The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health system will cover your medication and assessment should you opt to take the NHS route. The NHS is notorious for its long wait times.
You can also have your ADHD assessment privately funded by the 'Right of Choice option in England. However, the services you can choose must be clinically appropriate and must not cost more than an NHS one.
1. In-person assessment
During the assessment, you will work with a senior psychiatrist to understand your thoughts presentation, experiences and experience. You will be asked questions about your family background as well as any mental issues you've faced in the past. The psychiatrist will then collect information from a number of sources such as symptom checklists and scales of behavior rating as well as speaking to you and your family members or close friends about how ADHD symptoms can affect you in various settings.
Based on the healthcare professional's judgement, it may be necessary to evaluate whether or not your symptoms can be explained more effectively by other psychiatric or medical conditions that mimic or coexist with ADHD. Anxiety disorders, for example may present with symptoms similar to ADHD and can have an impact similar to ADHD on work and relationships. It is therefore crucial to rule out other disorders that can cause symptoms of ADHD before proceeding to look into medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you decide to take the NHS route, your first step is to see your GP and provide the reason why you believe you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP should consider this to be serious issue and recommend you to an assessment. However waiting times for NHS assessments can be long. If you're unable to wait, you can choose the private route, which can be more expensive but offers shorter waiting times.
During your appointment you will be asked questions and administered the QbTest, a computerised test which measures the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, activity and attention. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment, so that you can write down examples of how you experience these symptoms in your life. The psychiatrist will assess your answers and discuss the next steps. This may include exploring different options for treatment.
2. Online assessment
An online assessment is an option that can be much quicker than waiting for an NHS appointment. It is also more costly. The cost of an online assessment for ADHD patients can vary from PS240 to PS2500. This includes the assessment as well as a full diagnosis report and medication costs.
In the UK children and adults can get ADHD assessments on the NHS through a GP referral. The BBC's investigation reveals that there are lengthy waiting times to visit specialists. For instance, a woman in Sheffield has been waiting for two years. Suicidal thoughts are among her symptoms, which could indicate that she may not be diagnosed with ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, patients with ADHD is assessed by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the examination, a psychiatrist will interview and examine the individual with questionnaires and observe their behavior. The psychiatrist will determine the severity of ADHD and the impact it has on daily living.
People with ADHD tend to manage their symptoms through strategies such as diaries, calendars and post-it notes. These strategies aren't always effective. These methods can create anxiety and confusion, particularly in those with mental health issues. The evaluation will also include physical examination as well as a review of medical background.
The NHS has a scheme called Right to Choose, which allows you to select the location to which you're referred for an assessment. Anyone who is registered with a GP office in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland can take advantage of this scheme. You can ask to be referred to a private service which is affiliated with the NHS which offers an ADHD assessment, as long that they're licensed by NHS and don't charge more than the NHS.
3. Diagnosis
A specialist nurse or psychiatrist will usually conduct an ADHD assessment, based on the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). For adults, this may include the assessment of comorbid disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
During the appointment, you'll discuss your current symptoms and family history with the doctor. You'll be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems. In this process, the expert will evaluate your behavior and how it impacts others like your spouse or your children.
The psychiatrist will take into consideration all of the information to determine if you meet the ADHD criteria, including subtypes. Your specialist will explain their findings and will discuss with you the best approach to treat it.
If a psychiatrist suggests a medication you will be given an order to take it to any pharmacy you like. The cost of prescriptions covers the administrative process but do not include the cost of the medication that you have to pay separately. If you need an adjustment of your medication, additional appointments may be required until you're stable with the medication.
Once you've received your diagnosis It's crucial to share the results with your GP and anyone else you need to be aware, like your school or employer. Our specialists can also provide recommendations for educational accommodations for students, such as additional time in exams or shortened deadlines.
For some people, getting an ADHD diagnosis may be a lengthy process particularly when their GP doesn't take them seriously or doesn't believe that they're suffering from the symptoms. If adhd diagnostic assessment is you, you may want to go through our article on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and suggestions on how to make your GP refer to you.
4. Medication
In the UK there are a variety of medications that are approved for treating ADHD. They are usually stimulants and include the well-known medication methylphenidate (Ritalin) and the newer amphetamine-based medicine lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). It is common to recommend that patients start with a small amount of medication, and then gradually increased over a period of appointments until the patient reaches an appropriate dosage. This is often accompanied with regular sessions with psychiatrists to discuss side effects, and to monitor the progress.
Medications can help to alleviate the symptoms caused by ADHD and lessen the burden that they place on families, individuals and workplaces. They help by increasing neurotransmitters that allow brain cells to communicate. Finding the right medication is very individual, and can take some time. Once someone is on the correct medication, it is essential that they stick to the treatment plan. If you continue to skip appointments or stop taking your medication, symptoms can come back and the medication might not be effective.
A qualified psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment However, they will be able to refer you to an expert nurse who will discuss your options for medication and prescribe if appropriate. This may require further appointment for titration to determine the right dose and regular checks to ensure the effectiveness of your medication. Most of the time, the NHS will not cover your prescription and therefore this would incur an additional charge from your pharmacy.
Private clinics charge for follow-up consultations. If required, this may include sending letters of recommendation to employers or schools. Short phone calls or emails (limited to 20 minutes) can be used to give advice and guidance on medical or medication concerns in between appointments. However, the costs associated with titration and follow-up are not covered in the initial ADHD assessment appointment.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has struggled for a long time to meet the demand for adult ADHD assessment. This has meant that many areas have waiting times that can be as long as eight years, as per BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The assessment process can be lengthy but is necessary to get a thorough diagnosis. The psychiatrist who conducts the assessment will talk to you about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as the symptoms that you are experiencing and the impact they have on your daily routine. You might also be asked to fill out questionnaires or rate scales to help the doctor evaluate your condition.
After the clinical interview you will receive the report of your specialist which will include a diagnosis of ADHD and recommendations for treatment and ongoing support. They will also speak to you about whether and how ADHD could be a factor in any health problems or concerns that you may have.
There are various kinds of ADHD and they all present differently in every individual. It is crucial to inform your doctor about the symptoms you're experiencing, to determine the kind of ADHD. This is why a thorough ADHD assessment is crucial and will give you the best chance of locating the appropriate treatment for your specific symptoms.
Private healthcare providers offer an alternative to the NHS for those who wish to avoid waiting and want to speed up their ADHD evaluation. Individuals can self-refer directly to an independent mental health practitioner and get faster access to specialists with expertise in adult ADHD. This process usually starts with a consultation with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in adult ADHD assessment.