A complete guide to getting an adult ADHD diagnosis in the UK in 2025 — NHS vs private routes, costs, what to expect, and how to use the Right to Choose scheme.
If you're an adult in the UK wondering whether you might have ADHD, you're far from alone. Diagnoses in adults have risen sharply over the past decade — not because ADHD is becoming more common, but because understanding of how it presents in adults (and particularly in women) has improved enormously.
The challenge isn't recognising that you might have ADHD. It's navigating the system to actually get assessed. This guide covers everything you need to know.
The NHS provides free ADHD assessments, but demand has dramatically outpaced capacity. In 2024, an estimated 196,000 adults were on NHS waiting lists for ADHD assessment. The BBC reported that half of NHS services would take at least eight years to clear their current backlogs. In some areas — Herefordshire and Worcestershire, for example — waits exceeded ten years.
The wait between GP referral and assessment can range from a few months (if you're fortunate) to several years.
This is one of the most underused options available to people in England. Under the NHS Choice Framework, if your GP refers you for a mental health assessment, you have the legal right to choose any qualified NHS provider — including certain private providers that hold NHS contracts.
Providers like Psychiatry UK and ADHD 360 hold Right to Choose contracts, meaning your GP can refer you to them and your assessment is funded by the NHS. Wait times via this route are typically weeks, not years.
If you don't want to wait for NHS assessment and don't qualify for Right to Choose (or your GP won't refer), private assessment is the fastest option. Adult ADHD assessments with private clinics typically take place within one to four weeks of booking.
Costs: Adult assessments typically range from £495 to £1,200 depending on the clinic, location, and the complexity of the assessment. Online assessments are generally slightly cheaper than in-person.
Whether you go NHS or private, the assessment process is broadly similar.
Before the appointment: You'll usually be asked to complete several questionnaires, including a self-report symptom scale (often the ASRS or Conners scales). Some clinics also ask for a questionnaire to be completed by someone who knew you as a child — a parent, sibling, or old school friend — to gather information about childhood symptoms.
During the assessment: A consultant psychiatrist or specialist clinician will conduct a structured clinical interview. They'll ask about your current symptoms, how long you've experienced them, and how they affect different areas of your life — work, relationships, finances, daily tasks. They'll also ask about your childhood, since ADHD symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 to meet diagnostic criteria.
The assessment typically lasts 60–90 minutes. Some clinics spread this across two appointments.
After the assessment: If you meet the diagnostic criteria, you'll receive a formal diagnosis and a written diagnostic report. This report can be used with your employer, your GP, and any other support services you need.
If ADHD medication is recommended, you'll enter a titration process — a period of regular check-ins to find the right medication and dosage for you.
Not all private ADHD clinics are equal. Before booking, check:
The more clearly you can communicate your experiences, the more useful your assessment will be. Before your appointment:
If you're considering the private route, ADHD Directory (adhd-directory.co.uk) lists accredited private ADHD assessment clinics across England. You can filter by location, delivery method (online or in-person), price range, and wait time. The guided screener takes about three minutes and matches you with the most relevant clinics for your situation — free to use.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose ADHD. If you are concerned about your mental health, please speak to your GP.
Take our free 3-minute screener and get matched with accredited clinics near you.