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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may have ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. You could be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which could allow you to gain employment. Due to medication shortages, you could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis and starting treatment. 1. Speak with your doctor Doctors are often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They can be very attentive to your concerns and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live the assessment could be free or you may be required to pay a fee. Find more details on the NHS website. It isn't easy to accept the diagnosis of ADHD, especially when your symptoms aren't able to be taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or you may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses. A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD based on observations, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children, and anyone else who knows you. They will also consider how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your daily life. They will also consider whether your or your child's issues could be more accurately explained by a different condition (such as autism, dyslexia, anxiety or behaviour issues). We suggest you try to find a new GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. I Am Psychiatry can be difficult however, it's worth asking for an appointment with. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can download and print to help you speak to your GP. Once you have been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The doctor will inquire with you or your child to provide 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 should also check if your or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously to be able to examine the data. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD. 2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist There are a number of NHS specialist centers that are able to carry out ADHD assessments. You'll need to request for an appointment with your GP. You'll probably need to fill out forms and questionnaires before your appointment. These can take a while to complete so try and do them in advance of your appointment if possible. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms within the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your employment or school records, or speak with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. It's important to remember that ADHD is not only a problem with behavior it's also connected to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. If you're an adult, you will be asked by a specialist how long you have been experiencing ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But now we know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and remain a part of your life. You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult child or not. It's worth noting that in the event that you're diagnosed by a private doctor then you'll initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you in this and will provide your GP paperwork to sign a shared-care agreement, so that you only pay the NHS prescription fee. In England, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment online with a specialist. This is a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to seeing your GP. 3. Have your GP to refer you to a If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. While they may not be in a position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal way, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, there's advice on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed up this process. After you've been diagnosed to a psychiatrist, you will be offered an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a medical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the only way to access medication through the NHS and to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA support. During the appointment, the psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine if you 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 some instances, they might need to rule out conditions such as depression or anxiety before making a final decision. They might also need to rule out any substance or alcohol use out. If they determine that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP for the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your GP can prescribe you ADHD medications on the NHS. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix of medication and CBT is most efficient. However, every person is different. If you live in England it is important to know that you have a legal right to choose the healthcare provider that your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the “Right to Choose,' and it applies to both children and adults. If you're not sure which one to pick or if NHS wait times seem excessive it is possible to choose one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can learn more about which ones they are by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how you can do it. 4. Book an assessment with an expert There are many specialization services that provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or call them directly. Most private healthcare providers allow you to schedule a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect your life and daily activities. They might also ask for information about your medical history. They will also ask whether any of your family members have ADHD. Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessing. They will discuss how your issues have affected your life and how they've changed over time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms. If you don't have a physician who will send you to an ADHD assessment You can always locate one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive however it will provide you the fastest method to get a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist will be able to refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if required. A good psychiatrist will be able to tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to look for more evidence to support it by asking questions or talking to those who know you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may affect your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders. Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood, not children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only manifest in adults and cause more problems as you age and encounter more challenges. This is especially the case if you did not receive the right support when you were an infant. Sometimes it can be difficult to receive a diagnosis, particularly in the case of an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without fully assessing the severity of your symptoms.