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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They must be attentive and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.

You may also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You may experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to medication shortages.

1. Talk to your doctor

If you suspect that you or a child may have ADHD are likely to consult their doctor first. They will be very attentive to your concerns and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you may be required to pay. More details are available on the NHS website.

It isn't easy to accept a diagnosis of ADHD particularly if your symptoms don't seem to be taken seriously. It's important to remember that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand why your child or you may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses.

A specialist will assess whether you or your child has ADHD Based on their observations, discussions and questionnaires with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider how long your or child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how much they impact your life. They will also look at whether your child's or your symptoms can be explained better by a different condition (such as anxiety or dyslexia).

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


The assessment process should be completed swiftly after you have been sent to a specialist. The doctor will ask you or your child to provide specific information about your symptoms. The specialist will then conduct an interview, questionnaire, and a 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 verify if you or your child has suffered from similar symptoms before and compare information. This is important because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can determine if your child has ADHD.

2. Request an assessment with a specialist

There are several NHS specialist centres that are able to perform ADHD evaluations. You will have to request your GP to recommend one of these. You will probably need to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them before your appointment if possible.

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms in the context of current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. adhd diagnosis uk adults might ask for your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about your experiences as an infant. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't just a behavior issue it's also connected to the way your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the whole picture of how you are functioning, and may want to check for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.

If you're an adult, your physician will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. There was a long-standing belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood, and still have an impact on your life.

If you're an adult or a child, you will usually be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be provided by the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to assist you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for an agreement for shared care which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription fee.

If you're located in England, you have a legal right to choose your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you think that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you can make an appointment online with a specialist. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.

3. Ask your GP for an appointment

Speak to your GP If you think you or your child might be suffering from ADHD. Although they aren't in a position to identify you with ADHD in a formal way but they will consider your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. Then they should refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed up this process.

Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from psychiatrists is the only way to access medication through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support.

During the appointment the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and determine whether they are in line with the criteria for ADHD. 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 rule out other conditions before making a decision, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They may also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.

If they determine that you have ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination of medications and CBT is most effective. But, everyone is different.

If you live in England it is worth knowing that you have a legal right to choose which provider your GP refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to choose or if NHS wait times are too long you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which provides a helpful guide about how to do this.

4. Book an appointment with an expert

There are a variety of specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to one or contact the service directly. Most private providers will let you book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, how they impact you and your daily routine. They may also want to know details about your medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.

Your psychiatrist will talk you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed over time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms.

If you don't have a doctor who is willing to refer you for an ADHD assessment You can always locate one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to receive a diagnosis. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if required.

A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you have ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who is familiar with your situation. They will also take into account other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, such as depression or an addiction disorder.

The majority of people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood, not children. This is because the majority of symptoms only manifest in adults and cause more issues as you age and encounter more challenges. This is especially relevant if you didn't receive the proper assistance as a child.

Sometimes it's difficult to receive an diagnosis, especially when you belong to an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals may have preconceived notions about how an individual suffering from ADHD might look like, and may make assumptions about your behavior without properly analysing your symptoms.

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