How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a lot of differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment, you will be sent pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will help to ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you have difficulty concentrating, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it is recommended to talk to a doctor to determine if ADHD may be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way that the brain functions. But it's important to remember that there are other issues that may be causing your issues and should be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also inquire about how long you've been suffering from the symptoms and how they affect your life. Then, they'll 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 how your symptoms affect your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able to determine quickly if you meet the criteria for an assessment. If they're not certain, they'll do a full psychiatric review and examine 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 trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private companies that can provide assessments via video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you check out the waiting times prior to you choose one. You can ask your GP or contact the provider directly to find out how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment, so if this is important to you, make sure they do offer this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's important to check with your GP to see what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you might have ADHD and you suspect it, you may request your GP to refer you for an assessment. However, it's important to remember that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD by themselves. They can only communicate your symptoms and ask for the referral to an expert in mental health.
You can be assessed by psychiatrists. This specialist will interview you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms affect your life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is guided by 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 utilize these criteria to determine if or not you have ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for many. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may also face discrimination if they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as women of color, those assigned at birth or non-native English speaking people.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with different condition, such as depression or anxiety, even though the underlying problem is ADHD. This can cause significant issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. If you are unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS services, you can choose to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together the list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. It is recommended to contact the provider directly to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a variety of treatment options. These include psychosocial support, medication or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's particular needs and circumstances. The use of medication can ease symptoms and improve functioning, while psychosocial support can help with any co-existing issues like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in school or workplace settings. This can be done with the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
In addition to assessing for ADHD and other disorders, the specialist will also determine if there are any comorbid mental health conditions, which often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by examining the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from individuals who know the person well, such as family members and close friends.
If the specialist believes that an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment, as they increase concentration and decrease impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections and can be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat negative side effects, including eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs need to take any concerns about possible ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients for an assessment and treatment whenever required. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to get rid of, according to the BBC's investigation, through FOI requests. This is an extremely long period of waiting for an essential service. Many people opt to take the private assessment route since they are able to self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment on NHS. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to have ADHD. You may be asked to take screening tests to determine if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they'll put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England, the average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is because there is an overwhelming demand for this service, and many regions are struggling to keep up with it.
If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it could be helpful to write a letter to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will help your doctor understand the importance and urgency of the test, and ensure that they act upon your request. Here how to get a adhd assessment uk can download a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred to a specialist for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an appointment with a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and look into any medical history that might be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. The test can last between 45 and 90 minutes, and be conducted either in person or via video calls.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. However it's only possible if you are able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have a GP who is willing to refer you, or you want to avoid the wait time it is possible to self-refer to a private health provider.
You can also get help from your local mental health trust. You can locate the list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not run services) or contacting their press offices.