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7 Simple Tips For Refreshing Your How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

If you suspect that you may have ADHD Talk to your GP. They must take your concerns serious and refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment.

You may also qualify for Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. There may be delays in receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment due to shortages of medications.

1. Talk with your doctor

People who suspect that they or a child may have ADHD are likely to consult their GP first. They will take your concerns very seriously and recommend you to an expert to conduct an assessment. Depending on where you live, this might be free of charge, or you might have to pay a fee. More information is available on the NHS website.

Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing, especially if you don't feel like your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 millions 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 responding to impulses.

A specialist will determine if you or your child has ADHD by observing of discussions, questionnaires and discussions with you as well as with your child and others who knows you well. They will also consider how long the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or yourself and how they affect your life. They will also look at whether your child's or you're symptoms are better explained by a different illness (such as dyslexia or anxiety).

We suggest you try to find a new GP in the event that your current doctor does not treat ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. There are a variety of guides available from ADHD UK, which you can print and download to help you talk to your GP.

Once you have been referred for an assessment the process should go quickly. The doctor will ask you or your child for details about your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, 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 experienced these symptoms before to be able to compare the information. This will be important as a diagnosis of ADHD is only made by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.

2. Book an appointment with a specialist

There are several NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD assessments. You will need to ask for an appointment from your GP. You will likely need to fill in some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They may take a long time to fill out, so try to complete them prior to your appointment if you can.

Your doctor will look at your symptoms in the context of 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 your experiences as when you were a child. ADHD is more than an issue with behavior. It's also related to the way your brain functions. Your doctor will be looking at the whole picture of how you're functioning, and may want to check for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.

If you're an adult, you'll be asked by a specialist how long you have been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But I Am Psychiatry know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, and they'll continue to have a significant impact on your life.

You will be offered medication, regardless of whether you're an adult child or not. You should be aware that if you're diagnosed privately, your medication will firstly come from the NHS. Private clinics should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign a shared care agreement which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription cost.

If you're in England you have the legal right to choose your doctor and mental health team. If you believe that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment via the internet with an expert. This can be a faster and cheaper alternative to visiting your GP.

3. Ask your GP to refer you

Speak with your GP If you think you or your child may have ADHD. While they may not be in a position to identify you with ADHD formally however, they will be able to take your concerns seriously. They will ask you about how it has affected your family and yourself. Then, they'll refer you to an specialist for evaluation and treatment. If they have a long waiting list, they can find information on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page on how to speed up this process.

After you've been referred, you will be given an appointment to see psychiatrists to be assessed and diagnosed. This is because a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist is the sole way to obtain medication through the NHS and also to be eligible for things like reasonable adjustments and DSA assistance.

During the appointment, the psychiatrist will assess your symptoms to determine if they satisfy 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 have to rule out other conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a decision. They might also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.

If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will write to your GP with a form for a 'Shared Care Agreement'. This means that you will be able receive ADHD medication through the NHS from your clinician. Your GP will renew your prescriptions. The majority of people find that a combination of medications and CBT therapy is the most effective, but everyone is different.

It is vital to know that if you live in England you have the legal right to choose the healthcare provider to whom your doctor will recommend you for an NHS assessment or treatment. This is known as the 'Right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you're not sure which provider to choose or if you feel the NHS waiting times are too long, you can use one of the alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It has a guide on how to use it.

4. Book an assessment with an expert

There are numerous specialist services which can offer ADHD assessment and treatment in the UK. You can ask your GP for the referral or directly. Most private providers will allow you to book an appointment for a diagnostic examination over the phone or via video call. They will require you to provide details about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, and details of any relevant medical background. They will want to know if any of your family members suffer from ADHD.

Your psychiatrist can guide you through the process of assessment. They will talk about how your symptoms have affected your life and how they've changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have symptoms of ADHD.


You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist in case you do not have a doctor who will send you to a psychiatrist. It's more expensive, but you will get the diagnosis quicker. Your doctor can refer you to the NHS for follow up treatment, if needed.

A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If they have doubts, they'll be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to people who know you well. They will also consider other health issues that could affect your ability to focus, such as addiction and depression.

Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not children. This is because most of the symptoms manifest in adults, and can cause more issues as you grow older and encounter more challenges. This is particularly true if you did not get the right support as a child.

Sometimes it can be difficult to get a diagnosis, particularly when you belong to an ethnically diverse group or gender non-conforming. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD appears like and may make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing your symptoms.