15 Reasons To Love How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

If you suspect ADHD If you suspect that you have ADHD, speak to your GP. They should consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.


You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.

1. Talk to your GP

If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD are likely to consult their GP first. They can take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free or you may have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.

It can be difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms aren't able to be considered serious. It's important to know that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you or your child might have difficulties staying focused or responding to impulses.

A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD based on observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who is familiar with you. They will also look at how long the issues related to ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your your child's issues could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).

We suggest you look for a new GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment however it's well worth it. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP.

The process of assessment should be completed in a short time after you've been sent to a specialist. Doctors will want to know the details of your or your child's symptoms, and 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 determine if you or your child have had these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.

2. diagnosing adhd with an expert

There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD tests. You will have to consult your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment.

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They may ask to see your work or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or day care providers about the way you behaved as when you were a child. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behaviour problem it's also connected to the way your brain works. Your doctor will assess your overall performance and may decide to look into other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But now we have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.

You will be offered medication whether you are an adult child or not. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately the medication will initially come from the NHS. The private clinician will be able to assist you in this process and provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.

If you're in England, you are legally entitled to select your health care provider and mental health team. If you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment on the internet with an expert in your area. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.

3. Request your GP for an appointment

Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child could have ADHD. They may not be able officially diagnose you with ADHD however they must take your concerns seriously and inquire about how it has been affecting your family and you. They will then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to accelerate the process if they have long waiting lists.

After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.

During the appointment, a psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine if you satisfy the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making their choice, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol abuse out.

If they determine that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people prefer a mix of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, but every person is different.

It is important to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the provider to whom your GP will refer you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you're not sure which one to pick or if NHS wait times seem too long it is possible to choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out who they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to do it.

4. Book an assessment with a specialist

There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly yourself. The majority of private providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, and specific details about any medical background. They will be looking to find out whether any of your family members have ADHD.

Your psychiatrist will be able to guide about the assessment process. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.

If you don't have a GP who is willing to recommend you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. It is more expensive but you will get the diagnosis quicker. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if required.

A good psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can gather more evidence by asking questions or talking to someone who is familiar with you. They'll also take into consideration other health conditions which can hinder your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.

Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood and not as children. This is because most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they can cause more issues as you get older and encounter more difficulties. This is especially the case if you did not receive the right assistance as in your early years.

It can be challenging to get a diagnosis if you're a member of the minority group or are a gender non-conforming individual. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions about how an individual suffering from ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior, without taking note of your symptoms.