Right to Choose ADHD in Brighton

Women and girls across East Sussex are systematically underdiagnosed. ADHD diagnostic criteria were historically developed from studies of hyperactive boys. Women typically present with the inattentive subtype — quiet, internal, masked by socialisation. Many are told it is anxiety, depression, or personality. By the time they reach a GP near Brighton, they have often been dismissed multiple times.

Right to Choose offers a route to specialist assessment where the clinician understands how ADHD presents in women. But the GP gatekeeping remains. A woman who 'seems fine' in a 10-minute appointment is unlikely to get a referral based on self-report alone. Objective brain data changes this equation entirely. Our qEEG screening measures cortical electrical activity directly — it does not care about socialised masking behaviour. Elevated theta/beta ratio is elevated theta/beta ratio, regardless of how composed you appear in the GP's office.

Our ADHD in women guide covers the hormonal interactions, masking, and diagnostic bias that make this particularly important.

Shared care is the arrangement where a specialist prescribes and stabilises ADHD medication, then transfers ongoing prescribing to your GP. This is how ADHD medication is managed long-term in the UK — the specialist handles initiation and titration, the GP handles repeat prescriptions and monitoring.

Most GPs near Brighton accept shared care from established Right to Choose providers. The key factors are: the diagnosing clinician is GMC-registered, the assessment meets NICE NG87 standards, the provider is CQC-registered, and the shared care protocol is clear and well-documented. Psychiatry-UK has formal shared care agreements accepted by the vast majority of GP practices.

In the small number of cases where a GP declines shared care, options include: requesting a different GP at the same practice, registering with a different practice, or the diagnosing provider continuing to prescribe privately while you pursue resolution. This is rare but our next steps guide covers it in detail.

For adults near Brighton who have never been assessed, the preparation focuses on demonstrating lifelong symptoms. ADHD is a developmental condition — NICE guidelines require evidence that symptoms were present before age 12. Gather: old school reports (comments like 'easily distracted' or 'does not fulfil potential'), a written childhood history from a parent or family member, examples of current functional impairment across work, relationships, and daily life.

Our brain screening report adds the neurological dimension that no other evidence provides. While self-report and history tell the story of your lived experience, the theta/beta ratio tells the story of your brain's electrical activity — and the two stories should align if ADHD is present. GPs near Brighton respond to this combination of subjective narrative and objective measurement.

After referral, expect a DIVA-5 structured interview (a standardised diagnostic tool for adult ADHD), questionnaires, and a comprehensive clinical formulation. If diagnosed, medication options include stimulants (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine, guanfacine).

The Psychiatry-UK assessor who conducts your Right to Choose assessment will review all available evidence before the appointment. Most patients arrive with questionnaires and a GP referral letter. You will arrive with those plus objective neurological data that no other patient typically brings. This does not guarantee diagnosis — that is a clinical decision based on the full picture. But it gives the assessor an additional evidence dimension that enhances the assessment quality and efficiency.

Several assessors have told clients that our reports are among the most detailed screening documents they receive. The z-scores, frequency band analysis, and Go/No-Go attention data provide a neurocognitive profile that complements the clinical interview. The assessment becomes a richer, more informed process.

A third option is fully private assessment (£700–£1,500), which has the shortest wait (2–8 weeks) but you pay the full cost. Many people from Brighton combine approaches: brain screening (£595–£845) + Right to Choose assessment (free) + Access to Work support (free). Total out-of-pocket: the screening only. View all pricing options.

We provide Right to Choose evidence for children aged 6+, teenagers, adults, and women & girls who are systematically underdiagnosed by questionnaire-based assessment.

Each person is compared against age-matched normative data from published research. The clinical letter is tailored for Right to Choose referral submissions, with z-scores, peer-reviewed citations, and specific recommendations your GP can act on immediately.

View packages: standard screening (£595) · comprehensive (£845) · family package (£1,095) · all pricing

After your screening: ADHD support hub · results explained · what to do next · GP appointment guide · medication guide · coping strategies · workplace rights · ADHD in women · parent's guide · relationships guide · sleep guide · exercise & ADHD