Adult ADHD: A Guide To Getting A Diagnosis, The Process, And Your Options In The UK

Are you thinking about pursuing an ADHD diagnosis?

Getting an ADHD diagnosis from the NHS as an adult, can take a long time and be quite a frustraiting process. By the time your assessment date comes, you’ve probably already been through the knowing and not knowing phase, done copious amounts of research on what is ADHD and tried to piece together your story, that you’ve had since you were a child with a new perspective.

Things may have started to make sense, but at the same time, you could be still stuck in a "Do I or Don’t I?" cycle, not sure whether what you're thinking and feeling is ADHD, Executive Dysfunction or "all in your mind" or "but doesn't everyone feel like this".

The decision to get diagnosed is a very personal one and one that only you can make for yourself but I think there are 2 main reasons why people get diagnosed:

1) You would like to try medication to help with focus, impulsiity and help with impaired Executive Functions

2) You are vacilating from knowing you have ADHD to thinking you don't and this means you are in an inertia situation and are not moving forward with any of your challenges.

If you are interested in a medical diagnosis, I’m going to walk you through the process to get your diagnosis, so you have a clear idea of what to expect. 

Understanding your options can make the process less daunting, and below I break down what to expect, as well as my own experience and that of friends and colleagues who have kindly shared theirs. 

THINKING OF GOING THROUGH THE NHS TO GET YOUR ADHD DIAGNOSIS?

The very first thing you need to be aware of when going through the NHS is the wait times. NHS assessments are free, but the trade-off is the wait time. They do vary depending on the support and diagnostic process you’re offered, but currently the waiting time is roughly 2- 4+ years. Every NHS provider is different, so it's worth checking their website or asking at your Drs surgergy.

Don’t let this put you off, there is another free option - Right To Choose, with some providers only taking several months to provide an assessment (I waited 18 months in 2021). It’s so important to check what services are available locally and stay in touch with your GP to ensure they are following through on any referrals (mine was somehow missed and I waited 9 months only to find out I wasn't actually on the waiting list due to an admin error).

THE FIRST STEP IS BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR GP

For most, especially if you’re going through the NHS for an adult ADHD diagnosis, the first step is booking an appointment. Be prepared to talk about why you think you might have ADHD, and be ready to push if you need to. When I first went to the GP about about assessment referral, the locum said something like “you’re so lovely, why would you want something like that”, which completely threw and baffled me - as if it was a choice! (not an uncommon experience for women). 

What was really helpful for me was taking notes about my symptoms. Examples from childhood and different stages of my life, and the impact these had on my work/my family/ relationships, and my mental health generally. Your GP will ask some screening questions before deciding on the next steps, which is usually a referral for a full screening with a specialist ADHD triage nurse. 

My Doctor gave me this quick 1 pager self assessment to help them make a decision abut the referral.

If your doctor decides not to do a referral, it is always worth getting a second opinion from a different doctor.

BEFORE YOU GO TO YOUR APPOINTMENT, KNOW WHAT YOU’RE ENTITLED TO UNDER THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE SCHEME

Before your appointment, ensure you’re aware of the Right to Choose Scheme. The Right to Choose is ONLY available in England and offers you significantly more flexibility to choose an assessment provider (there are currently 17 listed on the ADHD UK website and I found the service to be incredibly thorhttps://www.adhd-360.comough (and I suspect quicker than the standard NHS route).

If you go down the Right To Choose route, you have to choose who you want to go with straight away. Make sure you are clear you want to use Right To Choose, as sometimes your GP won’t offer it without prompting. The two main NHS-approved private providers are Psychiatry UK or ADHD360, and for many people, this is a much faster and more accessible way to get diagnosed without having to break the bank by going private.

NOTE: There are a number of different providers that are a part of the Right to Choose Scheme, so be sure to check providers' websites for any information regarding what areas they cover, the assessment process and how you can request them - you can see the ADHDUK recommended Right to Choose providers just here.

The ADHD360 Process

ADHD360 is one of the most popular providers under the Right to Choose scheme, and for good reason. My colleague, Laurie, went with ADHD360 (you can read her full diagnosis story here), and she kindly shared her experience with the process. She went through her GP, where she was referred for a triage ADHD screening in June 2024, and after passing, she was referred to ADHD360.

The referral took four months to process, and she was able to book an Assessment 2 months later for January 2025. She was asked to complete a set of forms that covered her mental health history, family background, experiences growing up and current day-to-day challenges. She also had to take a Qb test, a focus and attention test where you have to respond to patterns on a screen for about 20 minutes. They also sent her a Blood Pressure machine so she could take her BP and pulse for medication purposes.

