How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a significant variation in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to complete, which your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will help to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or find it difficult to control your emotions, then it might be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD could be the reason. Around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way in which the brain functions. It is important to keep in mind that there are other issues that may be causing your issues and should be considered before you are able to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They will also ask you how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you fit the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also solicit input from people who know you and consider how your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they'll be able determine quickly if you're eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll conduct a thorough psychiatric review and examine your other health problems. This will include a look at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD and also those that could lead to a misdiagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
If you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private providers who can provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the wait times for each service before deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP or call the provider directly to determine the time they are waiting for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment so should this be a priority for you, make sure they offer this service. Certain providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP about the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you have ADHD. It is important to know that GPs are unable to 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. The specialist will talk to you about your life and medical history, in addition to asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They may also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines set out 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 a child. They will also look at other comorbidities like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD is a difficult task for many. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition and an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be subject to discrimination when they seek help for their symptoms, for example, people of color, women born, or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis since there is no test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause there are many who are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can cause problems in personal and professional relationships, as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services You can choose to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the timeframes for waiting, get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. They can include psychosocial support, medication, or both. The most appropriate option for each individual will depend on their individual needs and situation. While cheap adhd assessment can help alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD can also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in school or workplace environments. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
In addition to testing for ADHD, the doctor will also look at whether there are any mental health conditions, which often accompany or are similar to 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 a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about the treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and decrease impulsiveness. These can be found in the form of tablets or injections. They can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects, such as insomnia and loss of appetite which are often associated with ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to manage depression or anxiety.
GPs should be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously and are legally bound to refer patients for an assessment and treatment whenever needed. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a significant amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment method, where they can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. additional reading should be treated with seriousness and they'll ask you what you think you might have ADHD. They may request you to complete a screening tool to see whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
In England the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The demand for this service is the reason why many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're worried about the amount of time you have to wait to be assessed, you might be able to write a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will allow them be aware of the importance of the examination and ensure that your request gets acted upon. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
If you've been referred, a psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. During the examination they'll look at your symptoms and examine your mental health history to rule out any 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 assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or by video calls.
You may be eligible for medication on the NHS in the event that your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. However this is only possible if you're able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have an GP who is willing to refer you, or you'd like to cut down the wait time, you can self-refer to a private health provider.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that do not provide the service) or by contacting them.