Adult ADHD in the UK
Getting an ADHD diagnosis
A clear, calm guide to how adult ADHD assessment works in the UK. The routes open to you, what each one involves, and what happens once you have answers.
Wherever you are in this, one thing stays true. You do not need a diagnosis to start getting support.
The sections below open one at a time, so you only read the part you need. Come back when you are ready for the next.
The pathway
Most people move through these four stages. You can start wherever makes sense for you.
Good to know
The questions people tend to ask once they understand the steps.
A diagnosis is a beginning, not an ending, and you do not have to work any of it out alone. As a certified ADHD coach, I work alongside people at every stage of this journey.
- Before an assessment: getting ready for the GP conversation and understanding your options.
- During a long wait: building routines and strategies so life feels more workable now, rather than on hold.
- After a diagnosis: making sense of what it means for you and deciding what comes next.
You do not need a diagnosis, or a decision about medication, to start. If your challenges show up at work, Access to Work may be able to fund this support.
You do not have to work this out alone
Whether you are preparing for an assessment, waiting, or finding your feet after a diagnosis, ADHD coaching can help you move forward at your own pace.
Outside the UK? This guide covers the UK system specifically. The general shape, screener, professional assessment, then support, holds elsewhere, but the routes and funding differ by country.
This page is general information, not medical advice. For anything clinical, including medication, please speak to your GP or a qualified professional. Useful sources include the NHS and NICE.