How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. affordable adhd assessment is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your consultation, you will be sent questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will help to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have difficulty concentrating, restlessness or managing your emotions, it's recommended to talk to a doctor to determine if ADHD may be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD which is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way in which the brain operates. It's important to be aware that other conditions could be causing you problems. These should be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, the specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also ask you how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Then, they will determine if you fit the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will look at the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily functioning as well as requesting 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're not sure they'll conduct a full psychiatric history and examine your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that can coexist with ADHD, as well as those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers are able to provide assessments through video calls. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you look up the waiting times prior to you choose one. You can consult your GP or call the service directly to determine the length of time they are waiting for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment so should this be a priority for you, then ensure that they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's worth checking with your GP to find out what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you have ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
You can be assessed by psychiatrist. The doctor will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is guided by the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were a child. They will also look at comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. They will utilize these criteria to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD is a difficult task for a lot of people. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition, as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, people from certain groups, for instance those who are a person of color, a woman at birth, or not native English people, could be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test to confirm ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with different condition, such as depression or anxiety, but the root cause is ADHD. This can cause significant problems with personal and professional relationships, as well as with daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services, you can choose to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together the list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact the providers directly to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These include psychosocial support or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's unique requirements and situation. While medication can ease symptoms and improve performance, psychosocial support can help treat co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD may benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment like changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in the workplace or education settings. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only look for ADHD but also look for comorbid conditions of mental health which may often accompany or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be done by reviewing symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from those who know the person well, such as family members and friends.
If a doctor believes the person is a candidate for ADHD they will go over the options for treatment. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and decrease impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections, and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed for adverse effects such as insomnia and loss of appetite that can be a result of ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, that can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs need to take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients to an assessment and treatment whenever required. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a long period of waiting for a service that is essential. Many people prefer to go the private assessment route since they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step towards getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to see your GP. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you to explain the reasons you think you have ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP accepts to refer you, you'll be added to the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The demand for this service is the reason why some areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're concerned about how long you'll need to wait, it may be beneficial to write a letter to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will allow your GP to understand the importance and urgency of the assessment and ensure that they will act upon your request. Here you can download an example of an email from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred, a psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that could be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment could last between 45 and 90 minutes, and be conducted either in person or by video conference.
You may be eligible for medication through the NHS when your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be attainable in the event that your GP is able to refer you for an assessment using the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have an GP who is willing to refer you to them, or you want to avoid the wait time it is possible to self-refer to a private health provider.
You can also seek out support from your local mental health trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that do not provide the service) or contacting them.