What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK — Your Complete Next Steps Guide

The first thing: your diagnostic report

After your assessment, your clinician will produce a written diagnostic report. This is the most important document you'll receive. It confirms your diagnosis, explains the evidence for it, and sets out treatment recommendations.

If you were assessed privately, this report needs to be sent to your GP. Some clinics do this automatically, others require your consent first. Check with your provider and make sure it actually arrives — don't assume. Your GP needs this report before they can do anything.

If you were assessed through the NHS or via Right to Choose, the report should go to your GP as part of the standard pathway. It can still take a few weeks to arrive and be processed, so follow up if you haven't heard anything after a month.

Keep a copy of your report somewhere safe. You may need it for workplace adjustments, university support, or future medical appointments.

Medication: what to expect

Medication is the most common first-line treatment for ADHD in adults. Your clinician will usually recommend it unless there's a specific reason not to, such as a heart condition or substance misuse history. You don't have to take medication — it's always your choice — but for many people it's the single most effective intervention.

Titration: finding the right dose

You won't just be handed a prescription and sent on your way. There's a process called titration, which involves starting on a low dose and gradually increasing it over several weeks until you find the level that works for you with the fewest side effects.

Titration typically takes 4 to 12 weeks. During this period, you'll have regular check-ins with a prescriber — usually every 2 to 4 weeks, either by phone, video call, or in person. They'll ask about symptom improvement, side effects, sleep, appetite, and mood.

The two main types of ADHD medication in the UK are stimulants (methylphenidate-based like Concerta or Elvanse/lisdexamfetamine) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine or guanfacine). Most people start with a stimulant. If the first one doesn't work well, your clinician may try a different type or formulation.

For more detail on specific medications, doses, and costs, see our ADHD medication guide.

How much does medication cost?

If your GP agrees to a shared care arrangement (more on this below), your medication will be available on NHS prescription. In England, this means you pay the standard prescription charge of £9.90 per item — or nothing if you have a prepayment certificate (around £32 per quarter), which is worth getting if you'll be collecting monthly prescriptions.

In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are free.

If shared care isn't agreed and you stay with a private prescriber, medication costs more — typically £50 to £150 per month depending on the medication and pharmacy. This is why shared care matters so much.

Shared care: the key to affordable ongoing treatment

Shared care is an arrangement where your private ADHD clinician and your GP agree to share responsibility for your ongoing treatment. In practice, it usually means the private clinician handles the initial assessment, diagnosis, and titration, and then your GP takes over prescribing once your medication is stabilised.

This is important because it moves your prescriptions from private (expensive) to NHS (£9.90 or free). Without shared care, you'd need to keep seeing a private psychiatrist for every prescription, which can cost £150 to £300 per appointment on top of the medication itself.

Will my GP agree to shared care?

Most GPs will agree, but it's not guaranteed. Shared care is voluntary — GPs can't be forced to accept it. Some reasons a GP might decline include unfamiliarity with ADHD, concerns about the quality of the private assessment, or practice-level policies.

If your GP declines, you have options. You can ask them to explain their reasoning in writing, request a second opinion from another GP at the practice, or switch GP practices. You can also ask your private clinician to write a more detailed letter to your GP explaining the shared care protocol.

For a full guide on how shared care works and what to do if your GP refuses, see our shared care guide.

What if you don't want medication?

Medication isn't the only option. Some people manage their ADHD effectively without it, particularly if their symptoms are mild or if they have concerns about side effects. Alternatives and complementary approaches include ADHD coaching, which helps with practical strategies for organisation, time management, and daily life. Cognitive behavioural therapy adapted for ADHD can help with negative thought patterns and emotional regulation. Exercise has strong evidence for improving ADHD symptoms, particularly high-intensity cardio. Workplace adjustments can reduce the impact of ADHD in professional settings. Dietary changes, while not a treatment in themselves, can support overall brain health.

Many people find the best results from a combination of medication and non-medication strategies. You don't have to choose one or the other.

Telling your employer: rights and adjustments

ADHD is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland, and Wales (and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland) when it has a substantial, long-term effect on your ability to carry out day-to-day activities. This means you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments at work.

You are not legally required to tell your employer about your diagnosis. It's entirely your choice. However, if you do disclose, your employer has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. Common adjustments for ADHD include flexible working hours, written rather than verbal instructions, noise-cancelling headphones in open-plan offices, extra time for tasks that require sustained concentration, regular breaks, and a quieter workspace.

You may also be eligible for Access to Work funding from the Department for Work and Pensions. This is a government scheme that pays for practical support in the workplace, including coaching, specialist equipment, and support workers. It's free to apply and can cover up to £66,000 per year in support. Your ADHD diagnosis is sufficient to qualify.

For a full guide on your workplace rights, see our ADHD at work guide.

University and education support

If you're a student, your ADHD diagnosis can unlock significant support. Universities in the UK are required to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. Common support includes extra time in exams (usually 25%), extensions on assignment deadlines, access to a quiet exam room, note-taking support, recorded lectures, and mentoring or study skills support.

To access this support, contact your university's disability or wellbeing service and share your diagnostic report. Many universities also help you apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), which is government funding that covers specialist equipment, software, and support workers. DSA is not means-tested and doesn't need to be repaid.

What about combined ADHD and autism?

Around 40% of people with ADHD also have autism. If your clinician flagged possible autistic traits during your ADHD assessment, or if you recognise autistic traits in yourself, it may be worth pursuing an autism assessment as well.

Having both diagnoses gives you and your support team a more complete picture, which leads to more targeted support. Some clinics offer combined ADHD and autism assessments, which can be quicker and cheaper than two separate assessments.

For more on this, see our ADHD and autism guide.

Building your support network

An ADHD diagnosis is the start of a journey, not the end of one. Beyond clinical treatment, building a support network makes a real difference. ADHD coaching provides structured, ongoing support for managing daily life, work challenges, and goal-setting. A good coach understands ADHD-specific challenges and works with you rather than against your brain.

Peer support groups connect you with other people who understand what you're going through. Many are free and run online. Organisations like ADHD UK, the ADHD Foundation, and the Scottish ADHD Coalition can point you to local and national groups.

Online communities like r/ADHD_UK on Reddit are active and supportive spaces where people share experiences, advice, and recommendations.

A note on the emotional side

Getting diagnosed with ADHD, particularly as an adult, can bring up complex emotions. Relief that there's an explanation for lifelong struggles. Grief for the years spent undiagnosed. Anger at a system that missed it. Frustration with people who still don't understand.

All of these feelings are normal and valid. Many people find it helpful to work with a therapist who understands ADHD, particularly in the first few months after diagnosis. If you're struggling emotionally, speak to your GP or contact Samaritans on 116 123.

Your post-diagnosis checklist

After receiving your ADHD diagnosis, there are several practical steps to work through.

• ✓Make sure your diagnostic report has been sent to your GP
• ✓Book a GP appointment to discuss shared care and medication options
• ✓If medication is recommended, begin the titration process with your prescriber
• ✓Apply for a prescription prepayment certificate if you're in England and will be collecting monthly prescriptions
• ✓Consider whether to disclose to your employer and request workplace adjustments
• ✓If you're a student, contact your university's disability service and apply for DSA
• ✓Look into Access to Work if you're employed
• ✓Explore ADHD coaching, therapy, or peer support
• ✓Connect with ADHD communities and charities for ongoing support

Frequently asked questions