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 not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment you will be given questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly without the need for extended appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're having difficulty staying focused, calming down or controlling your emotions, it is recommended to consult a physician about whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. It is important to be aware that other conditions could be causing you problems. These need to be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire about how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your 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 look at how your symptoms impact your daily activities as well as requesting feedback from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able to tell fairly quickly whether you're eligible for diagnosis. If they're not certain, they'll do a full psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health problems. This will include looking at other illnesses that can coexist with ADHD as well as those that could lead to a misdiagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
However, if you are having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private providers who can offer assessments through a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the waiting times of each one prior to deciding on one. You can either inquire with your GP or call the service directly to find out the length of time they are waiting for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment, so should this be a priority for you, then ensure that they do offer this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's important to check with your GP to see what the arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD, you may request your GP to refer you for an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and ask for a referral to a specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you can expect to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to answer questions or rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also consider other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
One of the main challenges for people who have ADHD is obtaining the diagnosis. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition, as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can also face discrimination if they seek treatment for their symptoms, for example, women of color, people of color born at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the underlying problem is ADHD. This can result in significant issues with personal and professional relationships and also with daily functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait times at your local NHS service, you can choose to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact the providers directly to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's particular needs and circumstances. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD can also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their surroundings, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work environments. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The doctor will not just assess 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 is done by reviewing symptom checklists and asking for feedback from people who know the person well like family members and friends.
If a doctor believes that an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over possible treatment options. Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment since they improve concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to manage negative side effects, including issues with sleep and loss of appetite, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs must take any concerns about possible 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 clear. This is an extremely long period of waiting for a service that is essential. Many people prefer to take the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
adhd assessment cost uk to receive an ADHD assessment through the NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously, and they should inquire what you think you might have ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. If your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, 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 why many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it might be helpful to write an email to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will allow your GP to be aware of the importance and urgency of the test, and ensure that they take action on your request. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
If you've been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and examine any mental health history that may be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment could be between 45 to 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video conference.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. However, this will only be feasible if you're able receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have a GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you want to avoid the wait time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.
You can also seek out support from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that do not offer the service) or by contacting them.