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 needs to be addressed.
You will be provided with pre-screening questions to fill out, which your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment is run smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then it may be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way the brain functions. It is important to keep in mind that there are other conditions that might be causing your problems and they should be considered before you are able to be diagnosed as having ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They'll then determine if you meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also called the DSM-5. They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily activities as well as requesting feedback from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able quickly determine if you are eligible for a diagnosis. If they are not sure, they will carry out an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD and those that could result in the wrong diagnosis of ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
However, if you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private providers who can provide assessments via video call. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest to look over the waiting times prior to you decide on one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment therefore if this is important to you, then ensure that they offer this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so check with your GP about the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist If you suspect that you have ADHD. But, it's important to note that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves. They are able to communicate your symptoms and ask for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
When you attend your assessment, you can expect to consult with a psychiatrist consultant. This specialist will ask you questions about your health history, lifestyle and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You might be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is in accordance with the guidelines laid out 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. adhd assessment uk online will also take into consideration other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a challenge for a lot of people. This can be because of the stigma surrounding the condition, and a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can be subject to discrimination when they seek help for their symptoms, such as women of color, those assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis because there isn't a single test that can prove the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the cause, many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can result in significant issues with personal and professional relationships, as well as with day-to-day 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've put together an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the wait times, get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for people with ADHD. These include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's unique needs and circumstances. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can address any co-existing conditions like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a few adjustments to their surroundings, like making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or educational setting. This can be done with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The doctor will not just assess for ADHD but also look for comorbid conditions of mental health which may often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. what is an adhd assessment is done by examining symptom checklists and asking for feedback from people who are familiar with the person like family members and close friends.
If a doctor believes the person meets the criteria of ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment, as they increase concentration and decrease the tendency to be impulsive. These are available as tablets or injections and can have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed for side effects, such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss that are sometimes associated ADHD. Some people also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to manage underlying anxiety or depression.
GPs need to take any concerns about ADHD seriously, and they are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment when needed. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a long amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment route and can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD assessment on NHS. They should consider your concerns seriously and ask what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to take screening tests to determine if your eligible to be seen. Once your GP has agreed to refer you to them, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to the a high demand for this service, and many areas are struggling to keep pace with it.
If you are worried about the length of time you will be waiting for an appointment you may consider writing a letter to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will help your doctor be aware of the importance and urgency of the assessment and make sure they act on your request. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and examine any medical history that might be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment could be between 45 to 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or via video calls.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment You may be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. This will only be attainable when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't 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 locate a list of NHS mental health trusts that provide ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not provide services) or by contacting their press offices.