How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a lot of differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to fill out, which your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will help to ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you are struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it may be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain functions. It is essential to be aware that other conditions may cause problems. These should be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They will also ask you how long you've experienced the symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will then determine if you meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as the DSM-5. They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily life and also seek opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they will be able to determine quickly if you are eligible for diagnosis. If they're not certain, they'll do a full mental health exam and review your other health problems. This includes looking at other conditions which can be associated with ADHD as well as those that could lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers are able to provide assessments via video call. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you check out the waiting time before you select one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment, so if this is important to you then make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
Ask your GP for a referral If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs can't diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and request a referral to a specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you can expect to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical history, in addition to asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You might be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were in your early years. They will also take into account comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They will utilize these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for a lot of people. This can be because of the stigma associated with the condition, as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, people from certain groups, like people of color, assigned a female at birth, or not native English speakers, can face discrimination when seeking help to treat their symptoms.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis as there isn't a single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the cause many people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This can cause significant problems in personal and professional relationships, as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the waiting time at your local NHS service, you can choose to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together a list of providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should contact the providers.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. These include psychosocial support, or both. cheap adhd assessment for each person will depend on their individual needs and situation. While medications can alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or in educational settings. This can be done with the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to testing for ADHD and other disorders, the specialist will also look at whether there are any comorbid mental health issues that often occur in conjunction with or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists and also by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a medical professional believes that the patient is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. These can be found in tablets or injections. They can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to manage adverse effects, like issues with sleep and loss of appetite, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Certain people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to manage underlying depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is an extremely long period of waiting for an essential service. Many people choose to go the private assessment route because they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to visit your GP. They'll consider your concerns seriously and ask the reasons you think you be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to take a screening test to determine if you're qualified for an appointment. If your GP accepts to refer you, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
In England The average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The demand for this service is the reason many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If you're worried about how long you'll have to wait, it may be beneficial to write a letter to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will help them comprehend the significance of the test and ensure that your request is acted on. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you have been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that might cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They will also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The assessment can last between 45 and 90 minutes, and be conducted either in person or via video conference.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. However this is only possible if you are able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have a GP who will agree to refer you, or you'd prefer to avoid the waiting time it is possible to self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can locate a list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not run an assessment service) or by contacting their press offices.