How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the wait time is extremely long, you should consider asking your GP to make use of the law that grants patients the right to choose their healthcare providers - known as Right to Choose. A psychiatrist will assess your condition through a structured clinical interview. They will concentrate on your different areas of life that your symptoms are affecting on. They might request your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a Psychiatrist Psychologists specialize in mental health, and they may prescribe medication to treat ADHD. They can also provide therapy for talking. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. Contact your insurance provider if you're not sure if a psychiatrist is included in your network. You can also ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance, you may opt to use an independent service. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD appears like. This can be problematic when trying to establish a diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary training or experience to diagnose adult ADHD. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD expert who can accurately diagnose your symptoms. It is crucial to establish an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you have identified one. This is particularly important if you are planning to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you feel uncomfortable with the one you currently have. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor however, you should not settle for less. Your doctor may recommend you to an adult specialist with ADHD for a clinical evaluation. The process usually involves a questionnaire, and a discussion between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in different social situations. The psychologist will then review your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you have the option of choosing which provider you will receive your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers are able to offer online assessments for adults which can cut down wait times significantly. Ask your doctor If you have an GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be able to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an interview in a clinic with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms and medical history as well as family history of mental health. It is also likely that neuropsychological tests will be performed as well as the clinical interview. This will provide a better picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any comorbidities that could be affecting your ADHD. Your GP can also assist by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download an example from ADHD UK to print off and present to your GP. If they refuse to do this for any reason, it could be worthwhile to change your GP, especially when you intend to to apply for a Shared Care Agreement for medication later on. If your GP will agree to refer you to a specialist, then you will have to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. It is important to be prepared for this, as the clinical interview will likely be focused on how your ADHD symptoms are impacting your life today. You will be asked for examples and to discuss how you've been performing in various aspects of your life. After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include suggestions for treatment that is ongoing. If you are a university student your doctor might suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP to prescribe medication for you. There are many professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or access treatment. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It can be a challenge to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition. Right to pick If you live in England and your GP will refer you to an ADHD assessment you have a legal right to choose the provider you wish to refer you to. This is called the "Right to Choose". The only requirement for the provider to be able provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is recommended that you find out the waiting time of the service provider prior to calling them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more details. You should be aware that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore, are not experts in diagnosing mental disorders such as adult ADHD. So, you might have convince your GP that you should be referred by a specialist for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to convince your GP that you should be referred to a specialist, you can print and download an email from the charity ADHD UK to give to your GP. This includes quotes from NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP is not able to 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 evaluation. If they are too long, you can exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP. If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment you will be required to complete a questionnaire and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or nurses who specialize in ADHD. The interview will center on your past experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. It is recommended to prepare for this interview ahead of time and have someone from your family present to assistance. Ask your GP about medication options. They might not wish 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 behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Private Assessment If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you, or you are concerned that your GP may have preconceived ideas about what ADHD appears to be (this is a growing issue particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed female at birth) You can self-refer to a private evaluation. Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have an online guide with templates you can give to a GP. They also have an extensive list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment will usually be a little longer than a regular psychotherapy visit. It will also include an organized interview. This will include a variety of aspects of your life and how your afflictions affect your present functioning. They will also review your symptoms in different contexts and situations. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis. They will tell if you believe that you are in line with the ADHD criteria or if another condition is more likely to explain your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will tell you the reasons why and you can request them to refer you back. After receiving a diagnosis, you can decide whether you want to go down the route of medication or not. https://www.adhddiagnosis.top/ will have to discuss this with your GP, you may be able to get a shared-care agreement for medications through your GP and this could save you money in the end. Do not rely on getting an ADHD diagnosis from the internet or other self-diagnosis tool as they can be a false diagnosis. It is important that you obtain a professional, impartial assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Based on your situation and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other support available that can ease your symptoms. For instance, if are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. They can give you suggestions on how to make reasonable adjustments as well as the Disabled Student's allowance.