Private ADHD Assessments

Adult ADHD can affect attention, impulse control and organisation, often impacting work, relationships and everyday life. A private assessment can help you better understand your symptoms and identify the right next steps, without long waiting times. Appointments are available online or in person at our Harley Street clinic.

Do I Have ADHD?

Signs of ADHD in Adults

ADHD can present differently from one person to another, and many people reach adulthood without recognising that their difficulties may be linked to the condition.

Common signs include:

Finding organisation, admin and everyday planning overwhelming

Struggling to begin or complete tasks, even when they are important

Relying on deadlines or a sense of urgency to stay motivated

Losing track of time, frequently running late or underestimating how long tasks will take

Forgetting appointments, misplacing belongings or overlooking important details

Experiencing restlessness, racing thoughts or difficulty switching off at night

Making impulsive decisions, purchases or comments you later regret

Experiencing emotions quickly and intensely, followed by feelings of exhaustion

ADHD symptoms can be less easily recognised in women, meaning they may go unnoticed for many years. Learn more about ADHD in women.

This short screening tool can help you understand whether a full ADHD assessment may be appropriate for you.

How Our Private Adult ADHD Assessment Works

Getting tested for adult ADHD should be clear and straightforward. Our assessment for ADHD provides a thorough, supportive assessment from your first appointment through to diagnosis and, where appropriate, treatment.

Book your appointment

Choose an ADHD assessment online or visit our London clinic, with weekday and weekend appointments available.

Complete screening and pre-assessment forms

Fill in clinically validated screening forms before your appointment. We may also request input from someone who knows you well to help us understand how your symptoms have affected you over time.

Attend your assessment and receive your outcome

During a 60–90-minute consultation, a specialist clinician will assess your symptoms, history and daily life using the DIVA framework, DSM-5 criteria and NICE guidance. You will receive your outcome, written report and proposed treatment plan within five working days.

Begin treatment, if appropriate

If medication is recommended and you decide to proceed, you will begin a titration period with regular reviews from your psychiatrist or one of our specialist ADHD pharmacists. This allows us to find the medication and dose that work best for you. Once your treatment is stable, we may be able to arrange a Shared Care Agreement so your NHS GP can take over routine prescribing.

Private ADHD Assessment Fees

Adult ADHD Assessment - Virtual consultation:

60-90 minutes
£745.00

Adult ADHD Assessment - In person:

60-90 minutes
£1,045

What's included:

Your full diagnostic assessment (extended, or completed at a follow-up at no extra cost, if more time is needed) and a written report with your clinical diagnosis and proposed treatment plan within 5 working days. Our comprehensive ADHD evaluation considers your symptoms, personal history and how these difficulties affect different areas of your life.

Ongoing treatment costs:

If you decide to try medication, follow-up titration reviews for adults are brief 15-minute appointments at £150. Medication costs are paid directly to the dispensing pharmacy. After titration, we can arrange a Shared Care Agreement with your GP. Our shared care plans have been accepted by over 1,600 GP practices across the UK.

Flexible finance:

Spread the cost of your assessment in instalments through Payl8r.

How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult: Your Options

If you are considering an adult ADHD assessment UK service, there are three main routes to an adult ADHD diagnosis in England, depending on how quickly you would like to be seen and whether you prefer private or NHS-funded care. Berkeley Psychiatrists can support you through the first two options.

Private assessment

Usually the quickest route, you can book directly, attend an appointment within days, and receive a full report within five working days. Fees start from £745.

Subscription Model Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

NHS Right to Choose

If you live in England, you can ask your GP to refer you to Berkeley Psychiatrists for an NHS-funded assessment under Right to Choose. There is no cost to you, although waiting times are typically longer than for private appointments.

Standard NHS referral

Alternatively, your GP can refer you to your local NHS ADHD service. This is also NHS-funded, but waiting lists in many areas currently extend to several years.

Whichever route you choose, your assessment will be carried out by a specialist clinician in line with NICE guidance. Berkeley Psychiatrists is registered with the CQC, and diagnoses made by our clinicians are recognised by the NHS. Shared care remains at the discretion of the individual GP practice.

Why Choose Berkeley Psychiatrists?

Checkup Medical Report Clipboard Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Consultant-led care

Assessments are carried out by experienced psychiatrists and specialist clinicians, many with senior NHS experience.

Shield Check Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

CQC registered

Our care is regulated by the CQC, and every assessment follows NICE guidance.

