How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your consultation you will receive questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then go over them. This will help to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you are having trouble staying focused, calming down or controlling your emotions, it's recommended to talk to a doctor about whether ADHD could be the problem. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way the brain performs. It is important to keep in mind that there are other issues that may be causing your issues and should be considered before you are able to be diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, the specialist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and how they impact your life. Then, they will determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will consider how your symptoms interfere with your daily life, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychologists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to tell you in a short time if you meet the criteria. If they are not sure they'll take an extensive psychiatric assessment and examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that could be associated with ADHD as well as the conditions that can cause a misdiagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
If you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers can provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or you can call directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is essential to you, make sure they offer this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is worth checking with your GP to see what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD and you suspect it, you could inquire with your GP to refer you to an assessment. cost of adhd assessment uk is important to note that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only relay your symptoms and ask for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
You can be evaluated by psychiatrists. This specialist will ask you questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based upon the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for a lot of people. This is due to the stigma that is associated with the condition and the lack of awareness among health professionals. Certain groups of people may be subject to discrimination when they seek help for their symptoms, for example, people of color, women assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no test that can prove the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the cause there are many who are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can result in significant issues with personal and professional relationships and also with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service, you can choose to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about timeframes for waiting, contact the service providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for those suffering from ADHD. These include medication, psychosocial aid, or both. The most appropriate choice for each individual will be based on their specific needs and situation. While medication can ease symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD could benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in school or workplace settings. This can be done under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of mental health which often occur alongside or mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by reviewing the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from those who know the person well, such as family members and friends.
If a specialist believes that the patient is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They are available in pills or injections and may have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat side effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss which are often associated with ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to manage anxiety or depression.
GPs must be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously, and they are legally obliged to refer patients for an assessment and treatment whenever required. However, the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to clear according to an investigation by the BBC by submitting FOI requests. This is a long time to wait for an essential service. Many people opt to take the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to receive an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness, and they'll ask you why you believe you may have ADHD. You may be asked to take an assessment test to determine if you are eligible to be seen. Once your GP agrees to refer you, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The demand for this service is the reason some areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you are concerned about the amount of time you have to wait for an appointment, you might consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will allow them to be aware of the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is acted upon. Here is a sample of the letter from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and look over your mental health history to rule out any other medical conditions that could be causing your ADHD-related symptoms. They will also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The assessment could take between 45 and 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video calls.
You may be eligible for medication on the NHS when your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However it's only feasible if you're able get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have an GP who is willing to refer you to them, or you'd like to cut down the wait time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.
Alternatively, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that do not run the service) or by contacting them.