How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Prior to your appointment, you will be sent questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with anxiety and irritability or find it difficult to control your emotions, then it might be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way that the brain functions. It is essential to be aware that other conditions could be causing problems for you. These need to be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your therapist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you have been experiencing these symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. Then, they will determine if you meet the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also seek feedback from those who know you and consider the impact of your symptoms on your daily activities.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able tell you fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they're not certain, they will carry out an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that could coexist with ADHD, as well as those that can lead to an undiagnosed case of ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
If adhd assessment cheap struggling to get an ADHD assessment from the NHS, private providers can offer assessments via video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the wait times for each provider before choosing one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment, so If this is important to you then make sure that they do offer this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is worth checking with your GP to determine what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
Ask your GP for a referral if you suspect you may have ADHD. It's important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
When you attend your evaluation, you'll be able to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. This specialist will ask you questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessing is based upon the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your present symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a challenge for many people. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition and 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, those born at birth or non-native English speaking individuals.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. When ADHD is the cause there are many who are mistakenly diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can cause significant problems in personal and professional relationships, as well as in day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services, you can choose to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should contact the service providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's specific requirements and situation. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD may also benefit from a few adjustments to their surroundings, like making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or in educational settings. This is done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the doctor will also determine if there are any other mental health issues, which often accompany or appear to mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by examining symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from people who are familiar with the person, such as family members and close friends.
If the specialist believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease impulsiveness. They are available in pills or injections and may have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to control side effects, such as sleep problems and appetite loss, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to treat depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a long amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many opt for the private assessment route, where they can be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be considered seriously, and they'll ask you why you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. They may request you to complete an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England The average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is due to a high demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep up with the demand.
If you're concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it may be helpful to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will allow your GP to recognize the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they will act upon your request. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred to a specialist, you'll be referred to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the examination they'll look at your symptoms and examine your mental health history to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also talk about your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment can last between 45 and 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video call.
You could be qualified for medication on the NHS when your GP recommends you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However, this will only be possible if you're able to get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have a GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you'd prefer to avoid the wait it is possible to self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
Alternately, you can get help from your local mental health trust. You can locate a list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those which do not offer an assessment service) or contacting their press offices.