Seen in days, not years

Book online seven days a week. We offer private ADHD assessments at our clinic on Harley Street, London.

Share Heart Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Shared care accepted

More than 1,600 GP practices have accepted our Shared Care Plans, allowing many patients to move routine prescribing to their NHS GP once stable.

Zoom Document Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

No hidden fees

Our pricing is clear from the outset, with flexible payment options available through Payl8r.

Here for the whole journey

From assessment and diagnosis to titration, prescriptions, coaching and reviews, you will have continued support.

Meet Our ADHD Specialists

Your assessment is carried out by experienced consultant psychiatrists and specialist ADHD clinicians, many of whom have held senior NHS roles as Medical Directors, Clinical Directors and Professors.
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Hollie Hearfield
Consultant Psychiatrist
Special interest in ADHD and ASD in Women
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Joanna Woodger
Consultant Psychiatrist
Experienced in Liaison Psychiatry, Perinatal Psychiatry and diagnosing ADHD in adults
Former Clinical Director for Central and North Norfolk at NSFT
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Anudha Dutta
Consultant Psychiatrist
Special interest in neurodiversity in females (ADHD)
Associate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Ian Prenelle
Consultant Psychiatrist
Former Clinical Director at Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
North Central London Clinical Lead Community Mental Health Transformation
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Stroma Macfarlane
Consultant Psychiatrist
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Specialist Register of the General Medical Council
Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) Approved under the Mental Health Act
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Thomas Spencer
Consultant Psychiatrist
Senior Clinical Lecturer at King's College London
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (No. 6163123)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Caroline Colbourne
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Clinical Lead for the Liaison Psychiatry Service at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
PhD in Psychopharmacology and Neuroimaging
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Helen Whitworth
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in Adults
MSc Criminal Justice Policy (Merit) London School of Economics and Political Science
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Taner Guvenir
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (2022)
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Professor Alistair Burns CBE
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Former National Clinical Director for Dementia
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Hugo de Waal
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Former Associate Postgraduate Dean, Postgraduate School of Psychiatry in Cambridge
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Professor Dennis Ougrin
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Global Mental Health at Queen Mary University of London
Visiting professor at King's College London
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Simon Hill
Consultant Psychiatrist
Former Medical Director of Specialist Services In Southern Health
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Claudia Aymerich
Consultant Psychiatrist
Wide experience in diagnosing and managing neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adults, including ASD and ADHD
Fully bilingual in providing care in English and Spanish
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Sourabh Singh
Consultant Psychiatrist
Former Associate Clinical Director at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Specialised in Sleep Disorders and Adult ADHD
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Samantha Child
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Specialist interest in neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental presentations
Leadership experience at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Alice Debelle
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (No. 7265664)
Approved Clinician Status and Section 12(2) approved under the Mental Health Act
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Karolina Szumanska-Ryt
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Approved Clinician Status and approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (2022)
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Katalin Ress
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Holds expertise in psychopharmacological therapies
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Fraser Scott
Consultant Psychiatrist
Specialist in Adult ADHD and Sleep Disorders
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych)
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General Adult Psychiatry with Liaison Psychiatry endorsement
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Laura Gergees
Speech and Language Therapist
Consultant Speech and Language Therapist trained in ADOS-2 and ADI-R
Medico-Legal Expert Witness
Extensive experience assessing autism across the lifespan within multidisciplinary teams
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr David Fearnley
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Former Deputy National Clinical Director for Mental Health at NHS Improvement
Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) Doctor under the Mental Health Act
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Ismail Bensassi
Consultant Psychiatrist
Specialist Associate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Extensive experience in assessing neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Indraja Velickiene
Consultant Psychiatrist
Special interest in the effect of ADHD and ASD in Anxiety
Specialist Associate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Jojo Lee
Specialist ADHD Pharmacist
Qualified Independent Prescriber
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (No. 2073428)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr Leon Cooper
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr Nabeel Cassim
ADHD Specialist Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber
Independent Prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Specialist in adult ADHD assessment, medication titration and long-term treatment planning
Postgraduate Certificate in Psychiatric Therapeutics
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Francesca Fatteri
Consultant Psychiatrist ‍
Experienced in Sleep Disorders and Substance Misuse
Specialist Associate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
This is some text inside of a div block.
Professor Nirvana Kudlur Chandrappa
Clinical Assistant Professor
Experienced in treating a wide range of adult mental health conditions
Specialist in neuromodulation treatments including tDCS and rTMS
Holistic, personalised and evidence-based approach to care
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Kieran Groom
Consultant Psychiatrist
Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) Doctor under the Mental Health Act
UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) certified in adult ADHD assessment and pharmacological treatment
NHS Consultant Psychiatrist leading a multidisciplinary Home Treatment Team
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Victoria Gray
Specialist ADHD Pharmacist
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) (No. 2085944)
Pharmacist Prescriber
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Suzanne Hawkins
Mental Health Nurse Specialist
Member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Arif Alam
Consultant Psychiatrist
Specialist in adult mental health
Former Clinical Director for the Acute General Adult Unit within Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Raja Badrakalimuthu
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Sanjay Jain
Consultant Psychiatrist | Medico-Legal Expert
Member of Fitness to Practice Committee-The Law Society
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
Fellow of the European Board of Psychiatry
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Emily Gage
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Associate Professor (Hon) at the University of East Anglia
Specialist in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Gemma Ridel
Clinical Psychologist
Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Therapist
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Lucy Campbell
Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)
Non-Medical Prescriber
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Hayley Ring
Mental Health Nurse
Non-Medical Prescriber
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Nicole Barrow
ADHD Nurse Specialist
Independent Non-Medical Prescriber
Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (No. 12G1141E)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr Conner McNamara
Mental Health Nurse Prescriber
Qualified mental health nurse with specialist interest in ADHD and autism
Independent non-medical prescriber (V300)
Experience across community mental health and primary care settings
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Georgina Chan
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (No. 6029473)
Approved Clinician Status and Section 12(2) approved under the Mental Health Act
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Alina Vaida
Consultant Psychiatrist
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Approved Clinician Status and approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (2022)
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr May Younis
Consultant Psychiatrist
Specialist in General Adult Psychiatry
Clinical interests span ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, addiction and perinatal mental health
Fluent in both Arabic and English
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Hosam Abed
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dual CCT in General Adult Psychiatry and Old Age Psychiatry
Approved Clinician Status and Section 12(2) approved under the Mental Health Act
Over 18 years of substantive consultant experience
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Hossain Mohammad
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dual CCT in General Adult Psychiatry and Old Age Psychiatry
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Section 12(2) approved under the Mental Health Act
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr Alex Halliday
Mental Health Nurse and Independent Prescriber
NMC registered Mental Health Nurse and Independent Prescriber
Specialist training in adult ADHD assessment and treatment
Over a decade of experience across complex mental health, physical health and neurodevelopmental conditions
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Roma Paul
Consultant Psychiatrist
Medical Lead for Oxfordshire Adult Community Mental Health Services
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych)
Approved Clinician Status and Section 12(2) approved under the Mental Health Act
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Omer Khan
Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
LLM in Mental Health Law
Specialist in Forensic Psychiatry with extensive medico-legal experience
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Jelena Poznakova
Independent Nurse Prescriber
Independent Nurse Prescriber specialising in ADHD
Advanced training with the UK Adult ADHD Network in ADHD assessment and pharmacological treatment
Former senior prescribing role at Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust Memory Services
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Claire Carroll
Mental Health Nurse Prescriber
Mental Health Nurse Prescriber with a specialist interest in ADHD and autism
V300 Non-Medical Prescribing qualification from Liverpool John Moores University
Clinical experience across CAMHS, forensic, and adult mental health services
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Rachel Smart
Mental Health Nurse Independent Prescriber
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Over 20 years’ experience within NHS mental health and specialist ADHD services
Extensive experience in ADHD assessment and treatment across adult mental health settings
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Sarah Jenkins
Registered Mental Health Nurse
Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC PIN 21F1784E)
Specialist in ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions
Extensive experience in offender healthcare and community mental health services
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Sheryl Colclough
Mental Health Nurse Independent Prescriber
Mental Health Nurse with over 22 years of NHS experience
Independent Non-Medical Prescriber with a PgCert in Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Trained in ADOS-2 autism assessments and ADHD assessments
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Kalpana Dein
Consultant Psychiatrist
Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Over 25 years' clinical experience across NHS and private settings
Specialist in adult mental health, ADHD and autism assessments
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Sally Newport
Nurse Independent Prescriber
Nurse Independent Prescriber specialising in ADHD
Extensive experience across NHS and private mental health services
Former Mental Health Service Manager within the North West prison service
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Lisa Perry
Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Registered Mental Health Nurse & Independent Prescriber
Over 20 years’ experience across NHS mental health, children’s services and community healthcare
Specialist in ADHD assessment, diagnosis and medication management across the lifespan
Experienced in ADHD service development and professional training
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Oliver Ralley
General Practitioner with a Special Interest in Adult ADHD
Specialist in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD
Medical degree from the University of Manchester
General Practitioner practising in London with previous experience in Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Andrea De Angelis
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist with over 12 years’ experience across the United Kingdom and Italy
Specialist in Adult ADHD, neuropsychiatric syndromes and functional neurological disorders
Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Sehrish Shafique
Consultant Psychiatrist
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
CCT in General Psychiatry with endorsement in Rehabilitation Psychiatry
PGCert in Medical Education and PLAB 2 Examiner at the General Medical Council
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr Farbod Zoroaster
Independent Prescribing Pharmacist
Independent Prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Specialist in adult ADHD assessment, medication titration, and long-term treatment planning
Extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adult ADHD
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Mohammad Arbabi
Consultant Psychiatrist
Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in Adult ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Neuropsychiatry
Professor of Neuropsychiatry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Author of more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Zong Lai
Consultant Psychiatrist
Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist with a specialist endorsement in Rehabilitation Psychiatry
Approved Clinician and Section 12(2) Doctor under the Mental Health Act
Specialist interest in Adult ADHD and transgender health
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Khurram Riaz
Psychiatrist
Specialist ADHD training through King’s College London
Experience across NHS and Australian healthcare settings
Master’s degree in Public Health
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs. Henal Dravid
Specialist ADHD Pharmacist
Independent Prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Member of the Royal College of Pharmacy
Extensive experience in ADHD treatment across adult mental health settings
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr. Kartik Dravid
Specialist ADHD Pharmacist
Independent Prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
Member of the Royal College of Pharmacy
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Kate Bevan
Registered Mental Health Nurse & Independent Non-Medical Prescriber
Registered Mental Health Nurse with over 25 years of experience
Specialist in ADHD and autism since 2013
MSc in Healthcare Leadership
This is some text inside of a div block.
Miss Basirat Osinaike
Mental Health Specialist Pharmacist & Independent Prescriber
Over eight years of clinical experience across hospital and community settings
Specialist in mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions and ADHD medication management
Locality Lead Pharmacist for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mrs Farzana Mehr
ADHD Specialist Pharmacist & Independent Prescriber
Over a decade of clinical experience across hospital, primary care and remote services, specialising in ADHD medication management.
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Practice, with advanced ADHD training through UKAAN and the ADHD Clinical Academy.
Independent Prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mr Pankaj Patel
Clinical Pharmacist & ADHD Practitioner
Clinical Pharmacist with over 20 years' experience across a wide range of healthcare settings
Specialist in adult ADHD assessment and holistic ADHD care
Specialist Practitioner in gender reassignment and gender-affirming care
This is some text inside of a div block.
Dr Vivek Agarwal
Consultant Psychiatrist
Chief Examiner of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Master's degree in Clinical Psychiatry, University of Leeds

