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How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

Consult your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering from ADHD. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment.

You may also be eligible to receive Access to Work support, which could help you get access to work. Due to shortages of medication, you could experience delays in getting an appointment and beginning treatment.

1. Talk to your GP

Doctors are often the first point of contact when people suspect they or their child might be suffering from ADHD. They can take your concerns seriously and recommend you to an expert for an assessment. Depending on where you live it could be free or you may have to pay a fee. You can find more information on the NHS website.

It can be difficult to accept a diagnosis of ADHD especially when your symptoms aren't able to be considered serious. It is important to keep in mind that approximately 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, and a diagnosis can help you to understand why your or your child's difficulty staying focused or acting on 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 the symptoms of ADHD have been present in your child or you and how they affect your daily life. They will also look at whether your child's or you're symptoms can be explained better by a different disorder (such as anxiety or dyslexia).


We recommend that you find an alternative GP if your current one doesn't take ADHD seriously. It can be a challenge and it's a good idea to ask for a referral. You can download and print guides from ADHD UK to help you consult your GP.

Once you have been referred for an evaluation the process should go quickly. The GP will inquire with you or your child to provide details about your symptoms. The doctor will conduct an interview, a questionnaire and a medical exam. 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 determine whether you or your child had these symptoms in the past so they can compare. adhd undiagnosed in adults is crucial as a diagnosis of ADHD is only done by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.

2. Book an appointment with a specialist

There are several NHS specialist centres which can carry out ADHD evaluations. You'll need to request your GP to recommend one of these. You will probably need to fill out some questionnaires and forms prior to your appointment. These can take a while to fill out, so try to do them in advance of your appointment if you can.

Your doctor will look at your symptoms within the context of the current guidelines for adult diagnostics. They might ask for your school or work records or talk with your parents, teachers, or day care providers about how you were as a child. ADHD is more than an issue with your behavior. It is also linked to the way your brain works. Your doctor will look at the entire picture of how you're functioning, and may want to assess you for other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

If you're an adult, you'll be asked by your doctor how long you've been suffering from ADHD symptoms. In the past it was believed that ADHD only affected children. But we now have proof that the opposite is true. ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood and continue to impact your life.

If you're an adult or a child, you'll typically be offered medication as part of your treatment plan. It's worth noting that when you're diagnosed by a private doctor and you are a private patient, you will be prescribed medication via the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will usually provide your GP with paperwork for an agreement for shared care which will allow you to pay only the NHS prescription charge.

If you're located in England, you have the legal right to select your healthcare provider and mental health team. If you feel that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, then you could make an appointment via the internet with a specialist. This is usually a faster route than going through your GP and could be an economical alternative too.

3. Have your GP to refer you

If you think you or your child may have ADHD the first step to do is to speak to your GP. They will not be able to formally diagnose you with ADHD however they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it's been affecting your family and you. Then they should refer you to an expert for assessment and treatment. If they have a lengthy waiting list, they can find guidance on our Getting an Assessment for ADHD page on how to speed this up.

After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatrist is required to be able to access medication on the NHS and to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and DSA.

During the appointment, the psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and assess whether they are in line with 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 cases they may need to rule out conditions such as anxiety or depression before making a final decision. They may also have to rule out any drug or alcohol misuse.

If they find that you suffer from ADHD and they decide to send a letter to your GP with a request to sign a 'Shared-Care Agreement'. This means that you'll be able to get ADHD medication through the NHS from your doctor. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a combination between medications and CBT is most effective. However, everyone is different.

It is important to know that if you reside 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 it applies to both adults and children. If you aren't sure which provider to choose, or if you think the NHS waiting times are too long, then you could make use of alternative providers that conduct NHS assessments in England. You can find out the names of these providers by visiting the Psychiatry UK website. It provides a guide on how to use it.

4. Schedule an appointment with a specialist

In the UK, there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for a referral to these or call them directly yourself. You can schedule a diagnostic assessment via phone or video with most private providers. You will be asked to give details about your symptoms, and how they affect you and your daily routine. They might also request details of your medical history. They will want to know whether any of your family members suffer from ADHD.

Your doctor will guide you through the assessment process. They will talk about your symptoms and how they have changed with time. They will also inquire about your childhood experiences as well as your coping strategies. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD.

You can book an appointment with a psychiatrist if you do not know a physician who will send you to a psychiatrist. This is a bit more expensive however, it will give you the fastest method to receive a diagnosis. If you are in need of a psychiatrist, they may refer you to the NHS for further treatment.

A good psychiatrist can tell pretty quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If adult diagnosis adhd have any doubts, they'll be able to find more evidence to support it by asking you questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also consider other medical conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, including addiction and depression.

The majority of people who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed in their adulthood, not children. This is because the majority of the symptoms are only visible in adults, and they may cause more problems as you age and encounter more difficulties. This is particularly true if you did not receive the proper support as a young person.

It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed when you're an ethnic minority or a gender non-conforming person. Some mental health professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual suffering from ADHD looks like and can make assumptions about your behaviour without properly assessing the signs.

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