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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to use the law that grants patients rights to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose.

A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to evaluate your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They will request evidence, including childhood histories and school reports are often requested.

Find a psychiatrist

They can prescribe medications for ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talk. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are included in your network. You could also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or search for local services online. If you do not have insurance, you can opt to use an individual service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD appears like. This can make it difficult to recognize the person with ADHD. In addition, many medical professionals aren't trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to work hard to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to properly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.

It is crucial to establish a relationship of trust with your psychiatrist after you have found one. This is especially important in the event that you plan on taking medication for ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, consider searching for another one. It is essential to be comfortable with your doctor however, you should not settle for anything less.

Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist in ADHD for a clinical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange between you and the psychologist about your ADHD symptoms in various social situations. The psychologist will analyze your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England You can select the location where you will get your NHS assessments. The NHS offers a list of providers, and you can utilize your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers provide online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.

Ask your GP

If you have an GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this will require a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurses) that will include a questionnaire regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family's mental health background. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted in conjunction with the interview. This will help give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could influence your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can assist you by writing a letter stating that he wants to refer you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print out the template and present it to your GP. If they don't want to accept this request for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP particularly when you intend to go on to apply for an Shared Care Agreement for medication later on.

If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few weeks before meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely concentrate on how your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to explain how you have been functioning in different areas of your life.

After you've been diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These may include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and the report will contain recommendations for continuing treatment. 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 many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors as well as nurses and psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults aren't treated, and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a professional who will listen and understand the issue.

Right to choose

If how to get an adult adhd diagnosis live in England and your GP will refer you for an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right choose which provider to be referred to. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement for the provider to be able to offer the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the provider of your choice before you contact them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more information.

It is worth noting that general practitioners and are not experts in diagnosing mental health issues, including adult ADHD. You may have convince your GP to send you to a specialist in order to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to convince your GP that they should refer you to a specialist, you could print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a doctor cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.

Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can use your Right to Choice and select a different provider.

When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a survey and to attend an interview. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will concentrate on your history with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring a family member present for support.

It is also advisable to consult your GP to look into the options for medication for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, but they should be reminded there are medications that are not stimulant that can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. These include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and the atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.

Private Assessment

If you're not content waiting for the NHS to refer you or you are worried that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD looks like (this is a rising problem especially for women, people of color and those who were deemed to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the primary provider. They have an online guide with templates you can provide to the GP. On their website, they offer a list of providers. Most of them offer both in-person and online diagnosis.

A private evaluation will typically be a little longer than an ordinary psychotherapy visit. It will also include a structured interview. The interview will cover various aspects of your life and how your symptoms impact your current functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often helpful to have a family member or acquaintance to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and notify you of the diagnosis.

They will tell if you believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different diagnosis best describes your symptoms (traits). If they don't believe you meet the criteria they will give reasons and ask for an additional referral.


After you have received an assessment, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You'll have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to sign a shared care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.

You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool since they can be misleading. You should get a professional and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you're willing to use medication, there may be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if you are a student, you may obtain an assessment from your school. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and the Disabled Students' Allowance.

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