What Our Patients Say

I decided to go private for an ADHD diagnosis as the NHS waiting times for my area were at nearly 3 years. Dr de Waal was amazing and made the whole assessment process a breeze. It was worth every penny going private and I can fully recommend Dr de Waal to anyone!
Laury Coenen
Thank you once again Dr Fatteri and Berkeley Psychiatrists for providing me with an easy to process approach to the diagnosis and also to the steps I'm now taking to changing my life for the better.
Antony O'Sullivan
Adult with ADHD here. Dr Attard helped me understand my symptoms and I’m now waiting for treatment, I’m sure that Berkeley Psychiatrists is a step in the right direction for me, which hopefully can help me finally live life to its full capacity!
Alexander Gilburg
Fantastic service with a straightforward and friendly staff. I have received an excellent service that focuses on the strategies and therapies available. Genuinely happy with my experience so far.
Gareth Leech
I really cannot recommend Berkeley Psychiatrists enough, Dr Singh was absolutely amazing and made me feel very comfortable while delivering an expert level of knowledge. It was well worth paying the money to avoid the years long NHS referral waitlist.
Francesca Lynch
Absolutely changed my life after seeing Dr de Waal. He understood how I think and manage my condition. I am slowly making progress in my career, social and personal life! Totally recommend!
Amanda Abbot

