Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a spectrum disorder – you can have these symptoms in ways that are mild, moderate or severe.

Each person with ADHD will experience symptoms differently.

Symptoms of ADHD can be put into three different categories:

  • Inattentiveness – having a very short attention span, being easily distracted, being unable to concentrate, have difficulty following instructions, finding it hard to really listen to people when they’re talking to you, difficulty with organisation or being unable to finish tasks;
  • Hyperactivity – being unable to sit still, feeling restless and fidgety, always being on the move, being very chatty and often interrupting other people;
  • Impulsiveness – being unable to wait your turn (e.g. in a game, queue, conversation), acting without thinking first, failure to think about consequences and little or no sense of danger (e.g. around traffic).

When to seek help

If you feel like these sorts of symptoms are starting to disrupt your everyday life or are affecting relationships, it may be time to get support.

Self referral

Unfortunately due to the complexity of this condition and or the need for supporting documentation from your GP it is not possible to self-refer for ADHD. ADHD can affect your mental health in ways such as an increase in anxiety. If you would like support with anxiety or another condition that we accept self referrals for, please go to the relevant health topic page where you will find further information on the condition, a link to self-refer and self-help resources.

Referral via your GP

All referrals for assessment of ADHD require you to make an appointment with your GP to discuss a referral for assessment of ADHD. Your GP will make a referral which will then be assessed if appropriate.

Your GP cannot refer you without a completed school and parent report, which must have been completed within 6 months of your GP appointment. Please take these with you to your GP appointment. Links to forms are below.

Please provide detailed information on the forms about the difficulties your child is experiencing at home and school. This information will help us understand your child or young person’s needs to ensure the best outcome for a referral into the service. Schools and parents should work together to complete the referral forms.

Referral Forms (Electronic versions):

Parent-Carer Questionnaire – ALL AGES 

School Questionnaire – SECONDARY SCHOOL

Referral Forms (Manual versions):

Parent-Carer Questionnaire – ALL AGES

School Questionnaire – SECONDARY SCHOOL

Self referral

It is not possible to self refer for this condition.

Contact your GP (between 8am to 6pm) for a GP referral or if you require urgent help then you can refer yourself to the Central Access Point (CAP) on their 24-hour phone line on 0808 800 3302. Please note however that the CAP line is not an emergency service. Where there is an immediate, serious, and life-threatening emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.

If you do not require urgent or emergency help then please make an appointment to see your GP.  Please also read the advice on this page and the self help resources below.

Self help resources

We have put together a list of specialist organisations that may be able to offer you additional support.

View self help resources