During the video call assessment, a psychologist reviewed her questionnaires, test results, medical and mental health history, and discussed how ADHD symptoms show up across different areas of her life while also monitoring her movement, distraction and impulse during the conversation with additional questions. By the end of the appointment, she was diagnosed with ADHD combined type (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity).

She was then offered treatment options, including medication, and is currently under ADHD360 care while going through titration to find which medication and level of medication works best for her. Once stabilised, her treatment plan will then be transferred to her GP to manage ongoing prescriptions.

The Psychiartry UK Process

I also went with Right to Choose and selected Psychiatry UK as the provider because I had heard good things about them from clients. They had a transparent waiting time and a good system that showed where I was in the process. When I was diagnosed the waiting time was about 9 months and nearer the assessment date, I was invited to fill out a series of questionnaires that spanned behaviours in childhood and as an adult. I also invited my mum to fill out a questionnaire and a close friend who was used to being around me at home and knew how chaotic my house and routienes were.

On the day of the assessment, I had a 2 hour video call with a psychiartrist who went through the questionnaires and asked for clarification or more detail and asked me a series of other questions. At the end she give me a diagnosis of ADHD Combined type and talked me through next steps of where I could get support.

I instantly had tears in my eyes when she told me the diagnosis. It was clear the validation of a medical professional was very important to me and in that moment I let go of a little of the shame and blame I had held all my life. The relief was real but so was the sadness for not understanding who I was fully for so many years. If you want to know more about my ADHD journey - read my full story here.

THINKING ABOUT GOING PRIVATE FOR YOUR DIAGNOSIS?

If you want to avoid waiting lists altogether, you can opt for a fully private option. Private assessments can be booked directly with a specialist ADHD clinic, and sometimes, you can receive your assessment within a few weeks. Costs can vary from £500 to the thousands, depending on the clinic, and you’ll need to budget for follow-up appointments and medication if you want a shared-care agreement for medication with your GP later down the line. 

This isn’t accessible for everyone, but the option is there if you’re desparate to know sooner rather than later.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Getting a diagnosis can feel like a huge mountain to climb, especially with long wait times and so many forms to fill in, but whether you choose the NHS, Right to Choose or to go wtih a Private option, the most important thing is taking that first step and asking for help. If you think you might have ADHD and are sure you want a diagnosis, don't wait - reach out to your GP soon.

It's important to say that you do not need a formal diagnosis to know you have ADHD. Self-identification is valid, and for many, it's enough to finally understand their own brain to allow them to education themselves on their needs and find the right tailored support.

That said, right now, a clinical diagnosis can open doors to medication, workplace adjustments and more support options such as the Government's Access To Work scheme (and a formal diagnosis isn't always needed for this either). With NHS wait times growing at the rate they are, it's understandable if you decide not to pursue a formal diagnosis straight away, and there are other options out there like ADHD Coaching, free ADHD Mental Health Support from Maximus and there are tonnes of paid resources available too.

Ideally, in future where everyone gets the support they need, regardless of a formal diagnosis, and where healthcase systems and workplaces accommodate neurodivergent brains needs as standard and neuroinclusivity is at the heart of every DEI strategy. We're not there yet, but change is happening, and thanks to the NHS: Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce: Part 1 released in June 2025, hopefully, we'll see more positive change in the next few years. Wherever you are on your Neurodivergent journey, there is no wrong path, you are not alone, and whatever you choose is valid.

If you'd like to read more about how you can support yourself and put positive structures in place, check out my resources here or sign up for my newsletter for the latest ADHD and career resources straight to your inbox (just scroll to the bottom of the homepage).

And if you want to start by improving your emotional regulation today, check out my blog post here and download my free printable morning routine journal.

Hope this information helps you to make the right choice for you.

Warmest wishes

Nat x

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ABOUT ADHD CAREER COACH NAT HARRISON

ADHD Career Coach Nat Harrison

Hi, I am Nat. I help people become more fulfilled and happy in their working lives by aligning their careers or businesses with their skills, values, and interests and helping them overcome barriers to making the desired change.

I am also a certified Specialist- ADHD coach. I work with neurodivergent people who want to harness their brains for the better and improve their relationships with themselves.

Book a FREE consultation below if you would benefit from some coaching on your work life.

Book Your Consultation Here

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