How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to complete and your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will help to ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then you should consider visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way the brain functions. However, it is crucial to recognize that there are other conditions that could be causing your difficulties and should be considered before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you have been experiencing these symptoms, and how they affect 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 look at how your symptoms impact your daily functioning and also seek feedback from those who know you.
Psychologists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to determine in a short time if you meet the criteria. If they're not certain, they'll do a full mental health exam and review your other health problems. This will include looking at other conditions that could be co-existent with ADHD and those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
However, if you are struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private providers who can offer assessments through 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 find out the length of time they are waiting for an assessment. If this is important to your needs, make sure they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's worthwhile to consult your GP to see what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you have ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs can't diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and ask a referral to an expert.
You can be evaluated by psychiatrists. The specialist will ask questions about your health history, lifestyle and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. They might also ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is guided by the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your present symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. They will apply these criteria to determine if or not you have ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for a lot of people. This can be because of the stigma surrounding the condition, and a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may also face discrimination if they seek treatment for their symptoms, like people of color, women assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a different condition, such as depression or anxiety, even though the root cause is ADHD. This can lead to significant problems in 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 waiting times at your local NHS services you can opt to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together the list of providers who offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out about wait times, contact the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. These include psychosocial aid, or both. The most suitable solution for each person will be based on their specific requirements and circumstances. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial therapy can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD may benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in school or workplace environments. This can be done with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only examine for ADHD but also look for comorbid conditions of the mental health, which often be a part of or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be done through the use of symptom checklists and by asking people who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a specialist believes that the person has the characteristics of ADHD they will go over the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which increase concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They are available as pills or injections and may have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to control adverse effects, like eating disorders and sleep problems that are often related to ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs need to take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients to an assessment and treatment when needed. However psych assessment for adhd has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation using FOI requests. This is an extended period of waiting for a service that is essential. adhd assessment cheap prefer to take the private assessment route because they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS is to see your GP. They'll consider your concerns seriously and ask the reasons you think you 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 accepted to refer you, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average time to receive an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will have to wait for an assessment You may want to write a note to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your GP recognize the importance and urgency of the examination, and ensure that they will act upon your request. Here you can download an example of a letter from ADHD UK.
After you've been recommended, you'll be invited to an appointment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the assessment they will look at your symptoms and investigate any medical history that might be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They will also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment could take between 45 and 90 minutes and can be done in person or via video call.
You may be eligible for medication through the NHS when your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However it's only possible if you are able to get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or if you don’t have one.
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 don't provide the service) or contacting them.