How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment you will be given questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will help to ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you have difficulty concentration, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it is recommended to consult a physician 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 might be causing your problems, and these need to be considered before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also inquire about how long you've experienced the symptoms and how they affect your life. They will then assess whether you meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is also called the DSM-5. They will consider how your symptoms impact your daily activities as well as requesting input from those who know you.
Psychologists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to determine fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they're not certain they'll conduct a thorough psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health issues. This will include a look at other illnesses that can coexist with ADHD as well as those which can lead to a misdiagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
However, if you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private companies that can provide assessments via a video call. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page We recommend to look over the waiting times before you decide on one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can call directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is important to your needs, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist If you suspect that you have ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and ask for a referral to a specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you are likely to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical history, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You might be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessing is based on the guidelines set 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 consider comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD is a difficult task for many people. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition and an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, individuals who belong to certain groups, for instance those who are of colour, assigned female at birth, or not native English people, could be discriminated against when seeking treatment to treat their symptoms.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a other condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the root cause is ADHD. This can lead to significant issues in both personal and professional relationships as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS service you can opt to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out about waiting times, you should get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These include psychosocial support, or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's unique requirements and situation. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial support can help with any co-existing issues like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a few adjustments to their surroundings, like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or in educational settings. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the doctor will also determine if there are any mental health issues that frequently accompany or are similar to ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a doctor believes the person is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections, and they can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects like insomnia and loss of appetite which are often associated with ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs need to take any concerns about ADHD seriously, and they are legally obliged to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if needed. However the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to clear, according to an investigation by the BBC using FOI requests. This is a long amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many people choose the private assessment route, where they can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
adhd assessment uk to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you about why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They may also ask you to complete a screening tool to see if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP agrees to refer you, you'll be added to the NHS waiting lists.
The average time to receive an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to a high demand for the service, and many regions are struggling to keep pace with it.
If you're concerned about how long you'll need to wait, it might be beneficial to write a letter to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will allow them comprehend the importance of the assessment and ensure that your request is followed up upon. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you've been recommended for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or by video calls.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. 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 do not want to wait for a 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 find out which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by browsing their websites (except for those that don't offer the service) or contacting them.