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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. They should take your concerns very serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment. 1. Talk to your GP The GP is often the first point of contact for those who suspect that they or their child could have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in it could be free or you could have to pay. More details are available on the NHS website. It can be difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to know that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and the diagnosis can help to understand why your or your child may have difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses. A specialist will determine whether you or your child is suffering from ADHD by observing as well as 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 they impact your daily life. They will also look at whether your or your child's issues could be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues). If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get an alternative one. It isn't easy to ask for a referral, but it is worth it. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you talk to your GP. The assessment process should be completed quickly once you've been referred. The doctor will request details about your child's symptoms. Then, the specialist will conduct 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 suffered from these issues previously so that they can compare. This will be important as the diagnosis of ADHD is only confirmed by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist. 2. Schedule an appointment with an expert There are a number of NHS specialist centers which can carry out ADHD tests. You'll need to ask for a referral from your GP. You'll probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. These can take a while to complete so try and do them in advance of your appointment if you can. Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your employment or school records, or talk with your teachers, parents or daycare providers about your childhood. It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior it's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will examine your overall performance and may decide to examine other mental health issues like anxiety or depression. If you're an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life. No matter if you're an adult or child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. The private clinician is likely to be able assist you with this, and usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement for shared care so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge. If you're in England, you are legally entitled to choose your health care provider and mental health team. If you think that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could book an online appointment with an expert. This could be a quicker and less expensive alternative to going through your GP. 3. Ask your GP for an appointment If you suspect you or your child might have ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. They will not be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD but they should be attentive to your concerns and ask how it has affected you and your family. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page, Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have suggestions on how to speed up the process in case they have long waiting lists. If you've been referred to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. adhd diagnosis adults uk is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to access medications through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance. During the appointment, a psychiatrist will examine 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 instances, they might need to rule out conditions like anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also need to rule out any drug or alcohol use out. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to write to your GP with a form to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medications through the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people are able to determine that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is the most efficient, however everyone is different. If you reside in England it is worth knowing that you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider that your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose', and it applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure of which provider to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which offers a great guide on how to do this. 4. Book an appointment with a specialist There are a variety of specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or call them directly. Most private healthcare providers will allow you to book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. They will ask you to provide information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, as well as information about any relevant medical history. They will also ask whether any family members suffer from ADHD. Your doctor will talk you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood experiences and strategies for dealing with stress. This information will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. If you don't have a GP who will recommend you for an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with a private psychiatrist. It's more expensive, however you will receive the diagnosis quicker. Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment if needed. A good psychiatrist can tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to find more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, such as depression and addiction disorders. The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more problems as you get older and face more challenges. This is particularly relevant if you didn't receive the right support as a child. Sometimes it's difficult to get an diagnosis, especially in the case of an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals might have preconceived notions of what an individual with ADHD might appear like, and they may make assumptions about your behavior, without assessing you symptoms.