Preparing well helps your clinician see the full picture, and it helps you feel less anxious on the day. Preparing means gathering evidence about your life, not rehearsing answers. This checklist is for adults; for children see child ADHD assessment: how it works. If you want to know what happens in the appointment itself, read what to expect at a private ADHD assessment.
One to two weeks before
Complete the pre-assessment pack
At Private ADHD®, once your assessment is booked you receive a pre-assessment pack. It includes medical history forms, lifestyle and sleep questionnaires, and questions about current or past mental health. Do it early, not the night before.
Take basic health readings
You will be asked for blood pressure, weight and height. Many pharmacies offer blood pressure checks.
Gather old documents
School reports, previous assessments, letters from other services and a list of current medicines are all useful. School reports often show patterns (“bright but easily distracted”) from long before adulthood. The written comments matter more than the grades, especially when the same point comes up year after year.
If you want copies of your GP records, you can ask your practice. The Information Commissioner’s Office says organisations usually have one month to respond to a subject access request, so ask early.
Ask someone who knew you as a child
ADHD starts in childhood. A parent, older sibling or relative may remember things you do not. Ask them a few questions and note their answers. They are not being asked whether you have ADHD, only what they noticed, so ask them to be honest rather than helpful.
Why childhood evidence matters
The diagnostic criteria used in the UK require that several symptoms were present before the age of 12, and NICE guideline NG87 says a diagnosis should be based on a full developmental and psychiatric history, observer reports and an assessment of your mental state.
The clinician is not doubting you when they ask about childhood. They are checking whether something that started later, such as poor sleep, low mood, anxiety or a period of heavy stress, explains your difficulties better. That part of the assessment protects you from the wrong answer. Adult ADHD often overlaps with anxiety and sleep problems, which is why the questions go wide.
Write down examples
Clinicians need real examples, not just labels. For each area, jot down two or three specific situations:
- Work or study. Missed deadlines, unfinished projects, trouble starting tasks, or feedback from appraisals.
- Home and daily life. Bills, paperwork, housework, lost keys or forgotten appointments.
- Relationships. Interrupting, losing track of conversations, or forgetting plans and promises.
- Money. Impulsive spending, late payments or subscriptions you forgot to cancel.
- Driving and safety. Lapses in attention, near misses or speeding.
- Emotions. Quick frustration, feeling overwhelmed, or how you cope when things go wrong.
Bring the list to your appointment. It is normal to forget things when nervous.
What if there is nobody to ask?
Parents may have died, be unwell or be estranged. Some people grew up in care, were adopted or moved countries. None of this stops you from being assessed. The clinician will take a more detailed history from you, and other people can help: a partner, a close friend, an aunt, or someone who has known you since your late teens. Written records such as school reports can also stand in for a parent’s account.
Mention it in your pre-assessment pack so the clinician can plan for it rather than discover it on the day.
The day before
- Test your camera, microphone and internet connection on the device you will use.
- Find a quiet, private room where you will not be interrupted.
- Have your notes, examples, school reports and medication list to hand.
- Check the appointment time and the link you have been sent.
- Get a good night’s sleep, and plan to eat and drink normally beforehand.
Our guide to how an online ADHD assessment works explains the video call in more detail.
On the day
Your consultation typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Be honest, including about the things that feel embarrassing. There are no right answers, and you do not need to “prove” anything. If you need a break, ask.
Be wary of online content that coaches you on which symptoms to mention. A diagnosis reached by giving the right answers is not a good outcome: it can mean taking medication that will not help, while the real cause goes unexamined. The most useful answer is what actually happened, with all the untidy detail.
Afterwards
You receive a written report within 10 working days, with recommendations for next steps. If you are diagnosed and choose medication, the next stage is titration; see ADHD titration: what to expect. If you hope your GP will take over prescribing later, read will the NHS accept a private ADHD diagnosis?
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop any medication before my assessment?
Do not stop any prescribed medication without speaking to the prescriber. Tell your assessing clinician what you take.
Can I bring someone with me?
Ask us in advance if you would like someone to join, so the clinician can plan for it.
What if I cannot get school reports?
That is common. Your clinician will use the other information available, including what other people remember and your own detailed account.
Do I need my parents for an ADHD assessment?
No. A parent is helpful but not essential. A partner, sibling, friend or written records can provide the outside view.
Can I take a free test first?
Yes. Try our free online adult ADHD test. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
Conclusion
You do not need a perfect file. Complete the pre-assessment pack early, gather what you can find in a couple of hours, write down real examples, and talk to whoever knew you best. That gives your clinician a real chance of reaching the right answer.
Every Private ADHD® assessment is carried out online by secure video call. You can meet our clinicians on our team page, see each step on our online ADHD assessment page, or contact our team with any questions before you book.
General information only, not medical advice.
.svg)
