How do you ask your GP for an ADHD referral?
Short answer
Book a GP appointment, say plainly that you would like to be assessed for ADHD, and explain how your difficulties affect work, study, home, or relationships. Bring written examples from both childhood and now. The GP will ask about your symptoms and may consider other explanations before referring you to a specialist. In England, you can also ask about choosing your provider.
GP appointments are short, and it is easy to come out having said less than you meant to. Preparing a few notes and one clear sentence of what you are asking for makes a big difference. This page is written for readers in the UK, where the GP is usually the way into an adult ADHD assessment.
What the NHS says the GP will do
Before the appointment
- Write one opening sentence, such as: "I would like to be referred for an adult ADHD assessment."
- List three or four concrete examples of how things affect you now, at work, at home, or with money or relationships.
- Add a few examples from school or childhood, even rough ones.
- Note anything else relevant: sleep, mood, anxiety, medicines, other diagnoses.
- If you have taken a screener, bring the result as one item, not the whole case.
In the room
Lead with your request, then the examples. Hand over your notes if talking under pressure is hard; many GPs are happy to read a short page. Answer questions about mood and anxiety openly. The GP has to think about other explanations, and that is part of a careful process, not a sign of disbelief.
- The main way this affects my life right now is...
- People have told me since childhood that I...
- I have tried these things on my own, and this is what happened...
Choosing where you are referred (England)
If the GP says no or wants to wait
Ask what the reason is and what would change their view. They may want to address sleep, mood, or another issue first, or may ask you to come back with more information. You can also ask to see a different GP in the practice. If you feel your request was not properly considered, the practice will have a complaints process.
After the referral is made
Ask which service the referral is going to and how they will contact you. Write the date down. If you have heard nothing after a while, a call to the practice or the service to check the referral arrived is perfectly reasonable. Use the waiting time to gather any school reports and to keep brief notes on how your week goes, which will be useful at the assessment.
A starting point for your next step.
Take the free six-question ASRS screener before your GP visit so you have a short summary of the past six months to hand over.Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prove I have ADHD to get referred?
No. Your GP needs enough information to judge whether a specialist assessment is appropriate. Clear examples of how your difficulties affect daily life are what help most.
Will a screener result be enough for a referral?
Usually not on its own. It can support your examples, but GPs will want to hear about your history and how things affect you now.
Can I ask for a referral if I was diagnosed as a child?
Yes. The NHS says that if you were diagnosed in childhood, you can ask your GP for a referral for support as an adult.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- NHS, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults
- Royal College of Psychiatrists, "ADHD in adults" (Public Engagement Editorial Board, published June 2023)
- NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management
- NHS website (nhs.uk), "Your choices in the NHS"
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.