How to Get an Adult ADHD Assessment and Tips to Prepare for Your Appointment

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Many people go through life feeling different. During childhood, feeling this way can be confusing and can mean you are left out and never quite fit in. This is a feeling that many people with undiagnosed ADHD may be able to relate to. Going through your entire childhood and reaching adulthood with the same symptoms can be challenging. But as greater awareness of neurodiversity has developed in recent years, a growing number of people are now seeking out an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood.

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a validating experience, especially when you have been aware of your symptoms for a very long time. But you may also feel unsure about how to get an adult ADHD assessment. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Think About Your Symptoms

It’s helpful to begin by identifying the symptoms you believe suggest that you may have ADHD. It’s useful to spend a while thinking about these symptoms or traits to gain a clearer idea of them in your mind before you reach out to a professional.

You may find it beneficial to write these symptoms down as a list. This means that you have the answers ready when you speak to a professional and are asked about your symptoms. Having your symptoms written down will ensure that you don’t forget anything when speaking to your GP or other clinician.

Book a GP Appointment

As a first port of call, it’s often helpful to book an appointment with your GP. Discussing your symptoms with your GP may be helpful if you think that other factors may be involved in your symptoms and how you are feeling. 

Unfortunately, NHS waiting times for adults ADHD assessments can be really long. Potentially, it may take months or even years to get an NHS ADHD assessment. For this reason, many people choose to speak to their GP and to then get a private adult ADHD assessment to cut down on their waiting time considerably. Waiting a long time to find out whether you have ADHD can be frustrating and cause distress. In contrast, a private assessment can provide a diagnosis far more quickly, enabling you to get the answers you’re seeking faster.

Starting the Assessment Process

Once you have booked in for an assessment, it’s helpful to understand what it will involve. You won’t be immediately told whether you have ADHD. The diagnosis is a thorough process, and needs to be completed properly. So, you will likely start with a short questionnaire. This will take just minutes to complete and will measure your suitability for the assessment. A longer self-assessment questionnaire usually follows, and should take around 45 minutes to complete. 

Once the initial questionnaires are completed, you will then have a structured interview. After speaking to a psychiatrist, you will receive a treatment plan to help you understand more about your next steps.

Seeking an ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing, helping you enhance your well-being and gain a greater understanding of yourself.