How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK

You can be referred for the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting a long time you can ask your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their healthcare provider.

A psychiatrist will evaluate you through a structured interview, and will focus on the different areas of life that your symptoms impact on. They may ask for your childhood records and school reports.

Find a Psychiatrist

They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visit of your psychiatrist will be covered. Contact your insurer if you're uncertain if a psychiatrist's services are covered by your insurance. You could also ask your GP to recommend you to a psychiatrist specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance you may choose to go through a private provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.

Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears to be. This makes it difficult to diagnose someone with ADHD. Additionally, a lot of medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll need to conduct some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine the symptoms.

It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you have found one. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. Consider getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with your current one. It is essential to feel comfortable with your physician but you should not settle for less.

Your GP may recommend you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. This typically involves a questionnaire and an exchange with the psychologist about how your ADHD symptoms impact your life in various social situations. The psychologist will review your results to determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.

In England, you can choose where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your Right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers are able to offer adult assessments online which can cut down wait times significantly.

Ask your GP

If you have a GP who has good understanding of ADHD they may be able to refer you to an NHS diagnosis. In the UK it will require an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not nurse), which will include questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, medical history, and the mental health history of your family. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be carried out as well as the clinical interview. This is to help provide more clarity about your strengths and weaknesses, which includes the possibility of comorbidities that could influence your ADHD symptoms.

Your GP can help you by writing a note stating that he's referring you for an assessment under Right to Choose. Print an example and present it to your GP. If they refuse for any reason, it may be worth changing your GP. This is particularly true if you plan to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.

If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll need to wait a few days before meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial because it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life today. You will be asked to provide examples and to explain how you've been performing in different areas of your life.

After you've been officially diagnosed, your physician will provide you with advice on the best treatment options. These could include talking therapy, behavioural interventions or prescription medications. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and given an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student, it is likely that your specialist will recommend a shared care arrangement with your GP to prescribe medication for you.

There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have a lot of knowledge about ADHD. This includes GPs as well as nurses and psychologists. This can make the process of obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You may be told you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, that adults don't get treated and that children get rid of it. It may take a lot of persistence to find a specialist who is willing to listen and comprehend the condition.

Right to Pick

If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right select the provider you want to be referred to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only requirement for the provider to be able to provide the service is that they have an NHS Standard Contract (with your CCG or NHS England). It is also recommended that you learn about the waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can do this by contacting them directly or asking your GP for more information.


It is important to know that GPs only practice as general practitioners and therefore are not experts at diagnosing mental disorders like adult ADHD. You may need convince your GP to send you to a specialist to get an ADHD assessment. If you're not able 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 GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.

You should also inquire with your GP about their current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can make use of your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.

When you go for your ADHD assessment you will be asked to complete a survey and be invited to an interview. Interviews are usually conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it has affected your life. It will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for the interview in advance and bring a family member present for support.

Ask adult adhd diagnosis uk about the options for medication. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they must be reminded that there are medications that are not stimulant that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. These include methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine. In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior 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 worried that your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD looks like (this is a growing issue especially for women, people of color, and those who are assigned to be female at birth) If you are concerned about this, then self-refer for a private assessment. The main provider of these is Psychiatry-UK They offer a useful guide for doing this on their website that includes template forms that you can give to your GP. They also have a list of providers on their website and the majority of them offer online diagnosis as well as in-person.

A private assessment is likely to be slightly longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include a structured interview. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also consider your symptoms in various settings and situations, it is often helpful when you have someone in your family or a close friend to provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then consider their findings and provide you with the diagnosis.

They will tell them if they believe you meet the criteria for ADHD or if they believe another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). If they do not believe you meet the criteria they will tell you why and you may request a second referral.

After receiving an diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. It is necessary to have a discussion with your GP. You might be able to obtain a shared-care agreement for medications via your GP. This could save you money over time.

It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet to get an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to take medication, other treatment options may be available. For instance, if you are a student, you may get an assessment from your school. They will be able to advise you on reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students allowance.