FAQs

My GP said the referral would be quick — is that true?

Usually not. A referral puts you on a waiting list, and the wait depends on the provider. Psychiatry UK, a major Right to Choose provider, currently quotes 32 to 40 weeks for an adult ADHD assessment, and 44 to 52 weeks for titration after that.[Psychiatry UK] See theGetting an assessmentpage.

What's the difference between a referral and an assessment?

A referral is a request from your GP. It puts you on a waiting list. An assessment is the actual appointment, when you see the specialist. The referral is the start of the wait; the assessment is the end of it.

How long is the NHS waiting list?

There isn't a single national list — it depends on where you live. NHS England estimated up to 735,000 people had an open referral for ADHD services as of December 2025.[ADHD Centre] Some areas wait years.

What's the difference between assessment and titration?

Assessment is where you get diagnosed. Titration is the process of finding the right medication and dose, under specialist supervision. They're separate queues with separate waits — and if you were already diagnosed and stable, titration is the one you're waiting for.

What is Right to Choose, and how do I ask for it?

If you're registered with a GP in England, and your GP agrees you need an assessment, you have a legal right to choose which provider does it. Ask your GP by name: say you'd like a Right to Choose referral, and name the provider. Don't accept a local referral by default. See theGetting an assessmentpage for the full detail.

Does Right to Choose mean I'll be seen faster?

Not guaranteed. Right to Choose lets you pick the provider, but the wait depends on that provider's capacity. It's often faster than a local referral, but not always.

My GP has stopped prescribing — what do I do?

It's happening across England, because ADHD prescribing sits outside the GP contract and GPs aren't funded for it. Your route back is a specialist referral — and realistically, that's a year. TheMedicationpage covers what to ask for while you wait.

Can I get a bridging prescription while I wait?

Some GPs will give you a short supply while a referral processes. It's at their discretion, and it's not guaranteed — but it's worth asking, in writing.

I don't fit the standard description — does that mean I'm not ADHD or autistic?

No. Most research is based on white boys and men, and the stereotypes were built around them. If you're a woman, a person of colour, or someone who masks, the standard picture may not describe you — that's a gap in the research, not in you.

Should I go private?

It's the fastest route — often weeks, not years — but it costs £700 to £1,100 for the assessment, with medication charged separately.[ADHD Centre] One thing to check first: some GPs won't enter shared care with a private provider, so you may pay privately for medication too.

What medication is available for ADHD? Are there non-stimulant options?

There are two main groups: stimulants and non-stimulants.

Stimulants — methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Equasym) and amphetamine-based (Elvanse, dexamfetamine) — are the first-line treatment in the UK.[NHS]

Non-stimulants — atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine, and clonidine — are used when stimulants don't work, cause side effects, or aren't suitable. They take longer to work but can be a better fit for some people.

Which one is right depends on your history, other conditions, and what you respond to. That's a conversation with the prescriber, not a page.

Can I get an assessment if I wasn't diagnosed as a child?

Yes. Many people are diagnosed as adults. The assessment asks about your developmental history, so it helps to gather what you can — school reports, memories, notes from people who know you — but a childhood diagnosis isn't required.