What to Say to Your GP About ADHD - UK Script and Preparation Guide

The first two minutes of your appointment set the tone for everything that follows. GPs work under time pressure, so being clear and direct from the start helps them understand what you need.

Open with something like: "I have been researching adult ADHD and I believe I may have it. I would like to discuss a referral for a formal assessment." This is direct, respectful, and immediately tells the GP what the appointment is about.

Avoid starting with a long history of your life. Instead, briefly summarise why you think ADHD is relevant. For example: "I have struggled with focus, organisation, and time management my entire life. These difficulties have affected my work, my relationships, and my ability to manage daily tasks. I have done research into adult ADHD and the symptoms match my experience closely."

If you have completed a screening tool such as the ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale), mention it early: "I completed the ASRS screening tool and scored above the threshold for likely ADHD. I have brought a copy for you." This shows you have done your homework and gives the GP something concrete to review.

Do not apologise for being there. Do not say "I know this might sound silly" or "I am probably wasting your time." You are a patient seeking help for symptoms that are affecting your quality of life. That is exactly what GP appointments are for.

Evidence transforms your appointment from a vague conversation into a structured clinical discussion. The more specific and documented your evidence, the harder it is for a GP to dismiss your concerns.

Bring a completed ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale). This is a validated screening tool that takes about five minutes to complete. You can find it free online. Print two copies - one for the GP and one for yourself. If your score is above the threshold, circle the total and mention it explicitly.

Write a one-page summary of your key symptoms. Organise them under headings like Focus, Organisation, Time Management, Emotional Regulation, and Impulsivity. Under each heading, give two or three specific examples from your daily life. For instance, under Focus: "I regularly lose track of conversations mid-sentence. I have been formally warned at work twice for missed deadlines despite working late every night."

If you have school reports from childhood, bring them. Comments like "easily distracted," "does not apply herself," "capable but inconsistent," or "daydreams in class" are powerful evidence that your symptoms started in childhood, which is a diagnostic requirement for ADHD.

If a partner, parent, or close friend has noticed your symptoms, ask them to write a brief statement. Third-party observations carry weight in clinical settings. Something like: "I have known Sarah for 15 years and she has always struggled with lateness, losing things, and forgetting commitments despite clearly wanting to do better."

Finally, if you have tried self-help strategies that have not worked (planners, apps, alarms, routines), mention these. It shows the GP that your difficulties are not simply a matter of trying harder.

Having a script does not mean reading robotically from a piece of paper. It means having key phrases ready so you do not freeze or stumble when the moment arrives. Here are scripts for different stages of the conversation.

Opening script: "Thank you for seeing me today. I would like to discuss the possibility that I have ADHD. I have been experiencing significant difficulties with attention, organisation, and emotional regulation for as long as I can remember, and these are now seriously affecting my work and personal life. I have done some research and completed a screening tool, and I would like to request a referral for a formal assessment."

If the GP asks what symptoms you have: "My main difficulties are sustained attention - I cannot focus on tasks for more than a few minutes without getting distracted. I also struggle badly with time management and organisation. I frequently miss appointments, lose important items, and forget tasks I have committed to. These are not occasional problems - they happen every single day and have done since childhood."

If the GP seems receptive: "I would like to use my Right to Choose under the NHS Act 2006 and be referred to a provider like Psychiatry-UK or Clinical Partners. I understand the local NHS waiting list is very long and I would like to access assessment more quickly through this route."

If the GP pushes back: "I understand your concerns, but I believe my symptoms warrant a specialist assessment. I am not asking you to diagnose me - I am asking for a referral so that a specialist can make that determination. I have a legal right to access this assessment and I would like to exercise that right."

If the GP suggests waiting or trying therapy first: "I appreciate the suggestion, but ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition and therapy alone would not address the underlying cause. I would like to be assessed first, and then we can discuss the best treatment plan based on the specialist's findings."

Knowing the most common GP responses in advance helps you stay calm and prepared. Here are the things you are most likely to hear, and how to handle each one.

"You seem fine to me." - ADHD is an internal experience. People with ADHD often appear competent on the surface because they have spent years developing coping strategies. Your response: "ADHD is not always visible from the outside. I have learned to mask my difficulties, but that does not mean they are not there. The impact on my daily life is significant, and I would like a specialist to assess me properly."

"You would have been diagnosed as a child." - This is one of the most common and most incorrect things GPs say. Many adults, particularly women, were never assessed as children because their presentation did not match the hyperactive stereotype. Your response: "Many adults with ADHD were not identified in childhood, especially women and people with the inattentive presentation. Late diagnosis is very common and well-documented in the clinical literature."

"ADHD is overdiagnosed these days." - There is no evidence that ADHD is overdiagnosed in the UK. In fact, the opposite is true - most UK adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed. Your response: "I understand that concern, but I am not asking for a diagnosis today. I am asking for a referral to a specialist who can properly assess me. If I do not have ADHD, the assessment will confirm that."

"Try these lifestyle changes first." - While good sleep, exercise, and diet can help anyone, they do not treat ADHD. Your response: "I have already tried many strategies including planners, routines, and apps. They help a little but do not address the core difficulties I experience. I would like to be assessed so we can determine the right approach."

