How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment you will be given questions to screen for. 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 having difficulty concentration, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it is recommended to consult a physician to determine if ADHD may be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way that the brain functions. But it's important to remember that there are other conditions that might be causing your problems and they should be considered before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will then determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily functioning, as well as seeking input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able tell fairly quickly whether you're eligible for an assessment. If they're not sure they'll conduct a thorough mental health exam and review your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD, as well as those that can lead to the wrong diagnosis of ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers can provide assessments via video call. adhd diagnosis assessment are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times for each provider before choosing one. You can either ask your GP or contact the provider directly to learn how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have agreements to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP for a referral in the event that you think you have ADHD. However, it's important to know that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only provide information about your symptoms and request for the referral to a mental health specialist.
You can expect to be assessed by psychiatrist. This specialist will ask you questions about your health history, lifestyle and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessing 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 when you were a child. 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 most difficult things for people who have ADHD is getting a diagnosis. This could be due to the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of awareness by healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, like people of color, women born at birth or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a other condition, such as depression or anxiety, but the root of the issue is ADHD. This can result in significant issues with 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 not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service you can decide to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about wait times, contact the providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a variety of treatment options. These include psychosocial therapy, medication or both. The best option for each individual will be based on their specific needs and situation. While medications can alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Someone with ADHD may benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in school or workplace environments. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
In addition to assessing for ADHD, the doctor will also look at whether there are any comorbid mental health conditions, which frequently accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by examining the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from individuals who know the person, such as family members and friends.
If a specialist believes a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss possible treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. These are available as tablets or injections, and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to treat side effects, such as insomnia and loss of appetite that are sometimes associated ADHD. Certain people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to manage anxiety or depression.
GPs must be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously, and they are legally bound to refer patients for an assessment and treatment when needed. According to the BBC that a backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is an extended period of waiting for a service that is essential. Many people prefer to take the private assessment route because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS is to visit your GP. They'll be attentive to your concerns and ask the reasons you think you have ADHD. They may also ask you to complete an assessment tool to determine if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP accepts to refer you, you'll be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is because there is a high demand for the service and many regions are struggling to keep up with the demand.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will have to wait for an appointment, you might consider writing a letter to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will help your doctor recognize the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they take action on your request. Here you can download a sample of a letter from ADHD UK.
After you've been recommended for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an appointment with a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the examination they'll look at your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out other medical conditions that could cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily routine. The assessment can last between 45 and 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video calls.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible for medication through the NHS. However, this will only be feasible if you're able get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have a 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 get help from your local mental health trust. You can locate the list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not provide services) or contacting their press offices.