How Do I Get an ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult?

The good news is that it follows a fairly predictable path. This guide walks you through each step, from your first questions to getting your report and support afterwards, so you know what to expect.

The steps aren't always neat, and that's fine. Here's what each one involves.

Most adults come to an assessment after years of feeling that something doesn't quite feel right for you. Maybe you've always had a busy mind, lost track of time, or worked twice as hard to keep on top of things.

Before you do anything else, it helps to start gathering your story. You don't need to be organised about it. A note on your phone is enough.

• Write down a few everyday examples of what you find hard, and what helps.
• Think about what you were like at school. Old school reports can be really useful if you still have them but are not essential so don't worry if you don't.
• Ask someone who knew you as a child, like a parent or older sibling, what they remember.
• Notice whether these experiences show up in more than one place, such as at work, at home and in relationships.

This matters because a diagnosis looks at your whole life, not just how you are right now. Our article on how to know if you need an ADHD assessment explains the signs in more detail.

NICE guidelines say ADHD should be diagnosed by a specialist psychiatrist or another healthcare professional with the right training and expertise, after a full assessment. There are two main ways to get there.

Through the NHS: Start by talking to your GP, who can refer you to an adult ADHD service. Waiting times vary across the UK and can be long. In England, you may be able to use Right to Choose to be referred to a different NHS-funded provider.

Privately: You can usually refer yourself, and waits tend to be shorter. Before you book, it's worth checking that:

• clinicians are registered with their professional body, such as the GMC, NMC or HCPC
• assessments follow NICE guidelines
• it's clear what happens after diagnosis, including how medication would be prescribed and monitored

It's also worth knowing that GPs can choose whether to share prescribing with a private service. A good provider will explain what happens if your GP says no.

Many adult ADHD assessments now happen online by video. For lots of people, this is easier: no travel, no unfamiliar waiting room, and you're in your own space.

At Raiys, an online assessment works well if you:

• are 18 or over and registered with a GP
• can join a video call on a laptop, desktop or larger tablet (10 inches or bigger), propped up so you're hands-free
• have a stable internet connection and a private, quiet space where you won't be overheard
• are comfortable keeping your camera on for the whole appointment

Phones and small tablets aren't suitable, as the screen is too small for a reliable assessment. A bedroom or home office with the door closed works well. Cafés, cars and shared spaces don't.

Sometimes a different route will suit you better, for now or in a different setting. This might be the case if you're in crisis or having thoughts of ending your life, are in active treatment for an eating disorder or substance use, have a learning disability, or communicate mainly without speech. It doesn't mean you can't get support. It means we want you to get the right care in the right setting. If you have a visual or hearing impairment, get in touch, as adjustments may be possible.

If you're in crisis right now, please call 999, go to A&E, or call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time of day or night.

Before your appointment, you'll usually be asked to fill in some questionnaires. These give your clinician a picture of your experiences before you meet, so your time together can focus on what matters most to you.

At Raiys, these are completed online through your secure portal and include:

• The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-5): a short, widely used questionnaire about how often you notice common ADHD traits.
• A daily life questionnaire: about how things affect your work, home life and relationships.
• A neurodevelopmental history questionnaire: about your childhood and background.
• A physical health questionnaire: about your general health, medicines, sleep and appetite. This helps keep any future treatment safe.
• An informant questionnaire: completed by someone who knows you well, such as a partner, parent or close friend.

The informant questionnaire isn't compulsory, but it's really helpful. Other people often notice things we don't, and it can add detail about what you were like growing up. It ensures your assessment is robust as possible.

A tip: if forms feel overwhelming, try doing one questionnaire at a time, with breaks in between. There are no right or wrong answers. Just be as honest as you can about how things usually are, not how they are on a good day.

At Raiys, the assessment is a video appointment lasting around 90 minutes to 2 hours, with a specialist clinician such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or ADHD specialist nurse. It feels more like a guided conversation than a test.

At the start, your clinician will introduce themselves, check your identity and explain how the session will work. They'll ask for your consent to the assessment and to sharing the outcome with your GP. We use a secure transcription tool to help with note-taking, and you'll be asked whether you're happy with this. You can say no.

During the assessment, your clinician will use the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults). This is a structured interview used by specialists to explore attention, restlessness and impulsivity, both in childhood and now, and how these affect different parts of your life. They'll also ask about:

• your childhood, school and education
• work, relationships and daily life
• your physical and mental health, including sleep, mood and alcohol or drug use
• any family history of ADHD, autism or other conditions

You'll also be asked about your wellbeing and safety. These questions are asked to everyone and are part of good care.

Your own words matter. The assessment is built around your experiences, not just scores. Many adults, particularly women, have spent years masking or using strategies to cope. A good clinician knows that coming across as calm and organised in an appointment doesn't rule out ADHD, and will ask what keeping things together costs you day to day.

You can ask for breaks, take your time to answer, or ask for a question to be put another way. Having a drink, a fidget toy or notes to hand is completely fine.

To make a diagnosis, your clinician uses the internationally recognised criteria (DSM-5 and ICD-11). They'll look at whether your experiences:

• started in childhood
• show up in more than one setting
• have been there over time
• have a real impact on your daily life

Sometimes your clinician can share their conclusion at the end of the appointment. Other times, they'll arrange a feedback appointment. At Raiys, more complex assessments are discussed with our multidisciplinary team (MDT), so a psychiatrist, psychologist and specialist nurse can review them together before a decision is shared. This is a quality check, not a sign that something is wrong.

There are a few possible outcomes:

• ADHD is diagnosed. Your clinician will explain what this means for you, including your strengths as well as the challenges.
• ADHD isn't diagnosed. Your clinician will explain what else might explain your experiences and suggest next steps. Your difficulties are still real, and you still deserve support.
• Something else comes up as well, such as anxiety, low mood or autism, which often occurs alongside ADHD. Your clinician will talk you through this.

At Raiys, your written report is usually ready within 14 days of your assessment. You can view it securely in the Raiys app.

A diagnosis is a starting point, not an end point. There's no single right way to manage ADHD, and the choice is yours. Options include:

• Understanding and strategies: learning how your brain works and finding practical tools for focus, time and organisation.
• Coaching and therapy-based support: help with planning, routines and managing emotions.
• Medication: for some people, ADHD medication makes a real difference. Before starting, you'll have some simple health checks, like blood pressure, pulse and weight. Your dose is then adjusted gradually, with regular reviews, until you find what works for you. We are currently unable to offer this option but can add you to our waiting list for when this service opens.

If we do prescribe for you in the future, once your medication is stable, we may ask your GP to take over prescribing under a shared care agreement. If your GP isn't able to do this, Raiys can continue to prescribe and monitor your medication. Everyone on medication has an annual review.

Whatever you decide about medication, everyone diagnosed at Raiys can use BeChange, our digital programme with practical tools and information to help you understand and manage ADHD day to day.

Our adult ADHD assessments are carried out online by an experienced, specialist ADHD team and follow NICE guidelines.

Ready to take the next step? Find out more about our adult ADHD assessment.

Whichever route you choose, understanding how your brain works can make everyday life feel more manageable, and help you find the support that suits you