How to Ask Your GP for an ADHD Referral — What to Say and What to Do If They Refuse
Asking your GP for an ADHD referral shouldn't be difficult, but for many people it's the single biggest barrier to getting assessed. Here is exactly what to say, what your GP can and can't refuse, and what to do if things don't go to plan.
Asking your GP for an ADHD referral shouldn't be difficult, but for many people it's the single biggest barrier to getting assessed. Some GPs are brilliant — they listen, they refer quickly, and they support you through the process. Others are dismissive, uninformed about ADHD in adults, or simply unsure of the referral pathway.
This guide covers exactly what to say at your appointment, what your GP can and can't refuse, and what to do if things don't go to plan.
Before your appointment: preparation matters
Walking into your GP appointment and saying “I think I have ADHD” without preparation is risky — not because your concerns aren't valid, but because a 10-minute GP slot doesn't give you much time to make your case. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to leave with a referral.
Start by writing down your specific symptoms and how they affect your daily life. GPs respond better to concrete examples than vague descriptions. Instead of “I can't concentrate,” try “I regularly miss bill payment deadlines because I forget they exist until I get a warning letter. Last month I missed three.” Instead of “I'm always distracted,” try “In meetings at work, I lose track of what's being said within minutes and have to ask colleagues to repeat things, which has been flagged in my performance reviews.”
Think about how long these difficulties have been present. ADHD is a lifelong condition — your GP will want to know that these aren't recent problems caused by stress, depression, or life changes. If you can describe similar difficulties in childhood (trouble at school, losing things, being told you weren't reaching your potential, always being in trouble for talking or fidgeting), that strengthens your case significantly.
Take our free ADHD screener before your appointment and print the results. It's based on the WHO's validated ASRS screening tool, which is the same tool many GPs use as an initial screen. Having a completed screener shows you've done your research and gives your GP a structured starting point.
Write everything down and bring it with you. You'll likely feel nervous, and it's easy to forget key points in the moment. A written list also signals to your GP that you've thought about this seriously.
What to say at the appointment
Keep it structured and specific. Here's a framework that works:
Open with your concern directly
Don’t bury it behind other issues or save it until the end of the appointment. Try: “I’d like to discuss a referral for an ADHD assessment. I’ve been experiencing symptoms that are significantly affecting my work and daily life, and I believe they’re consistent with ADHD.”
Describe your three or four most impactful symptoms
Use specific examples, and focus on how they affect your functioning — job performance, relationships, finances, or daily organisation. The GP needs to understand these are genuine functional impairments, not minor inconveniences.
Mention the duration
“These difficulties have been present since childhood. At school I was described as bright but unfocused, and I’ve struggled with organisation and time management my entire adult life.”
Reference your screening result
“I completed the WHO ASRS screening tool and scored above the threshold for likely ADHD.”
Make your request clearly
“I’d like to be referred for a formal ADHD assessment.” If you want to use Right to Choose (England only), add: “I’d like to be referred under the NHS Right to Choose scheme to [provider name].”
Understanding your referral options
You have several pathways depending on where you live and what you can afford.
In England, your GP can refer you to the local NHS ADHD service (usually a community mental health team or specialist ADHD clinic). The wait for this is typically 2 to 5 years. Alternatively, you can ask for a Right to Choose referral to a private provider, funded by the NHS. This is significantly faster — usually 2 to 6 months. For the full process, see our Right to Choose guide.
In Scotland, your GP refers you to local NHS services. There is no Right to Choose equivalent, but some health boards have shorter waits than others. Ask your GP about the current waiting time in your area.
In Wales, your GP refers to local NHS neurodevelopmental services. Again, no Right to Choose, but a new national ADHD pathway has been developing. Ask your GP for the current local options.
In Northern Ireland, referrals go through local mental health teams. Waits vary significantly by trust area.
In all four nations, you can also choose to go private at your own cost. You do not need a GP referral for a private assessment — you can self-refer directly to any private provider. However, having your GP involved from the start makes the shared care process smoother if you're later prescribed medication.
For a comparison of providers and prices, see our cost guide or search for clinics in your area.
What your GP can and can't do
Your GP is not an ADHD specialist. They are not qualified to diagnose ADHD, and they shouldn't be expected to. Their role is to listen to your concerns, conduct a basic screening if appropriate, and refer you to a specialist for a proper assessment.
- iYour GP cannot diagnose you with ADHD. Only a specialist (psychiatrist, specialist nurse, or clinical psychologist depending on the pathway) can make a formal diagnosis.
- iYour GP cannot refuse a Right to Choose referral without good clinical reason. The NHS Choice Framework gives patients in England the legal right to choose their provider. "We don’t do Right to Choose" or "I haven’t heard of it" is not a valid reason to refuse.
- iYour GP can decline to refer you if they genuinely believe your symptoms are better explained by another condition. If so, they should explain their reasoning and offer an alternative assessment or referral.
- iYour GP should not dismiss your concerns because you’re an adult, because you did well at school, because you’re female, or because you "don’t seem hyperactive". If your GP says anything along these lines, it reflects a lack of ADHD knowledge, not a clinical judgement about your symptoms.
If your GP says no: what to do next
It happens more often than it should. Here are your options, in order.
Ask them to explain their reasoning
If they have a genuine clinical concern — for example, they think your symptoms are caused by untreated anxiety or a thyroid condition — that is worth exploring. Ask them to put their reasoning in writing so you can consider it.
