How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK: NHS, Right to Choose, and Private Options

Why Diagnosis Matters

You do not need a formal diagnosis to seek ADHD support or to start building strategies that help you. But for many people, a diagnosis provides something powerful: validation. It reframes years of struggle from "I'm broken" to "my brain works differently, and there's a name for it."

A formal diagnosis also opens doors to medication, workplace accommodations under the Equality Act, university disability support, and access to NHS services. If you are considering pursuing diagnosis, here is what to expect in the UK.

The Three Pathways

1. NHS Assessment

How it works: Start by booking an appointment with your GP. Explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. If your GP agrees that assessment is warranted, they will refer you to a specialist ADHD service or mental health team.

What to expect:

• The assessment is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist ADHD clinician
• It involves a detailed interview about your current symptoms, childhood behaviour, and functional impact
• You may be asked to provide school reports, or to have a family member or someone who knew you as a child contribute their observations
• The assessment often uses standardised rating scales alongside clinical interview
• A diagnosis requires evidence of symptoms present since childhood (before age 12), persisting for at least 6 months, and causing significant impairment in two or more areas of life

Waiting times: This is the significant challenge. As of late 2025, over 500,000 people were on NHS waiting lists for ADHD assessment in England. Average waiting times vary by region but frequently exceed 2 years, with some areas reporting waits of 3-5 years.

2. Right to Choose

How it works: The Right to Choose is an NHS policy that allows patients to choose their healthcare provider for assessment and treatment. In practice, this means you can ask your GP to refer you to a private provider — such as Psychiatry-UK — for an NHS-funded ADHD assessment.

Key points:

• The assessment is still funded by the NHS, so there is no cost to you
• Waiting times are typically shorter than standard NHS pathways (though they have increased as awareness has grown)
• Your GP must agree to make the referral — they are not legally obligated, but NHS England guidance supports the Right to Choose pathway
• If your GP is unfamiliar with this pathway, you can direct them to the NHS England guidance on patient choice
• Once diagnosed through Right to Choose, your ongoing care (including medication if prescribed) should be shared between the private provider and your GP through a shared care agreement

Important: Not all areas of the UK have the same access to Right to Choose. It primarily applies in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different systems.

3. Private Assessment

How it works: You book directly with a private psychiatrist or ADHD clinic. No GP referral is needed, though it can be helpful to have one.

What to expect:

• Assessments are typically faster — often within weeks to a few months
• Costs vary significantly, typically ranging from £500 to £1,500 for a full assessment
• The quality of assessment should be the same as NHS, but it is worth choosing a provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or equivalent
• A private diagnosis is valid and should be recognised by your GP

Medication consideration: If you are diagnosed privately and prescribed medication, you will need your GP to agree to a shared care agreement to continue prescribing on the NHS. Some GPs are willing; others are not. This is worth discussing with your GP before pursuing private assessment if medication is something you are considering.

Preparing for Your Assessment

Regardless of which pathway you choose, preparation helps:

• Write down your symptoms — both current and childhood. Be specific: not "I have trouble focusing" but "I cannot read more than a page without my mind wandering to something else"
• Gather evidence — school reports, university feedback, performance reviews. Comments like "easily distracted," "does not apply herself," or "capable but inconsistent" are common in ADHD histories
• Ask someone who knew you as a child — a parent, sibling, or family friend may be asked to provide observations about your childhood behaviour
• Be honest about impact — the assessment is looking for functional impairment. Explain how symptoms affect your work, relationships, daily life, and emotional wellbeing
• Note any coexisting conditions — anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sensory sensitivities commonly co-occur with ADHD

What Happens After Diagnosis

A diagnosis is not the end — it is the beginning. Post-diagnosis support might include:

• Medication: If appropriate, your psychiatrist may offer stimulant or non-stimulant medication. Medication is not right for everyone, but for many people it is genuinely life-changing.
• Psychoeducation: Understanding how ADHD affects your brain gives you the foundation for better self-management.
• ADHD mentoring or coaching: Practical, goal-oriented support for building strategies, systems, and routines. This is what I do.
• Therapy: CBT or other therapeutic approaches can help with the emotional impacts of ADHD, including low self-esteem, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.

What If You Cannot Access Diagnosis?

The reality is that many people in the UK face prohibitive waiting times for NHS assessment and cannot afford private options. This is a systemic failure, and it is worth acknowledging that honestly.

If you are in this position:

• You can still seek ADHD mentoring and coaching without a diagnosis
• Self-identification is valid and increasingly recognised within the neurodiversity community
• ADHD strategies will help you regardless of whether you have a formal diagnosis
• Continue to advocate for assessment through your GP — waiting lists are long but they do move

Your struggles are real whether or not a piece of paper confirms them. If you want support while you wait for assessment — or if you have decided that formal diagnosis is not for you — book a free consultation. I am here to help.