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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK If you suspect that you may have ADHD, talk to your GP. They must be attentive and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment. You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to work. There may be delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications. 1. Talk to your GP If you suspect that you or a child might suffer from ADHD are likely to seek out their doctor first. They will be attentive and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you could have to pay. Find more details on the NHS website. Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, and having a diagnosis can help to understand the reasons why you or your child's difficulty staying focused or acting on impulses. A specialist will assess whether you or your child suffers from ADHD by observing of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you, your child and anyone who knows you well. They will also consider how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms might be better explained by another condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues). If you have a GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we suggest seeking a different one. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment but it's worth it. You can download and print out guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP. Once you have been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. The GP will ask you or your child for specific information about your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, a 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 experienced these symptoms before to be able to compare information. This is important since a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist. 2. Schedule an appointment with an expert There are many NHS specialization centers which can perform ADHD evaluations. You'll need to request for a referral from your GP. You'll probably have to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's recommended to fill them out prior to your appointment. Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your work or school records, or speak with your teachers, parents or day care providers about the way you behaved as an infant. It's important to remember that ADHD isn't only a problem with behavior It's also related to the way your brain works. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues like anxiety or depression. If you're an adult, your physician will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, there was a belief that ADHD only affects children but nowadays, we know more. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will still have an impact on your life. You will be given medication, regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It's worth noting that if you're diagnosed by a private doctor then you'll initially receive your medication on the NHS. how to diagnose adhd I Am Psychiatry will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care agreement so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee. In England the UK, you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you feel that the wait time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP, and can be cheaper too. 3. Ask your GP to refer you Talk to your GP If you think you or your child may have ADHD. They may not be able identify you as having ADHD but they should be attentive to your concerns and inquire about how it has been affecting your family and you. They must then refer you an expert for assessment and treatment. On our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment, we provide advice on how to speed up the process in case they have long waiting lists. Once you've been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole method to get access to medications through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance. During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine if they are in line with the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In certain cases, they might need to rule out conditions like anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also need to exclude any drug or alcohol misuse. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that your clinician will be able to prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT therapy is most effective, but everyone is different. It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your GP will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you aren't sure the best choice for you, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, you can make use of alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can find out which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which has a very helpful guide to help you do this. 4. Book an appointment with an expert There are numerous specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can request your GP for an appointment with these services or call them directly. The majority of private providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video. They will require you to provide some information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, and details of any relevant medical history. They will also want to know whether any family members have ADHD. Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD. If you don't have a doctor who is willing to send you to an ADHD assessment, you can always find one by scheduling an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed. A competent psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, such as depression and addiction disorders. Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and they can cause more problems as you grow older and encounter more challenges. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child. Sometimes it's difficult to get an diagnosis, especially when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions of what people with ADHD might look like, and could make assumptions about your behavior, without analysing your symptoms.