Taking the first steps towards an adult diagnosis for ADHD can be filled with uncertainties. Despite the limitations and struggles facing our health service, there is a pathway to take for a referral. Here’s a suggested place to start to help you navigate the diagnosis and referral system:

• Do an online test: Take the adult ADHD self-report scale test to get an initial indication of your likelihood of suffering from ADHD. Before your GP will refer you to a specialist, you’ll be asked to fill this in to see if you meet the criteria for referral. Don’t lose heart if you’ve struggled to answer the questions involved in this pre-assessment. The questions are based on research done in hyperactive white boys and so are not reflective of the symptoms that may present in diverse identities outside that group.
• Talk to your GP: Take your pre-assessment form to your GP and have an honest and open discussion about why you think you have ADHD. Once you’ve talked things through with your GP, he or she will decide, with you, whether to refer you for further support. Find out how long the waiting list is so you have an idea how long you might wait.
• Decide on your provider: If you decide the list is too long, you have the right to choose an alternative provider in England. Use this page from ADHD UK to find an alternative provider which could be paid for by your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). You can, of course, pay to go private if you can afford it and need support immediately.  This might be a good idea if your workplace requires a formal diagnosis before making adjustments for you.

It always pays to simplify the process of assessment as much as possible. Once the specialist team has given you an appointment, you will be sent a number of forms which needs to be filled in by someone who knows you as a child and can vouch for your current self, and a self assessment rating scale. We would recommend you use the DIVA form as a reference to help you prepare for the semi-structured interview that you will have with your psychiatrist.

Once you’ve done that, watch our YouTube episode featuring an interview with consultant psychiatrist Dr Muffazal Rawala. He specialises in adult ADHD – particularly in women – and is also involved in medical education.

Sari Solden, Psychotherapist specialising in adult ADHD said, “As a woman navigating your life following your ADHD diagnosis, it is about understanding your brain, forming a new identity and integrating these new ideas about yourself.

Getting a diagnosis for ADHD is a big step to understanding yourself and treating yourself with more compassion.

If you need more support to prepare for your ADHD assessment, have conversations around ADHD Workplace adjustments or request your workplace to do neurodiversity awareness training, check out ADHD Girls’ video courses.