The waiting time for an ADHD diagnosis is one of the biggest challenges in the Danish healthcare system today. Thousands of adult Danes wait for months \u2013 and in some cases several years \u2013 to have their ADHD diagnosed. This has far-reaching consequences for their well-being, working life and quality of life.<\/p>\n
According to the Danish Health Authority, the average waiting time for practicing psychiatrists in the period 2022-2023 was 19.4 weeks for adults. However, behind this figure are large regional differences and significant variations depending on which psychiatrist you are referred to.<\/p>\n
In 2023, the ADHD Association documented that the waiting time for an assessment had increased to up to 84 weeks \u2013 almost 20 months. This dramatic increase comes on top of an already stressful situation, where the waiting time had doubled in just one year. A study by Politiken in October 2025 showed even more alarming figures: For most practicing psychiatrists, the waiting time is now more than two years, and in some places it exceeds five years.<\/p>\n
IN\u00a0North Jutland Region<\/strong>\u00a0The situation was particularly critical, with waiting times of up to 192 weeks for young people and 170 weeks for children in July 2025. However, confusion later arose about the figures when the region admitted that the stated waiting times were misleading. The actual average waiting time was 173 days \u2013 still significantly above the legal requirement, but significantly shorter than the stated 173 weeks.<\/p>\n IN\u00a0Region of Southern Denmark<\/strong>\u00a0has responded to the long waiting times by establishing new ADHD clinics targeting adults with mild to moderate ADHD. The first clinic opened in Grindsted in late summer 2025. The region has also entered into new agreements with practicing psychiatrists to increase capacity.<\/p>\n Although patients are legally entitled to be assessed within 30 days of referral to psychiatry, this right is far from always fulfilled. The National Audit Office pointed out in a critical report that around 70 percent of the courses in child and adolescent psychiatry did not comply with the statutory 30 days. The situation is no better for adults, where the average assessment time in 2022 had increased to 115 days \u2013 almost four times longer than the legal requirement.<\/p>\n When the waiting time exceeds 30 days, the region must offer the patient an assessment at another public or private hospital through the expanded free hospital choice. In practice, however, this right is difficult to exercise, as private hospitals and practicing psychiatrists also often have long waiting lists.<\/p>\n The primary reason for the long wait times is a significant increase in demand for psychiatric treatment, especially for ADHD. The Danish Health Authority documented that the number of users of ADHD medication increased by 85 percent for adults between 2020 and 2023. In 2024, the increase was a whopping 24 percent compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n There is a particularly strong increase among women. While over 60 percent of ADHD medication users ten years ago were men, in 2024 there was actually a slight preponderance of women \u2013 66,730 women compared to 66,560 men. Among adult women under 30, the number of users has more than doubled in ten years.<\/p>\n The increased demand is combined with a shortage of specialists in psychiatry. The Medical Association's demand analysis shows that there is a shortage of 444 specialists in psychiatry across the country. At the same time, practicing psychiatrists prioritize patients with acute symptoms such as anxiety and depression, while patients with suspected ADHD often have to wait longer.<\/p>\n Waiting months or years for an ADHD diagnosis has serious consequences. The ADHD Association reports that patients experience a worsening of their condition during the waiting period, develop additional difficulties such as anxiety and depression, have difficulty completing education and are on sick leave from their jobs. For many, family life is also negatively affected.<\/p>\n Untreated ADHD in adults is associated with an increased risk of mental and physical comorbidity, lower educational attainment and work capacity, and an increased risk of accidents and substance abuse. Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD have struggled with general distress and significant functional impairment throughout their childhood. Self-medication with alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs is common among untreated ADHD sufferers.<\/p>\n Research shows that late diagnosis increases the risk of psychiatric comorbidity and substance abuse, while early diagnosis increases the likelihood of employment. This emphasizes the importance of prompt assessment and treatment.<\/p>\n For those who cannot or do not want to wait for the public system, there are private alternatives. Several private psychiatric clinics offer ADHD assessment with significantly shorter waiting times \u2013 often 1-2 weeks for the first consultation.