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.
Before your consultation, you will be sent questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then go over them. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Symptoms
If you are having trouble staying focused, calming down or managing your emotions, it's worth consulting a doctor about whether ADHD could be the problem. About 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way in which the brain functions. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions could be causing problems for you. These should be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also ask you how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will then 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 ask for feedback from those who know you and consider the impact of your symptoms on your daily life.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able tell fairly quickly whether you're eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll conduct a thorough psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that may be co-existent with ADHD and the conditions that could lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
If you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS private providers can provide assessments via video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We suggest that you look up the waiting times of each service before deciding on one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is important to you, be sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have agreements to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist if you suspect you may have ADHD. It is important to know that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves - they are able to provide information about your symptoms and request for the referral to an expert in mental health.
When you attend your assessment, you are likely to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were a child. They will also take into account other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. They will use these criteria to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD.
One of the main challenges for those suffering from ADHD is obtaining the diagnosis. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, people who belong to certain groups, such as people of color, assigned a female at birth or non-native English speakers, may face discrimination when seeking help to treat their symptoms.
There is no test that can prove ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a other condition, such as depression or anxiety, but the underlying problem is ADHD. This can cause issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as in everyday functioning.
adhd assessment offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. This means that if you're unhappy with the waiting time at your local NHS service you can opt to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about wait times, contact the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. These can include medication, psychosocial support, 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, while psychosocial therapy can address any coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD may also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment like changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in the workplace or education environments. This is done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the specialist will also look at whether there are any other mental health issues, which often accompany or are similar to ADHD in adults. This is done by examining the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from those who know the person, such as family members and close friends.
If a doctor believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about the treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. They are available in the form of tablets or injections. They can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to treat side effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss that are sometimes associated ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs need to be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients for an assessment and treatment when needed. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation through FOI requests. This is a long amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many opt for the private assessment option, where they can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to receive an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness, and they'll ask you what you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you are qualified for an appointment. Once your GP accepts to refer you, 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 many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're worried about the amount of time you be waiting for an assessment, you might be able to write a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your doctor recognize the importance and urgency of the examination and make sure they act on your request. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you've been recommended, you'll be invited to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. In the course of the assessment, they'll look at your symptoms and investigate any mental health history that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. The assessment could take between 45 and 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video calls.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment You may be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. However, this will only be possible if you are able to get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if don't want to wait around for a GP to refer you, or in the event that you don't have one.
You can also seek help from your local mental trust. You can find a list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of individual Trusts (except those that do not provide services) or contacting their press offices.