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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their provider called Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will assess you through a structured interview and focus on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might request your childhood records and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide talk therapy. If you have health insurance the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance company to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can choose a private provider. Be sure to ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has experience with ADHD patients.


Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and do not have a lot of hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who can accurately determine the symptoms.

Once you find a psychiatrist, it is important to establish a trusting relationship with them. This is especially important when you are planning to start taking medication for ADHD. Consider finding a new psychiatrist if you feel uncomfortable with your current one. It is crucial to be comfortable with your doctor, but you shouldn't settle for anything less.

Your GP may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This typically includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in various social settings. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk will go over your results to determine if you fit the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You can select which location to 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 provide online assessments for adults, which could significantly reduce wait times.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to recommend you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will require an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health history. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the clinical interview. This will help to provide more information about your strengths, weaknesses, and other conditions that could influence your ADHD.

Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they are unable to do this in any way, it could be worth switching your GP in particular if you want to to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP is willing to make the referral, there will be a brief wait before you get to meet with the specialist. It is crucial to prepare yourself for this, as the interview will be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you've performed in various areas of your life.

Following a formal diagnosis your doctor will offer you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions and prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given a report with recommendations for ongoing care. If you are a student then 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 including GPs, psychologists and nurses who aren't knowledgeable about ADHD. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a specialist who will listen and understand your situation.

Right to pick

If you reside in England and your GP consents to refer you for an ADHD assessment you have the legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only requirement for a provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you also know the waiting times for the service provider prior to calling them. You can find out more information by contact the provider directly, or asking your GP.

It is important to note that GPs are general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you need to be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and send to your GP. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a specialist can make the diagnosis.

Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP.

When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are typically conducted by a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. The interview will focus on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also focus on your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for the interview in advance and have an immediate family member to provide support.

Ask your GP about options for medications. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine. Additionally, you could also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you are not happy waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing problem particularly for women, those of color, and those who are assigned female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private assessment. The main provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK They have a helpful guide to doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can hand to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. The majority of them provide both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than a typical psychotherapy visit. It will also include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your current performance. They will also review your symptoms in various situations and settings. It is usually helpful to have a family or friend member give you feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue a diagnosis.

They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if another diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you're a fit for the criteria, they will explain why and you may ask for an additional referral.

Once you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to pursue the path of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this can save you money in the end.

Do not be relying on an ADHD diagnosis on the internet or self-diagnosis software as they could be a false diagnosis. It is essential to receive a professional, objective evaluation to ensure you get the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and if you are willing to take medication, other support may be available. For instance, if you are an undergraduate, you could receive an assessment from your university. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments, and Disabled Student's Allowance.

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