price from a clinical perspective will allow you to access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It can also be useful to determine if medication could be beneficial.

The NHS has guidelines to help diagnose ADHD. The procedure involves an interview with psychiatrists, a study of the medical and developmental histories as well as questionnaires. Family members and others who know you well may be interviewed as well.

Children and adults must exhibit symptoms in two or more situations, such as school, home and work and the symptoms lead to impairment. The behavior cannot be explained by a mental illness such as anxiety or depression. A psychiatrist is usually the one to make the diagnosis. A private assessment involves the same process. However, the specialist will also check for comorbidities.

7. Ask your GP for the referral to a child psychiatrist

If you're considering medication, then you will require a consultation with a psychiatrist to get an assessment and a diagnosis. They will require you to complete a checklist of ADHD characteristics (symptoms) and how they impact your life. They will also determine whether your symptoms have been present since you were a kid.

Your GP is likely to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they are of the opinion that you require an ADHD assessment. Alternatively, adults in England have the legal right to select their own mental health care provider and can opt for private assessments without a GP referral.

A private ADHD assessment consists of a medical interview with a specialist psychiatrist as well as questionnaires, which include checklists for symptoms and behavior rating scales. Input from family members or anyone else who knows you well could be requested as well.

8. Ask your GP for the referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services

If you suspect that your child has ADHD or have concerns about their behaviour it is important to talk to your GP. Your GP should be concerned about your concerns and refer you to the NHS for an evaluation.

The NHS in England and Wales as well as Northern Ireland, follows NICE guidelines to diagnose ADHD. In Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network Guidelines (SIGN) are followed.

The NHS in England has a system known as 'Right To Choose,' which means that you have a legal right to select where you receive your treatment and tests. It can be difficult to find organizations that qualify. Many patients prefer to receive their examinations and treatments privately instead. If you decide to do so the latter, your physician will have to send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you'll pay for medication privately, but the NHS will be able to cover CBT therapy.

9. Ask your GP to refer you to an Child Psychiatrist

It may take some time to receive an evaluation from the NHS. The NHS mental health specialists work under immense pressure, and the resources are not abundant. It can be a challenge to navigate through the NHS system.

A private ADHD assessment is much faster. It will include a medical interview with a specialist in adult ADHD. This will include your medical history, developmental milestones as well as family history and your current symptoms. Self-report questionnaires will also be used to determine the extent of your symptoms and how they affect your everyday functioning. For additional information, you could be asked to share your thoughts from those who are familiar with you, for example, your spouse, sibling, or your friend.

It's important to note that in England, people have the legal right to select their provider of NHS assessments by following the "Right to Choose" route. This can reduce waiting times.

10. Ask your GP for a referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services

The process for getting an NHS diagnosis is relatively easy. You'll need to ask your GP to refer you to an ADHD specialist and wait for the test.

You'll be in a clinical interview with the specialist, and they'll ask you about your medical history, developmental milestones, family history, as well as the specific symptoms you're experiencing. You may be asked to fill out symptoms checklists or request feedback from people who are familiar with your condition.

If your GP isn't willing to recommend you for an assessment you should consider seeking a new GP especially when you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement with the NHS to receive medication later on in the future. Psychiatry UK offers some useful suggestions for you. You can also get in touch with private assessment providers directly.