"Our practice does not do Right to Choose referrals." - This is not a valid reason to refuse. All GP practices in England are required to facilitate Right to Choose referrals. Your response: "Right to Choose is a statutory right under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006. All GP practices in England are required to process these referrals. I would like to proceed with this, please."

Timing matters when bringing up Right to Choose. Mentioning it too early can put some GPs on the defensive before you have even discussed your symptoms. Mentioning it too late means you might run out of appointment time.

The ideal approach is to discuss your symptoms first, establish that you want a referral for assessment, and then mention Right to Choose as the route you would like to take. This way, the GP has already mentally agreed that a referral is appropriate before you specify the pathway.

If your GP agrees to a referral without you mentioning Right to Choose, they will likely default to the local NHS service. At that point, ask: "What is the current waiting time for the local service?" If it is more than a few months, follow up with: "In that case, I would like to use my Right to Choose and be referred to Psychiatry-UK (or another provider) instead."

If your GP is already familiar with Right to Choose (many are, especially in 2026), they may offer it proactively. In that case, simply confirm: "Yes, I would like to go through Right to Choose, please."

For more detailed information on the Right to Choose process, visit our sister site at rightochooseadhd.co.uk which has a complete step-by-step guide to the referral process.

How you present yourself matters. This is not about performing or pretending - it is about making sure your genuine concerns come across clearly in a short appointment.

Speak calmly and at a measured pace. If you tend to rush when nervous (common with ADHD), practise slowing down beforehand. Take a breath between sentences. This helps the GP absorb what you are saying rather than feeling overwhelmed by information.

Maintain eye contact when you can, but do not force it if it feels unnatural. Looking at your notes occasionally is perfectly fine and actually signals preparation rather than weakness.

Sit upright and avoid fidgeting with your phone or bag. If you need to fidget (again, very common with ADHD), hold a pen or a small object below the desk line. The goal is to appear engaged and serious about your request.

Keep your tone factual rather than emotional. While it is completely valid to feel frustrated or upset about your symptoms, an overly emotional presentation can lead some GPs to consider anxiety or depression as the primary issue rather than ADHD. Save the emotional context for the specialist assessment where it will be properly understood.

If you feel yourself getting flustered or losing track, refer to your notes. Say: "Let me check my notes to make sure I cover everything." This is completely normal and shows thorough preparation.

There are certain phrases and approaches that can work against you in a GP appointment. Avoiding these will help keep your appointment productive and focused.

Do not say: "I think I have ADHD because I saw it on TikTok" or "I read about it online and it sounds like me." While social media has genuinely helped many people recognise their ADHD, framing it this way can make a GP dismiss your concerns as a trend rather than a clinical issue. Instead, say: "I have been researching adult ADHD through clinical resources and the symptoms closely match my lifelong experience."

Do not list medication names or ask for specific drugs. Saying "I want Elvanse" or "Can you prescribe me Ritalin" will immediately raise red flags. Medication decisions come after diagnosis, not before. Focus entirely on getting the referral for assessment.

Do not exaggerate your symptoms or claim things that are not true. If the GP or specialist later discovers inconsistencies, it undermines your entire case. Honest, specific examples of real difficulties are far more powerful than exaggerated claims.

Do not be confrontational or aggressive, even if you feel dismissed. Phrases like "You have to refer me" or "I will complain about you" put the GP on the defensive and make the appointment adversarial. Firm and polite is the approach that works. Assert your rights without attacking the person in front of you.

Do not compare yourself to someone else who was diagnosed. "My friend has ADHD and I am just like her" is not clinically useful. Focus on your own symptoms, your own history, and your own daily impact.

If your GP agrees to a referral, the next steps depend on which route you are taking. If you are using Right to Choose, your GP will submit a referral to your chosen provider. You will typically receive confirmation within one to two weeks, either by email or letter.

Make sure you get clear confirmation of what the GP has agreed to do. Before leaving, ask: "Can you confirm you are submitting a Right to Choose referral to [provider name] today?" and "How will I know the referral has been sent?"

If your GP refuses the referral, do not panic. You have several options. First, ask them to record their refusal and the reason in your medical notes. This creates a paper trail. Second, request a second opinion from another GP at the same practice. Third, if no GP at your practice will refer you, consider registering with a different practice.

You can also escalate to NHS England or contact ADHD UK, a charity that advocates for people seeking ADHD assessment. In many cases, a formal complaint or the threat of one is enough to prompt a referral.

While you wait for your assessment appointment, start preparing. Our guide on how to prepare for your ADHD assessment covers exactly what to expect and what evidence to gather. You can also visit adhdnextstep.co.uk for practical next steps after your GP appointment.

My ADHD Path was built specifically to help UK adults navigate the ADHD system. Our tools are designed to make your GP appointment as productive as possible.

My Navigator walks you through your symptoms in a structured way and helps you build a clear picture of how ADHD affects your daily life. The output is a summary you can take to your GP appointment.

My Letter Templates include GP referral request letters that reference your Right to Choose rights and present your case clearly and professionally. If your GP has refused a referral, we have follow-up letter templates too.

My Pro AI Chat lets you practise your GP conversation before the appointment. You can describe your situation and get feedback on how to present your case most effectively. It is like a rehearsal with someone who understands both ADHD and the UK healthcare system.