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From Around The Web 20 Amazing Infographics About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
How to Get Diagnosed With ADHD in the UK

If you suspect you have ADHD, talk to your GP. They will consider your concerns seriously and recommend an NHS ADHD assessment.

You could be eligible to be eligible for Access to Work, which can open the door to employment. You could experience delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment due to a shortage of medication.

1. Talk with your doctor

People who suspect that they or a child might suffer from ADHD will often seek out their doctor first. They will be attentive and recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Depending on the location you live in it could be free or you may have to pay. More information is available on the NHS website.

Being diagnosed with ADHD can be distressing particularly in the event that you don't feel your symptoms are taken seriously. It is important to keep in mind that about 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, discussions, and questionnaires that they conduct with you, your children and anyone else who knows you. They will also look at how long your the child's issues with ADHD have been present and how much they impact your daily life. They will also consider whether your your child's symptoms could be better explained by another condition (such as autism, dyslexia anxiety, or other behaviour issues).


If you have an GP who doesn't take ADHD seriously, we suggest trying to get an alternative one. It isn't easy to ask for an appointment but it's worth it. You can download and print the guides from ADHD UK to help you speak to your GP.

The assessment process should be completed quickly once you have been sent to a specialist. The doctor 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 want to determine if you or your child has experienced these symptoms previously and compare information. This is crucial because only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD.

2. Book an appointment with an expert

There are several NHS specialist centers that are able to conduct ADHD tests. You will need to request your GP to refer you to one of these. You'll probably have to fill out some forms and questionnaires prior your appointment. They can take a long time to complete so try and complete them prior to your appointment, if you are able to.

Your specialist will examine your symptoms in the current diagnostic guidelines for adult patients. They may request your employment or school records, or talk with your parents, teachers or daycare providers about your childhood. ADHD is more than just an issue with your behavior. It is also linked to the way in which your brain functions. Your doctor will examine your general functioning and may also want to look into other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.

If you're an adult, your specialist will also be interested in knowing how long your ADHD symptoms have been in your life. In the past, it was believed that ADHD was only a problem for children. But we now know otherwise. ADHD symptoms can last well into adulthood, and they'll remain a significant influence on your life.

You will be offered medication, whether you are an adult or not. It is important to note that if you are diagnosed privately, you will initially receive your medication on the NHS. Private clinicians should be able to help you with this, and will typically provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign an agreement for shared care so that you pay only the NHS prescription charge.

In England you have the legal right to choose your mental health team and the healthcare provider. If you feel that the waiting time for an NHS assessment is too long, you can book an online appointment with a specialist. This can be a faster and cheaper alternative to going through your GP.

3. Request your GP for a referral

If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD the first step to do is talk to your GP. They may not be able officially diagnose you with ADHD however they must take your concerns seriously and ask how it has affected you and your family. They will then refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. On our page Getting an ADHD Assessment, we have tips on how to speed up the process in case they have a lengthy waiting list.

After you have been referred to a psychiatrist, you will be scheduled for assessment and diagnosis. A diagnosis from a psychiatric professional is required 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 cases they may need to determine if they have any other medical conditions before making a decision, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. They might also need to rule out any substance or alcohol addiction out.

If they decide that you have ADHD they will send a form to your GP for the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. This means that your clinician can prescribe you ADHD medication on the NHS. Your GP will then renew your prescriptions. Most people find that a mix between medication and CBT is the most effective. However, everyone is different.

If you reside in England it is important to know that you have a legal right to choose the provider your doctor refers you to for an NHS assessment and treatment. This is known as the right to Choose and applies to both adults and children. If you're unsure which provider to choose or if 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 you can use by visiting the Psychiatry-UK website, which offers a great guide about how to do this.

4. Book an assessment with an expert

In the UK there are many specialist services that can provide ADHD assessment and treatment. You can ask your GP for the referral or directly yourself. Most private providers will allow you to book a diagnostic assessment over the phone or via video call. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms, and how they impact you and your daily life. They may also ask for information 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 process of assessment. They will discuss how your symptoms have affected your life and how they have changed over time. You will be asked about your childhood and your strategies for dealing with stress. They will utilize this information to determine whether or not you have the symptoms of ADHD.

If you don't have a physician who will send you to an ADHD assessment You can always get one on your own by making an appointment with an individual psychiatrist. This is slightly more expensive, but it will give you the fastest means to receive a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist can refer you to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment if required.

A competent psychiatrist will be able to tell very quickly if you suffer from ADHD. If adhd diagnosis in adult have doubts, they will be able to find more corroborative evidence by asking you questions or talking to those who know you well. They will also take into account other health conditions that may affect your ability to concentrate, such as depression or an addiction disorder.

Most ADHD diagnoses are made by adults, not in children. This is due to the fact that the majority of symptoms only occur in adults and cause more issues as you get older and face more difficulties. This is particularly relevant if you didn't receive the right assistance as an infant.

It can be difficult to determine if you're diagnosed when you're a 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 behavior without fully assessing the severity of the signs.

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