How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your consultation you will be given questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will help to ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with anxiety and irritability or you are having trouble to manage your emotions then it might be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way the brain functions. However, it is crucial to recognize that there are other conditions that may be causing your issues and they should be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also inquire how long you've experienced the symptoms and how they impact your life. Then, they'll determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider how your symptoms impact your daily functioning, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychologists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to determine fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they're not sure they'll conduct a thorough mental health exam and review your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that may be co-existent with ADHD and those that could result in the wrong diagnosis of ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS private providers are able to provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or call directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment therefore should this be a priority for you, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you might have ADHD and you suspect it, you can request your GP to refer you for an assessment. However, it's important to remember that GPs are unable to diagnose ADHD by themselves. They are able to relay your symptoms and ask for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
When you attend your assessment, you are likely to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also consider comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for many. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, like women of color, people of color born or non-native English speaking individuals.
There is no test that can confirm ADHD. When ADHD is the cause, many people are mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can lead to significant issues in personal and professional relationships as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're dissatisfied with the wait times at your local NHS service you can opt to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should contact the service providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These can include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best option will depend on the individual's unique requirements and situation. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial therapy can address any co-existing conditions like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their surroundings, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work settings. This can be done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just examine for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by reviewing the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from individuals who know the person like family members and close friends.
If Visit Web Page believes a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss treatment options. The most common treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. These are available as tablets or injections and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat side effects like eating disorders and sleep disturbances that can be a result of ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns about 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 a service that is essential. Many people choose to take the private assessment route because they are able to self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to visit your GP. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you are eligible for an appointment. Once your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to an enormous demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep up with the demand.
If you are worried about the length of time you will have to wait to be assessed, you might consider writing a letter to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will allow them be aware of the significance of the test and ensure that your request gets acted upon. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you've been recommended for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an appointment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the evaluation, they'll review your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also talk about your lifestyle, and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or via video call.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. This will only be possible if your GP can recommend you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you or even if you don't have a GP.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can locate a list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of individual Trusts (except those which do not offer a service) or contacting their press offices.