How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you suspect that you might have ADHD. They must take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which can help you open doors to employment. There may be delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to medication shortages.
1. Talk to your GP
People who suspect that they or a child might have ADHD usually consult their GP first. They will take your concerns seriously and send you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the area you live in it could be free, or you might have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a stressful experience particularly when you don't feel that your symptoms are taken seriously. It's important to remember that around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis may help you understand the reasons why your child or yourself may have difficulty staying focused or responding to impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD by observing, 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 the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they impact your life. They will also consider whether your child's or your symptoms can be explained better by a different condition (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
If you have an GP who doesn't consider ADHD seriously, we recommend trying to get another one. It can be a challenge however, it's worth asking for referral. There are guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to assist you speak to your GP.
The assessment process must be completed swiftly after you've been referred. The doctor will request specific details of 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 look to see whether you or your child experienced these symptoms in the past, so they can compare. This is crucial because only a psychiatrist or psychologist can determine if your child has ADHD.
2. Schedule an appointment with a specialist
There are many NHS specialization centers that can conduct ADHD assessments. You will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. These can take a while to complete, so you should try to complete them before your appointment if you can.
Your specialist will be looking at your symptoms in the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your school or work records, or speak with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as an infant. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It's also connected to the way your brain works. Your specialist will be looking at the entire picture of how you are functioning and may also wish to check for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your specialist how long you have been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. However, we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood, and will continue to impact your life.
You will be offered medication, regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. It is important to note that if you are diagnosed privately, you will initially be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinicians will be able to assist you with this, and will typically provide your GP with a form for an agreement on shared care, to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England, 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, then you could make an appointment online with a specialist. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to visiting your GP.
3. Request your GP for a referral
Speak to your GP if you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. They won't be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD, but they should take your concerns seriously and ask how it's affected your family and you. They should then refer you to an expert to be assessed and treated. If they have a long waiting list, there's guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page about how to speed up this process.
If you've been directed to a psychiatrist you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to qualify for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During the appointment, a psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether 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 some instances, they might require a diagnosis such as depression or anxiety before making a decision. They might also have to rule out any alcohol or drugs that are used to treat it.
If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will send a form to your GP to obtain the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician will be able to 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 and are a resident of England, it's important to know that you have a legal right to choose the provider your GP recommends to you for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the "Right to Choose and applies to both children and adults. If you're unsure of which provider to select or if the NHS wait times seem too long you can select one of the other providers that provide NHS assessments in England. You can discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry UK website, which has a very helpful guide to help you do this.
4. Schedule an appointment with an expert
There are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or call them directly yourself. Most private providers will let you book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video. You will be asked to provide information about your symptoms, and how they affect your life and daily activities. They may also request details of your medical background. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will be able to talk you through the assessment process. They will talk about your symptoms and how they've changed with time. They will also ask you about your childhood experiences and your coping mechanisms. This information will be used to determine if you exhibit ADHD symptoms.
You can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist if you don't know a GP that will refer you to one. It's more expensive, but you will receive the diagnosis more quickly. how to diagnosis adhd will be able to refer you to the NHS for follow-up treatment, if needed.
A good psychiatrist can determine pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they are in doubt, they can find more evidence by asking questions or speaking to someone who knows you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to focus, such as depression and addiction disorders.
The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in adulthood not as children. This is because most of the symptoms only appear in adults, and they can cause more problems as you grow older and confront more problems. This is especially true if you did not receive the appropriate support as a child.
Sometimes adhd diagnosis adults can be difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly if you are from an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.