ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is not just a childhood condition. For many people it carries on into adult life, where it can affect work, study, money, relationships and how you feel about yourself.
An NHS England taskforce reported that research suggests around 2 to 3% of adults have ADHD. Many were never assessed as children. Some only start to wonder about ADHD after years of feeling that everyday tasks take more effort for them than for other people.
This website explains adult ADHD in plain language. It covers what ADHD is, how it’s diagnosed in the UK, the treatment options, and what can help day to day.
Who this site is for
This site is for adults aged 18 and over in the UK who:
- think they might have ADHD and want to understand it better
- are thinking about an assessment and want to know their options
- have recently been diagnosed and want to know what happens next
- are supporting a partner, relative or friend
Where to start
Everyone arrives with different questions. These pages are good starting points.
If you’re wondering whether you have ADHD, read what adult ADHD is and the symptoms in adults. Women often have a different experience, so there is a separate page on ADHD in women.
If you’re thinking about an assessment, find out what an ADHD assessment involves and compare NHS and private routes.
If you’ve been diagnosed, read about treatment options, titration (finding the right medicine dose) and shared care with your GP.
For everyday life, see living with ADHD for work, study, driving and money, and ADHD and other conditions for anxiety, depression, autism and more.
Your two main routes
In the UK, there are two main ways to get an adult ADHD assessment.
Through the NHS
You start by seeing your GP. They will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life, and they may refer you to a specialist ADHD service. The NHS says waiting times vary and you may wait several months or years.
In England, you may have a legal right to choose which provider you’re referred to. This is often called Right to Choose. It depends on where you live and what services are available. The page on NHS or private explains how it works.
Privately
You can pay for an assessment with a private provider. This is usually quicker, but you pay for the assessment, any follow-up appointments and your medicines. If you’re prescribed medication, your GP may or may not agree to take over prescribing later. See fees for an example of what private care can cost.
Getting help now
ADHD itself isn’t an emergency, but living with it can be hard, and some people also have low mood or anxiety.
About this information
This site is an information website and does not provide clinical services. Pages are written using UK sources such as the NHS, NICE and GOV.UK, and each page lists its sources. Consultations mentioned on this site are provided by Happy Clinic. You can read more about how the site is written and who runs it on the about page.