How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK
Speak to your doctor if you think that you might have ADHD. They should consider your concerns seriously and suggest an NHS ADHD assessment.
You may also qualify to receive Access to Work support, which will help you gain access to employment. There may be delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to shortages of medications.
1. Speak with your doctor
The GP is often the first port of call for those who suspect that they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They will take your concerns seriously and refer you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free or you might have pay a small amount. You can find more information on the NHS website.
It can be difficult to accept the diagnosis of ADHD particularly when your symptoms don't appear to be taken seriously. It's important to keep in mind that about 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD. A diagnosis can help you understand the reasons why you or your child may struggle to stay focused or acting upon impulses.
A specialist will determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD based on observations or discussions that they conduct with you, your children and any other people who know you. They will also look at the length of time child's ADHD-related issues have been present and how they impact your life. They will also determine whether your child's or you're symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as dyslexia or anxiety).
We recommend that you look for a new GP in the event that your current doctor does not treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge, but it's worth asking for referral. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.
After you've been referred to an assessment, the process should move quickly. The doctor will inquire with you or your child for details about your symptoms. The specialist will then 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 check if your or your child has suffered from similar symptoms before to be able to compare the information. This is important since the diagnosis of ADHD can only be made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.
2. Book an appointment with an expert
There are several NHS specialist centres that are able to conduct ADHD assessments. You'll need to request for an appointment from your GP. You'll probably need to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior to your appointment. They may take a while to complete, so it's recommended to complete them prior to your appointment.
Your physician will assess your symptoms in the current guidelines for diagnosing adult patients. They might ask for your school or work documents or talk to your parents, teachers or day care providers about how you were as when you were a child. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain works. Your doctor will assess your general functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
If you are an adult, your physician will also want to know how long your ADHD symptoms have been affecting you. Historically there has been a belief that ADHD only affects children, but now we know better. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.
You will be given medication, whether you are an adult or not. It is important to know that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor, your medication will firstly be obtained from the NHS. The private clinician will be able to help you in this process and provide your GP paperwork for a shared-care agreement to ensure that you pay only the NHS prescription fee.
In England you are legally entitled to choose your mental health care team and the healthcare provider. So, if you decide that waiting times for an NHS assessment are too long, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist in your region. This is usually a faster method than going to your GP and could be a more cost-effective option too.
3. You can ask your GP for an appointment
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you or your child could be suffering from ADHD. Although they aren't in the position to diagnose you with ADHD in a formal manner however, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask how it has affected your family and yourself. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they are on a long waiting list, there's information on our Getting an ADHD Asssesment page about how to speed this up.
Once you have been diagnosed and accepted, you will receive an appointment to see a psychiatrist to be assessed and diagnosed. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required for access to medications on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.
During adhd diagnosed will look at your symptoms and determine whether they fit the criteria for ADHD. 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 like anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They might also need to rule any drug or alcohol use out.
If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will submit paperwork to your GP for an Shared Care Agreement. This means that your doctor 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 mix of medication and CBT is most efficient. However, every person is different.
It is important to know that if you reside in England you have the legal right to choose the service to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as 'Right to Choose which applies to adults as well as children. If you're not sure which provider to choose, 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 discover which ones by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website which provides a helpful guide about how to do this.
4. Book an assessment with a specialist
There are numerous specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you or contact the service directly. The majority of private providers will let you book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect your life and daily activities. They might also want to know details about your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.
Your psychiatrist will guide you through the assessment process. They will talk about how your symptoms have impacted your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your coping strategies. They will analyze this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the signs of ADHD.
If you don't have a physician 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 slightly more expensive however, it will give you the fastest way to get a diagnosis. If necessary, your psychiatrist can refer you to NHS for further treatment.
A good psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they do have any doubts, they will be able to search for more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or speaking to those who know you well. They may also look into other medical conditions that may hinder your ability to concentrate, such as addiction and depression.
Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is due to the fact that most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more problems as you grow older and confront more problems. This is especially true if you didn't receive the proper support as a child.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get an diagnosis, especially in the case of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived ideas about what someone with ADHD is like and make assumptions about your behavior without properly assessing the signs.