How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment you will receive questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or find it difficult to manage your emotions, then you should consider seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way in which the brain operates. It's important to remember that other conditions may be causing problems for you. These need to be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, your therapist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also ask you how long you've been suffering from the symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you are in compliance with the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also seek input from people who know you and consider how your symptoms impact your daily life.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They'll be able tell you within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not sure they'll conduct a thorough psychiatric review and examine your other health problems. This will include examining other conditions that could coexist with ADHD, as well as the conditions that could lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS private providers are able to provide assessments via video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you check out the waiting times prior to you choose one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If how much does an adhd assessment cost is important to you, make sure they offer this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD or other related disorders, you may inquire with your GP to refer you for an assessment. It's important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and ask a referral to a specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you are likely to consult with a psychiatrist consultant. The specialist will talk to you about your life and medical history, as well as asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms affect your life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. They will use these criteria to determine if or not you have ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for those suffering from ADHD is getting the diagnosis. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of awareness by healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be discriminated against if they seek help for their symptoms, such as women of color, those born, or non-native English speaking individuals.
There is no test to confirm ADHD. When ADHD is the primary cause, many people are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This can result in significant issues in personal and professional relationships and also with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services you can opt to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best solution for each person will depend on their unique needs and circumstances. While medication can ease symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD can benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work settings. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only assess for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of the mental health, which often occur alongside or mimic ADHD among 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 friends.
If a specialist believes that the patient meets the criteria of ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and reduce impulsiveness. These can be found in the form of tablets or injections. They can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to treat side effects, such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss that can be a result of ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to manage underlying anxiety or depression.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC that a backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is an extended period of waiting for an essential service. Many people opt to go the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to receive an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they should inquire why you believe you may have ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out screening tools to determine if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they'll put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England The average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason why many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will have to wait to be assessed You may want to write a note to your GP explaining what you need. This will help them to understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is acted upon. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
If you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and examine any medical history that might be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment can take between 45 to 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video conference.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible for medication through the NHS. This is only possible if your GP can refer you to an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you'd like to cut down the waiting time it is possible to self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
Alternatively, you can get help from your local mental health trust. You can find a list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not run a service) or contacting their press offices.