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 unacceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to fill out that your psychiatrist will go over prior to you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're experiencing anxiety and irritability or find it difficult 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 disorder that affects the way the brain performs. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions could be causing you problems. These need to be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you've been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your life. They'll then determine if you meet the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also called the DSM-5. They will consider how your symptoms interfere with your daily life, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they will be able to quickly determine if you're eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll conduct an extensive psychiatric assessment and examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD as well as those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
However, if you're 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 that you check the wait times for each provider before choosing one. You can ask your GP about this, or call them directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment therefore should this be a priority for you, then ensure that they do offer this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is important to check with your GP to determine what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP for a referral if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to remember that GPs can't diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and request for a referral to an expert.
You can expect to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They may also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also look at other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for those with ADHD is obtaining a diagnosis. This can be because of the stigma that surrounds the condition as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as women of color, people of color assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can confirm ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different disorder, like anxiety or depression, when the root cause is ADHD. This can cause problems in personal and professional relationships as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. This means that if you're dissatisfied with the wait times at your local NHS service, you can choose to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled the list of 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 can include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's particular requirements and situation. While medication can ease symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial support can address coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD may benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in the workplace or education environments. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only examine for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of mental health which can often occur alongside or mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by reviewing symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from those who are familiar with the person like family members and friends.
If a doctor believes that the person is in the right place for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and decrease impulsiveness. They are available as pills or injections and may be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss that can be a result of ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs must take any concerns about ADHD seriously, and they are legally obliged to refer patients for an assessment and treatment if required. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is an extremely long time to wait for a service that is essential. Many people prefer to take the private assessment route because they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be considered seriously and they should inquire what you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to take screening tests to determine if your qualified to be seen. If your GP accepts to refer you, you'll be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is because there is an overwhelming demand for the service and many areas are struggling to keep up with it.
If adhd online assessment uk are worried about the length of time you will be waiting for an appointment You may want to write a note to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will help your GP be aware of the importance and urgency of the examination, and ensure that they will act on your request. Here you can download an example of an email from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred, a psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and review your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your daily life. The test can last between 45 to 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video call.
You may be eligible for medication through the NHS when your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be attainable when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or in the event that you don't have one.
Alternately, you can get help from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or contacting them.