How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
If you suspect ADHD Talk to your GP. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.
You could also be eligible for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to work. You could experience delays in receiving a diagnosis or beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Talk to your GP
The GP is often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child may have ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and send you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in, it may be free or you may be required to pay. Find more details on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience, especially when you don't feel that your symptoms are being treated seriously. It is important to remember that about 2.6 millions people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why your child or you might have trouble staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine whether you or your child suffers from ADHD through observations as well as discussions and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and any other people who know you. They will also look at how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how they impact your life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms could be better explained by another condition (such as dyslexia, autism anxiety, or behavior issues).
If you have a GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get an alternative one. It isn't easy to ask for a referral but it's worth it. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you talk to your GP.
The process of assessment should be completed quickly once you've been referred. Doctors will want to know the details about your child's symptoms, and 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 should also determine if you or your child has suffered from these symptoms previously to be able to examine the data. This is crucial as a diagnosis of ADHD is only done by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Make an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centers that can conduct ADHD assessments. You will need to ask for an appointment with your GP. You'll likely need to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. They can take some time to complete, so it's best to do them before your appointment.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your school or work documents or talk to your teachers, parents or day care providers about your experiences as a child. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It's also related to the way that your brain functions. Your specialist will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also wish to assess you for other mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor how long you've been experiencing ADHD symptoms. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD is only a problem for children, but now we are aware. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll remain a significant influence 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 are diagnosed privately then you'll initially receive your medication on the NHS. The private doctor can assist you in this and will provide your GP documentation for a shared-care arrangement so that you only pay the NHS prescription cost.
In England the UK, you are legally entitled to choose your mental health provider and the healthcare provider. If you decide that waiting for an NHS assessment are too long, you can make an appointment with a specialist in your region. This could be a quicker and cheaper alternative to going through your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
If you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD the first thing to do is to speak to your GP. They won't be able to officially diagnose you with ADHD however they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's affected you and your family. They will then refer you to a specialist for assessment and treatment. If Read the Full Report have a long waiting list, there is guidance on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page about how to speed this up.
After you have been recommended to a psychiatrist, you will receive an appointment for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medications on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist will examine your symptoms to determine if they meet the ADHD criteria. They will then make a decision about which of the three subtypes you have (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined). In some cases they may need to exclude other conditions prior to making their decision, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. They might also need to exclude any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will send paperwork to your GP to sign the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you can access ADHD medication on the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medication and CBT is the most efficient. However, everyone is different.
If you live in England, it is worth knowing that you are legally entitled to choose the healthcare provider that your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is called 'Right to Choose'and applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure the best choice for you, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could choose one of the alternative providers that offer NHS assessments in England. You can determine which ones to choose by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Make an appointment with an expert
In the UK there are many specialists who can offer ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for an appointment with these services, or contact them directly. Most private healthcare providers will let you book an assessment of diagnostics over the phone or via video. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily life. They might also request details about your medical background. They will also ask if any of your family members have ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to guide you through the process of assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and coping strategies. This information will be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms.
You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if do not know a physician who will send you to a psychiatrist. This is a bit more expensive, but it will give you the fastest way to be diagnosed. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment if required.
A qualified psychiatrist can tell fairly quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate like addiction disorders or depression.
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood not as children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more problems as you age and confront more problems. This is especially true if you did not receive the proper assistance as in your early years.
Sometimes it is difficult to get an diagnosis, especially when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing your symptoms.