ADHD Diagnosis UK

A diagnosis means a qualified clinician has concluded that a person's pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity is persistent, began in childhood, occurs across settings, causes meaningful impairment and is not better explained by another condition. It describes a clinical pattern — it does not define a person's abilities.

UK clinicians use DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria. They are closely aligned.

ADHD may be described as predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined presentation. Presentation can change over a lifetime.

NICE requires a full clinical and psychosocial assessment including symptoms in different settings, a full developmental and psychiatric history, and observer reports. Developmental history establishes childhood onset.

Rating scales (e.g. ASRS, Conners, SNAP-IV) and structured interviews such as DIVA-5 help gather information systematically. NICE is explicit that diagnosis should not be made solely on the basis of rating scales or observational data. The final decision integrates all evidence through clinical judgement.

Conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, learning disorders, sleep disorders and substance misuse must be considered. Coexisting conditions are common and may need their own assessment or treatment.

In children, information from parents/carers and school is central. In adults, the focus is on current impairment plus retrospective evidence of childhood symptoms, ideally corroborated by someone who knew them as a child.

NICE recommends a structured discussion about how ADHD affects the person's life, information and support, and — where appropriate — treatment options including medication. Diagnosis should be shared with the GP with consent.