my patient advice logo - used for header - mypatientadvice.co.uk
All Topics
Contact Us
Free Health Updates
Table of Contents
< All Topics
Print

Should I push for an ADHD evaluation even if the doctor hesitates? 

PostedOctober 16, 2025
UpdatedOctober 16, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

When seeking an ADHD evaluation request, it can be disheartening if your concerns are met with hesitation. However, if you genuinely feel your symptoms are affecting your daily life, it is reasonable to advocate for yourself. 

Get a personalised assessment for ADHD

How It Helps to Be Persistent and Clear 

Being assertive about your needs doesn’t mean being confrontational. It means staying focused on getting support. 

Describe Specific Impacts 

Share clear examples of how your difficulties with focus, time management or impulsivity affect work, relationships or personal well-being. This can strengthen your ADHD evaluation request and help your doctor understand your reasoning. 

Refer to History, Not Labels 

Instead of saying, “I think I have ADHD,” you could say, “These challenges have been ongoing for years and are becoming harder to manage.” This shows that you’re not chasing a label, but rather advocating for assessment based on long-term patterns. 

Reaffirm Your Goal 

Let your doctor know you’re seeking clarity and support, not a quick fix. This shows maturity and reinforces your persistence with doctor ADHD in a respectful way. 

Pushing for an evaluation is valid when you approach it with insight, calm and consistency. You deserve to be heard and taken seriously. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert advice tailored to your needs.    

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to How to talk to doctors or get assessed. 

Get a personalised assessment for ADHD
Harriet Winslow, BSc - My patient advice author - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Harriet Winslow, BSc
Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS, author and a reviewer for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.