How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a lot of differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to complete that your psychiatrist will go over prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment is smooth and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with anxiety and irritability or are finding it difficult to manage your emotions, then you should consider consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way in which the brain functions. It is important to be aware that other conditions may be causing you problems. These conditions must be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also want to know how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and how they impact your life. Then, they will determine if you fit the criteria set out in 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 requesting input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they will be able to quickly determine if you're eligible for diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll conduct a thorough psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health problems. This will include looking at other conditions that may coexist with ADHD, as well as the conditions that could lead to the wrong 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 offer assessments via video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We suggest that you look up the waiting times for each provider before choosing one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can contact them directly to inquire what their current wait is for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatments following an assessment, so If this is important to you, then ensure that they do offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is worth checking with your GP to find out what arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
Ask your GP for a referral if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. However, it's important to note that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves - they are able to communicate your symptoms and ask for a referral to an expert in mental health.
When you attend your assessment, you are likely to have a consultation with a consultant 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 answer questions or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as an infant. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. They will use these criteria to determine if or not you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a challenge for many people. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, individuals from certain groups, like those who are of color, assigned a female at birth, or are not native English people, could be discriminated against when seeking treatment to treat their symptoms.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis because there isn't a single test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause there are many who are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can lead to significant issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as in daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the wait times for your local NHS services you can opt to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the timeframes for waiting, contact the service providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for people with ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial aid or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's specific requirements and situation. The use of medication can ease symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can help with any coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Someone with ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in school or workplace settings. This is done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just assess for ADHD but also look for comorbid conditions of the mental health, which may often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists, and by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If the specialist believes that the person is in the right place for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss treatment options. Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment since they improve concentration and reduce the tendency to be impulsive. They are available as tablets or injections, and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
book adhd assessment can be prescribed to manage adverse effects, like eating disorders and sleep problems that are often related to ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD for an assessment and treatment. However, the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to get rid of according to the BBC's investigation by submitting FOI requests. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many individuals opt for the private assessment option which allows them to be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS is to see your GP. They'll consider your concerns seriously and ask you about why you think you might have ADHD. They might also ask you to complete a screening tool to see whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England, the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is because there is an overwhelming demand for the service and many areas are struggling to keep pace with the demand.
If you're concerned about how long you'll need to wait, it might be beneficial to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will help your GP understand the importance and urgency of the assessment, and ensure that they take action on your request. Here is a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred to a specialist to a specialist, you'll be referred to an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that may be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. The test can take between 45 and 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video calls.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. However, this will only be possible if you're able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you or in the event that you don't have one.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or by contacting them.