A government-commissioned inquiry published this week found that demand for ADHD assessment has risen sharply, with NHS referrals increasing 17-fold between 2019 and the end of 2025. The report noted that modern life makes it harder for undiagnosed people to maintain their 'mask', and better awareness of neurodiversity naturally leads more people to question whether ADHD or autism may be behind their struggles.
While the report warned this increase could change the landscape regarding 'underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis', it stressed there was no evidence to suggest 'people presenting today are less impaired than those presenting previously.' Regardless of the cause, the real-world effect remains the same — 'unacceptable delays to support and treatment for those who need it.'
Why Consider These Questions?
With local NHS waiting lists now sitting at up to seven years and private diagnoses averaging over £1,200 (not including follow-ups or prescriptions), it's not a process to be entered into lightly. Dr Alina Vaida, consultant psychiatrist at Midland Health, recommends asking yourself the following questions before deciding an assessment is the right path for you.
What Do You Hope a Diagnosis Will Change?
Because an ADHD diagnosis can cost so much time and money, Dr Vaida says 'it helps to be honest with yourself about what you're hoping to get out of it' first off. 'For some people, it's mainly about understanding themselves better and making sense of their past, and for others, it's about medication or getting support at work or university,' she tells Metro.
'Knowing what matters most to you can help you choose the right route and the right questions to ask along the way.' Dr Vaida also advises against seeing a diagnosis as a 'quick fix' — as although medication can make a difference, it 'doesn't necessarily make every symptom disappear.' She adds: 'Some forms of support, such as work or university adjustments, may not always depend on a formal diagnosis either, so it's wise to look into what else is available to you in the meantime.'
Could Something Else Explain How You're Feeling?
ADHD can cause difficulty concentrating, restlessness, forgetfulness and feelings of overwhelm — but neurotypical people also experience these symptoms. In reality, they can be a result of anything from anxiety, depression and autism to poor sleep, stress, trauma, or even hormonal changes. 'That's why I'd always suggest starting with an open conversation,' says Dr Vaida. 'Talk about everything you've been struggling with, not just whether you think it's ADHD. The aim should be to understand what's really going on and get you the right help, whatever that turns out to be.'
Have You Struggled With This Since Childhood?
As the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains, ADHD is a lifelong condition, and a diagnosis rests on symptoms having started before age 12 — even if they aren't identified as such until later. Dr Vaida explains big life changes, from puberty or perimenopause to becoming a parent or retiring, can bring things to the surface. The way ADHD presents itself can change over time too, with hyperactive and impulsive behaviour often turning into issues with attention, organisation and feeling mentally restless with age.
Either way, if your difficulties only started recently, she says 'something else may be more likely to be the cause, and that's important to consider.' 'It's worth thinking back,' Dr Vaida adds. 'Did teachers or family comment on how you focused, organised yourself or behaved when you were younger? Old school reports can be really helpful here, alongside memories from parents or others who knew you as a child.'
Does It Affect More Than One Part of Your Life?
A common argument among those seeking to diminish the experience of people with ADHD is that everyone forgets things or struggles to focus sometimes. The fact is, they're right — but it's not the gotcha they think it is. The key difference is that with ADHD, 'the difficulties are usually ongoing and show up across different areas of life, like work, relationships, money and managing everyday tasks at home, rather than just in one situation.'
Dr Vaida explains: 'It can help to think about how regularly these things happen and the impact they have. Are they getting in the way of your job, your relationships or looking after yourself? If the answer is yes, or if coping is taking everything you have, that's a good reason to speak to someone about it.'
What Are Your Options, and Can You Afford Them?
There are pros and cons for each route to assessment, and considering what they are ahead of time can help you decide which is best. Going via your GP, for example, is free, but the process of being referred to your local NHS specialist service could take months or even years. In England, you may be able to self-refer using Right to Choose, which lets you pick a different NHS-funded provider that may have a shorter wait, but this option isn't always any quicker, so it's a good idea to double check.
Then there's going private, which often gives you answers sooner but comes at a financial cost, both for the assessment itself and ongoing support afterwards. 'It helps to ask what's included and what may come later,' says Dr Vaida. 'If you're hoping for medication, ask whether your GP is likely to agree to shared care, as otherwise you may need to pay for prescriptions privately. That way, you can plan and make sure you can get the support you need once you have your answers.'
Are You Prepared for Any Outcome?
Finally, Dr Vaida urges you to consider how you'll cope with the different outcomes of the assessment, including if it doesn't find ADHD. She says: 'It can be disappointing, especially if you've been sure for a long time. But a good assessment should still help you understand what's going on and point you towards the right support, whatever the outcome.'
Just because it's not ADHD doesn't mean your experiences and feelings are any less real; merely that the clinical label used to describe them is different than you expected. 'Equally, a diagnosis can bring up mixed emotions,' Dr Vaida continues. 'Many people feel a sense of relief, but some may feel sadness or frustration about the years they spent struggling without knowing why. That's completely normal.' Alongside giving yourself time to process, she recommends leaning on loved ones or people who understand what you're going through.
'Whatever the outcome, an assessment should be a starting point, not an end point,' she adds. 'It's part of understanding yourself better, including your needs and strengths, and finding the support or treatment that suits you.'
