How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a number of significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will be provided with pre-screening questions to fill out and your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have difficulty concentration, restlessness or managing your emotions, it's worth consulting a doctor to determine if ADHD may be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way the brain functions. It is essential to remember that other conditions may be causing problems for you. These should be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you've been experiencing these symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will then determine if you meet the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will look at the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily functioning as well as requesting opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychologists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to tell you in a short time if you meet the criteria. If they're not certain they'll conduct an extensive psychiatric assessment and examine your other health issues. This will include a look at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD as well as those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
If you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private companies that can provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the waiting times of each one prior to deciding on one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact them directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. If this is essential to your needs, make sure they offer this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is worthwhile to consult your GP to see what the arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP for a referral If you suspect that you have ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and ask for a referral to a specialist.
You can anticipate to be evaluated by psychiatrists. This specialist will interview you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. They may also ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as in your early years. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. adhd uk assessment will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
One of the most difficult things for those suffering from ADHD is getting a diagnosis. This could be because of the stigma associated with the condition, as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, people from certain groups, like those who are of color, assigned a female at birth or non-native English speakers, can be discriminated against when seeking treatment for their symptoms.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with different disorder, like depression or anxiety, even though the root cause is ADHD. This can lead to significant difficulties in professional and personal relationships, as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services, you can choose to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should contact the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. These include psychosocial support, medication or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's particular requirements and circumstances. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial support can help with any coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD may also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or in educational settings. This is done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to testing for ADHD, the doctor will also determine if there are any comorbid mental health issues that often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists and also by asking those who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a doctor believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections, and can be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss which are often associated with ADHD. Some people can benefit from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to treat depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns regarding ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a significant amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many individuals opt for the private assessment route which allows them to be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to visit your GP. They'll be attentive to your concerns and ask the reasons you think you have ADHD. You may be asked to take screening tests to determine if you are qualified to be seen. Once your GP has agreed to refer you to them, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
In England The average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The demand for this service is the reason why some areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're concerned about how long you'll need to wait, it could be beneficial to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will help your doctor be aware of the importance and urgency of the examination and ensure that they take action upon your request. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
If you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the assessment they will review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that could be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video conference.
You may be eligible for medication on the NHS in the event that your GP recommends you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This is only possible in the event that your GP is able to refer you to an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who will agree to refer you, or you'd like to cut down the wait it is possible to self-refer to a private health provider.
You can also seek help from your local mental trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that don't offer the service) or by contacting them.