How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment you will receive questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you're having difficulty staying focused, calming down or controlling your emotions, it's recommended to consult a physician to determine if ADHD could be the problem. About 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way the brain operates. It is essential to be aware that other conditions may be causing you problems. These need to be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your therapist will begin by asking questions 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. They'll then determine if you meet the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also known as the DSM-5. They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily functioning as well as requesting input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able quickly determine if you are eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as look at your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD as well as those which can lead to the wrong diagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers can provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We suggest that you look up the wait times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can either ask your GP or contact the provider directly to learn the time they are waiting for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, make sure they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is worth checking with your GP to find out what arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, you could request your GP to refer you for an assessment. It is important to know that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only relay your symptoms and ask for the referral to a mental health specialist.
If you are scheduled for an evaluation, you'll be able to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. This specialist will ask you questions about your health history, lifestyle and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They may also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based upon the guidelines established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your present symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into consideration comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. They will use these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for a lot of people. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may also face discrimination if they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as women of color, people of color assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can prove ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause there are many who are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can cause significant problems with personal and professional relationships, as well as with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are unhappy with the wait times for your local NHS services you can opt to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the timeframes for waiting, contact the service providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for people with ADHD. They can include psychosocial therapy, medication or both. The best solution for each person will depend on their individual requirements and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help treat co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or in educational settings. This can be done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only examine for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which may often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and also by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a specialist believes that the person meets the criteria of ADHD They will then discuss the treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. what is an adhd assessment are available as tablets or injections, and can be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat adverse effects, like sleep problems and appetite loss that are often related to ADHD. Some people can benefit from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to manage depression or anxiety.
GPs must take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients for an assessment and treatment if required. However, the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to clear, according to the BBC's investigation through FOI requests. This is an extremely long period of waiting for a service that is essential. Many people choose to take the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and get 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 think you be suffering from ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine 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 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 may be beneficial to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will allow them to understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request gets acted on. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred to a specialist, you'll be referred to an appointment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and examine any medical history that might be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your daily life. The test can be between 45 and 90 minutes, and be conducted either in person or via video call.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. However this is only possible if you're able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have a GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you'd prefer to avoid the wait time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.
You can also seek help from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by browsing their websites (except for those that do not run the service) or by contacting them.