Ask for a second opinion
You have the right to see a different GP at the same practice. Ask reception if there is a GP with a particular interest in ADHD or mental health.
Switch GP practices
If your entire practice is unsympathetic, you can register with a different one. Check reviews or local ADHD support groups for recommendations of ADHD-friendly practices in your area.
Contact PALS
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service exists in every NHS trust in England. They can advocate on your behalf, which is particularly useful if your GP has refused a Right to Choose referral without valid clinical justification.
Go private
You don’t need your GP’s permission for a private ADHD assessment — you can self-refer directly to any private provider. The diagnostic report can be shared with your GP afterwards to set up shared care for medication.
Write a letter to your GP
Putting your concerns in writing creates a formal record, gives the GP time to research the referral pathway, and removes the time pressure of a 10-minute appointment. Keep it factual: symptoms, impact, duration, and your request for referral.
Private assessments typically cost between £300 and £1,500 — see our cost guide for a full breakdown.
A word about the “but you seem fine” problem
Many adults with ADHD have spent decades developing coping strategies that mask their difficulties. You might appear organised because you spend three times longer than everyone else preparing. You might seem calm because you've learned to internalise your restlessness. You might have done well at school because you're intelligent enough to compensate — but at enormous personal cost.
None of this means you don't have ADHD. It means you've been working incredibly hard to function in a world that wasn't designed for your brain. A good clinician will look past the surface and assess whether ADHD symptoms are present and causing significant impairment, even if you've become skilled at hiding them.
If your GP can't see past your coping strategies, that's their limitation, not yours. Seek a second opinion or go directly to a specialist. Our guide on ADHD in women covers why this pattern is so common in people diagnosed later in life.
Preparing for the referral itself
If your GP agrees to refer you, make sure you clarify a few things before leaving the appointment.
- ✓Ask which service you’re being referred to and what the current waiting time is. If it’s the standard NHS pathway and the wait is several years, ask about Right to Choose as a faster alternative.
- ✓If using Right to Choose, confirm the GP knows which provider to refer you to. Have the provider’s details ready — name, website, and referral email or form. Some providers have downloadable GP referral forms on their website.
- ✓Ask whether the GP will send the referral immediately or whether you need to do anything else. Follow up after two weeks if you haven’t heard from the provider — referrals do occasionally get lost in the system.
- ✓Get confirmation in writing if possible — even a note on your medical record that the referral has been made is useful.
What happens after the referral
Once referred, the provider will contact you to arrange your assessment. For NHS adult ADHD services, you'll be placed on a waiting list. For Right to Choose providers, you'll typically hear back within a few weeks. For private providers, you can usually book directly.
The assessment itself usually takes 1 to 3 hours and involves a detailed clinical interview about your symptoms, history, and daily functioning. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see our guide on how long an ADHD assessment takes. Current NHS estimates are in our NHS waiting times guide.
If you're diagnosed, your clinician will discuss treatment options and write to your GP. For information about medication, shared care, and next steps, see our guide on what happens after an ADHD diagnosis. If you're navigating this for your child instead, see our parent's guide to children's ADHD assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral for an ADHD assessment?
For NHS or Right to Choose assessments, yes — your GP needs to make the referral. For a private assessment, no — you can self-refer directly to most private providers without involving your GP at all. However, having your GP aware of the assessment makes shared care for medication easier later.
Can my GP diagnose ADHD?
No. GPs are not qualified to diagnose ADHD. They can conduct an initial screening and refer you to a specialist, but the diagnosis must be made by a psychiatrist, specialist ADHD nurse, or clinical psychologist.
What if my GP says ADHD is only a childhood condition?
This is incorrect. ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. While it is diagnosed in childhood in many cases, it persists into adulthood in around 60 to 70 percent of cases, and many people are not diagnosed until their 20s, 30s, 40s, or later. If your GP says this, politely point them to the NICE guidelines on ADHD (NG87), which explicitly cover adult ADHD, and consider seeking a second opinion.
Can my GP refuse a Right to Choose referral?
They should not refuse without a valid clinical reason. Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Choice Framework in England. If your GP refuses, ask them to put their reasoning in writing and contact PALS for support. Some GPs are unfamiliar with the process.
How long after seeing my GP will I get an assessment?
Through the standard NHS pathway: typically 1 to 5 years depending on your area. Through Right to Choose: typically 2 to 6 months. Through a private provider: typically 1 to 4 weeks.
What should I bring to my GP appointment?
Bring a written list of your symptoms with specific examples of how they affect your daily life, any evidence of childhood difficulties (school reports if you have them), a completed ADHD screening questionnaire, and the name of the provider you would like to be referred to if using Right to Choose.
Can I be referred for ADHD if I already have a diagnosis of anxiety or depression?
Yes. ADHD commonly co-occurs with anxiety and depression. In fact, many people are initially misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression when ADHD is the underlying cause. Having an existing mental health diagnosis does not prevent you from being referred for an ADHD assessment.
Ready to find a provider?
Use ADHD Compare to search clinics by city, price, and wait time. If you're eligible for Right to Choose, our complete guide walks through getting a free NHS-funded assessment.
→ Take the free ADHD screener before your GP appointment
This article was last updated August 2026. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Waiting times, costs, and referral pathways are indicative and subject to change. Always confirm current details with your GP and the relevant provider.
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