<\/p>\n The price for a private examination varies, but is typically between DKK 12,000 and DKK 27,000, depending on the clinic's examination package. Some clinics offer particularly fast courses, where the entire examination can be completed in 1-2 weeks. Package courses that combine examination and treatment typically cost between DKK 20,000 and DKK 32,000.<\/p>\n Although the price is a barrier for many, more and more people are choosing the private route to avoid the long waiting times in the public system.<\/p>\n If you are waiting for an investigation in the public system, there are several things you can do to improve your situation:<\/p>\n Seek knowledge and understanding<\/strong>: Read books, watch videos, and follow trusted sources about ADHD. The more you understand about ADHD, the better equipped you will be to manage your symptoms and navigate the evaluation process. The ADHD Association offers valuable resources and information on their website.<\/p>\n Create structure in everyday life<\/strong>: Use a paper calendar or digital reminders to keep track of appointments and tasks. Establish regular routines for sleep, meals, and activities. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable parts.\u200b<\/p>\n Prioritize physical and mental health<\/strong>: Regular exercise can reduce stress and improve concentration. A healthy diet, adequate sleep, and limiting alcohol and caffeine support brain function.\u200b<\/p>\n Talk to someone<\/strong>: Share your challenges with friends, family or a support group. The ADHD Association offers online group sessions for people waiting for an assessment. Telephone counselling is also available at 53 72 99 00.<\/p>\n Seek psychological help<\/strong>: Even if you don't have a diagnosis yet, a psychologist can help you understand your symptoms and develop coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation are key parts of ADHD treatment, and these don't necessarily require an official diagnosis.\u200b<\/p>\n Prepare for the investigation<\/strong>: Write down your symptoms, gather information about your childhood from parents or siblings, and think about how ADHD has affected different areas of your life. This can make the assessment interviews more productive.<\/p>\n The government and the parties in the Danish Parliament have adopted a comprehensive 10-year plan for psychiatry with a historic boost of 4.6 billion kroner towards 2030. The plan focuses, among other things, on better help for people with ADHD and autism, where waiting times are currently too long.<\/p>\n As part of the plan, a proposal will be prepared on how efforts for ADHD and autism can be strengthened across sectors. The proposal will build on existing guidelines and course descriptions and ensure that the efforts are adapted to both children, young people and adults.<\/p>\n Several regions have also taken local initiatives. The Region of Southern Denmark has allocated DKK 10 million annually for new ADHD clinics, expanded the capacity of practicing psychiatrists and entered into new financial agreements that make it more attractive for psychiatrists to take in more patients. The Region of North Jutland has entered into an agreement with Hejmdal Private Hospital to help with assessment courses for at least 55 children and young people each month.<\/p>\n Waiting times for ADHD assessments are a systemic problem that requires both short-term and long-term solutions. In the short term, increased capacity among practicing psychiatrists, collaboration with private providers, and better resource utilization can help. In the longer term, more specialists in psychiatry are needed, better cross-sectoral collaboration, and more easily accessible treatment options in municipalities.<\/p>\n For the individual waiting for an assessment, it is important to remember that help is available \u2013 both through the ADHD Association, private psychologists and your own coping strategies. Although the wait is frustrating and often unbearable, you can take steps to improve your situation today.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The waiting time for an ADHD diagnosis is currently one of the biggest challenges in the Danish healthcare system. Thousands of adult Danes wait for months \u2013 and in some cases several years \u2013 to have it clarified whether they have ADHD. This has far-reaching consequences for their well-being, working life and quality of life. Waiting times vary drastically across the country \u2026 <\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-viden"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe legal requirement of a 30-day investigation is rarely complied with<\/h2>\n
Why are the waiting times so long?<\/h2>\n
The consequences of long waiting times<\/h2>\n
Private alternatives with shorter waiting times<\/h2>\n
What can you do while you wait?<\/h2>\n
Policy measures to reduce waiting times<\/h2>\n
The way forward<\/h2>\n