How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to fill out, which your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're having difficulty staying focused, calming down or managing your emotions, it's worth consulting a doctor about whether ADHD could be the problem. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way the brain operates. It is essential to be aware that other conditions may be causing problems for you. These should be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you have been suffering from these symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you meet the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will consider how your symptoms interfere with your daily functioning, as well as seeking feedback from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they will be able to tell fairly quickly whether you meet the criteria for diagnosis. If they are not sure they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as 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 having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private firms that provide assessments via video call. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you look up the waiting times prior to you select one. You can ask your GP about this, or you can call them directly to inquire what their current wait time is for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment so if this is important to you then make sure that they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this service, so it's important to check with your GP to determine what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP for a referral in the event that you think you have ADHD. However, it's important to note that GPs are unable to diagnose ADHD themselves - they are able to communicate your symptoms and ask for a referral to an expert in mental health.
When you go for your assessment, you can expect to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your health history, lifestyle and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. They may also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
how much is an adhd assessment is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into consideration comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They will use these criteria to determine if or not you suffer from ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for those suffering from ADHD is getting an diagnosis. This is because of the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Additionally, those from certain groups, like those who are of colour, assigned 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 as there is no test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with other condition, such as depression or anxiety, but the root cause is ADHD. This can cause significant difficulties in professional and personal relationships as well as 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 go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about timeframes for waiting, contact the service providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a variety of treatment options. They can include psychosocial therapy, medication, or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's specific requirements and situation. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and improve performance, psychosocial support can address coexisting conditions like anxiety or depression.
Someone with ADHD could benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in educational or work settings. This can be done with the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only look for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of the mental health, which may often be a part of or mimic ADHD among adults. This is done by looking through symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from individuals who are familiar with the person like family members and friends.
If the specialist believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They can be found in tablets or injections. They can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to manage adverse effects, like eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs should be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously, and they are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if required. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a long amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many individuals opt for the private assessment method which allows them to be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to see your GP. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they should ask you why you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to take a screening test to determine if your eligible for an appointment. If your GP agrees to refer you, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The demand for this service is the reason why many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If you are worried about the amount of time you be waiting for an appointment you may want to write a note to your GP detailing what you require. This will allow your GP to recognize the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they act on your request. Here you can download an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
After you've been recommended, you'll be invited to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the examination they'll discuss 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 could be between 45 and 90 minutes, and be conducted either in person or by video call.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment You may be eligible for medication through the NHS. This will only be attainable when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment 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 even if you don't have a GP.
You can also get help from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that don't provide the service) or by contacting them.