How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your consultation you will be given pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or are finding it difficult to control your emotions, then you should consider seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way that the brain functions. It is important to keep in mind that there are other conditions that may be causing your issues and they should be considered before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also inquire how long you've been suffering from the symptoms and how they impact your life. They will then determine if you are in compliance with the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will look at the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily life, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists have plenty of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll be able to determine within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not certain, they'll do a full psychiatric review and examine your other health problems. This includes looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD and also those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers can provide assessments via video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the wait times for each provider before choosing one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or call them directly to inquire what their current wait is for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment, therefore If this is important to you, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have agreements to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you have ADHD, you could request your GP to refer you for an assessment. However, it's important to know that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD by themselves. They can only provide information about your symptoms and request for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you can expect to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. This specialist will ask you questions about your life, 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 based on the guidelines set 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 consider other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
go to this site of the main challenges for those suffering from ADHD is obtaining the diagnosis. This could be due to the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of understanding by healthcare professionals. In addition, people belonging to certain groups, for instance those who are of colour, assigned female at birth or non-native English speakers, can face discrimination when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test that can confirm ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with different condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the underlying problem is ADHD. This can cause significant problems in personal and professional relationships, as well as with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. If you are unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS services you can opt to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. It is recommended to contact the provider directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a variety of treatment options. These include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best choice for each individual will be based on their specific needs and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help treat co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety.
Someone with ADHD may also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in the workplace or education environments. This can be done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to testing for ADHD, the specialist will also examine whether there are any other mental health issues that often occur in conjunction with or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists, and also by asking those who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a doctor believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss possible treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment because they boost concentration and reduce the tendency to be impulsive. They are available in pills or injections and may have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to control adverse effects, like sleep problems and appetite loss, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs need to be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously and are legally bound to refer patients for an assessment and treatment whenever required. However the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to get rid of, according to the BBC's investigation by submitting FOI requests. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many individuals opt for the private assessment route and can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They'll be attentive to your concerns and ask what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to take a screening test to determine if your qualified to be seen. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average wait time for 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 amount of time you have to wait to be assessed you may consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will allow them to comprehend the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is acted on. Here is a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the assessment they will review your symptoms and look into any medical history that might be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They will also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD impacts your daily life. 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 and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. However it's only possible if you're able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't want to wait around for a GP to refer you or even if you don't have a GP.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by browsing their websites (except for those that do not run the service) or contacting them.