About Adult ADHD

About Adult ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood and can continue into adult life, affecting attention, impulse control and activity levels. It is estimated to affect around 3–4% of UK adults, many of whom remain undiagnosed. ADHD is highly heritable, so it often runs in families, and it can occur alongside autism and other conditions. It is not caused by parenting, diet or screen time; research has identified differences in brain structure and function associated with ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

Adult ADHD symptoms generally fall into three areas: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. This may look like frequently losing focus, leaving tasks unfinished, struggling with organisation or feeling physically restless. Some people experience a constantly busy mind, while others may struggle with impulsive decisions, emotional outbursts, spending, eating, or alcohol use. Procrastination and ongoing fatigue are also common. Although ADHD affects all genders, symptoms are more frequently overlooked in women, which can delay diagnosis until adulthood.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

There is no single test for ADHD. A diagnosis is made through a structured clinical assessment based on DSM-5 criteria. Symptoms must have been present since childhood and affect more than one area of life, such as work, home, or relationships. At Berkeley Psychiatrists, we use the DIVA clinical interview alongside validated rating scales, questionnaires completed by someone who knows you well, and the clinician’s observations.

Conditions That Can Look Like ADHD

Anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and substance use can cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. They can also exist alongside it or make its symptoms harder to recognise. Your psychiatrist will consider these possibilities carefully so that both your diagnosis and treatment plan reflect your individual needs.

How is Adult ADHD Treated?

ADHD can be managed effectively with the right support. Medication is a first-line treatment for many adults, with regular titration reviews used to find the most suitable medication and dose. Non-medication options, including ADHD coaching, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychotherapeutic support, can also help with everyday challenges. Once your treatment is stable, routine prescribing may be transferred to your NHS GP through a Shared Care Agreement.

Adult ADHD Assessment FAQs

How Much Does a Private ADHD Assessment Cost?

Online adult ADHD assessments start from £745, while an in-person assessment at our London clinic starts from £1,045. The fee includes a 60–90-minute diagnostic assessment and a full written report within five working days.

How Quickly Can I Be Assessed?

Appointments are usually available within days, including evenings and weekends. You can attend online or in person, avoiding NHS waiting lists that can extend to several years in some areas.

What Happens in an ADHD Assessment?

Your clinician will conduct a structured 60–90-minute diagnostic interview using the DIVA framework. They will also review your pre-assessment questionnaires, consider information from someone who knows you well and screen for co-occurring conditions. Your symptoms will be assessed against DSM-5 criteria and in line with NICE guidance.

Will the NHS and My GP Accept a Private Diagnosis?

Yes, our CQC-registered assessments are carried out by specialist clinicians in line with NICE guidance. Following titration, more than 1,600 GP practices have accepted our Shared Care Plans for ongoing NHS prescribing. However, shared care remains at the discretion of your individual GP practice.

What Does Untreated ADHD Look Like in Adults?

Without the right support, ADHD can contribute to ongoing disorganisation, difficulties at work or in education, financial problems and strained relationships. It can also affect self-esteem and occur alongside anxiety or depression. Many adults develop demanding coping strategies that mask their symptoms for years.

Can I Develop ADHD Later in Life?

ADHD does not begin in adulthood; it is a neurodevelopmental condition that starts in childhood. However, symptoms may go unnoticed until later, particularly when the structure provided by school or family life falls away and everyday demands increase.

Does ADHD Get Worse as You Get Older?

ADHD itself doesn't necessarily worsen with age, but its impact can, as responsibilities grow and demands on organisation and focus increase. Hyperactivity often becomes less visible in adults, while inattention and internal restlessness persist. Effective treatment improves symptoms at any age.

What Do People With ADHD Struggle With the Most?

Common difficulties include starting and completing tasks, managing time, staying focused on routine work and keeping up with organisation or admin. Emotional regulation and impulsivity can also affect work, relationships and self-esteem.

Can I Use NHS Right to Choose with Berkeley Psychiatrists?

Yes. If you live in England, you can ask your GP to refer you to Berkeley Psychiatrists for an NHS-funded ADHD assessment under Right to Choose. Visit our NHS Right to Choose page to learn how to request a referral.

Book Your Adult ADHD Assessment

Take the first step towards clarity. Book online in minutes, or call our team on 020 3970 0335 with any questions about booking, fees or finance options.