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 not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your consultation, you will be sent pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your appointment runs smoothly without the need for extended appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're experiencing difficulty concentrating and restlessness or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it may be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way in which the brain operates. However, it is crucial to recognize that there are other issues that could be causing your difficulties, and these need to be considered before you are able to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire 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 which is also called the DSM-5. They will also ask for input from people who know you and look at how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they will be able to quickly determine if you're eligible for an assessment. If they're not sure they'll conduct a full psychiatric history and look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD, as well as those that could result in an undiagnosed case of ADHD, such as depression or anxiety.
However, if you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private providers who can provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the wait times for each service before deciding on one. You can either consult your GP or call the provider directly to find out the time they are waiting for an assessment. If this is important to your needs, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP about the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP for a referral if you suspect you may have ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and ask a referral to an expert.
You can be assessed by psychiatrists. The specialist will talk to you about your life and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. They may also ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will assess your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were a child. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for those with ADHD is obtaining the diagnosis. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Additionally, those belonging to certain groups, for instance those who are of colour, assigned female at birth or non-native English speakers, can be discriminated against when seeking treatment to treat their symptoms.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis as there is no single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. If ADHD is the root cause there are many who are mistakenly diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can result in significant issues in personal and professional relationships, as well as with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS service you can decide to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. It is recommended to contact the provider directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available for those suffering from ADHD. cheap adhd assessment include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best solution for each person will depend on their individual needs and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from making 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 guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only look for ADHD but also look for comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by looking through symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from people who know the person well, such as family members and close friends.
If a specialist believes that the patient has the characteristics of ADHD they will go over the treatment options. The most common treatments are stimulants, which increase concentration and reduce impulsiveness. These are available as pills or injections and may have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to manage side effects, such as sleep problems and appetite loss, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Some people can benefit from psychosocial therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to manage underlying depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns about ADHD to an assessment and treatment. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to get rid of according to the BBC's investigation, using FOI requests. This is a long period of waiting for an essential service. Many people choose to take the route of private assessment because they are able to self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to see your GP. They'll be attentive to your concerns and ask what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out screening tools to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. After your GP accepts to refer you, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
In England, the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason why some areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it might be helpful to write an email to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will assist them understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request gets acted upon. Here you can download an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and examine 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 affects your daily routine. The test can take between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or via video calls.
You could be qualified for medication on the NHS if your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be possible when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If visit link do not have a GP who is willing to refer you to them, or you'd prefer to avoid the wait time, you can self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that do not run the service) or contacting them.