How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your appointment you will receive questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then go over them. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly without the need for extended appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're experiencing restlessness and trouble concentrating or are finding it difficult to manage your emotions then it may be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way in which the brain performs. However, it is crucial to recognize that there are other conditions that could be causing your difficulties and they should be considered before you are able to be diagnosed as having ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They'll also want to know how long you've been suffering from these symptoms, and how they impact your life. They will then assess whether you meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as the DSM-5. They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily life and also seek input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they'll be able determine quickly if you meet the criteria for diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll conduct a comprehensive mental health exam and review your other health issues. This will include a look at other conditions which can coexist with ADHD and also the conditions that can cause the wrong diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
If you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private firms that provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We suggest that you look up the waiting times for each service before deciding on one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can contact them directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatments following an assessment, so If this is important to you then make sure that they provide this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's worthwhile to consult your GP to see what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you might have ADHD or other related disorders, you may inquire with your GP to refer you for an assessment. It is important to note that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves. They are able to provide information about your symptoms and request for an appointment with an expert in mental health.
You can be assessed by psychiatrists. The doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical history, as well as asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your present symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a challenge for a lot of people. This is due to the stigma surrounding the condition as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can be discriminated against if they seek help for their symptoms, like women of color, people of color born or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the root cause is ADHD. This can cause significant issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. If you are dissatisfied with the wait times for your local NHS services you can opt to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled the list of providers that 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 range of treatment options. These include psychosocial support or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's unique requirements and situation. While medications can alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can address coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in educational or work environments. This can be done with the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only assess for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of mental health which may often accompany or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who know you well to give feedback.
If a medical professional believes that the person meets the criteria of ADHD they will go over the treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment since they improve concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. They can be found in tablets or injections, and can have both short- and long-term effects.
Get More Information are prescribed to treat side effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss which are often associated with ADHD. Certain individuals may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients who have concerns about ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is an extremely long period of waiting for an essential service. Many people choose to take the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS is to see your GP. They should take your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you're eligible to be seen. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
In England the average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The demand for this service is the reason many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will have to wait for an appointment you may want to write a note to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will help your GP understand the importance and urgency of the examination and ensure that they will act upon your request. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you've been recommended to a specialist, you'll be referred to an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that might cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The assessment could be between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be done in person or via video call.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. This will only be attainable when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have a GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you'd prefer to avoid the wait time, you can self-refer to a private health provider.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can find a 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 a service) or by contacting their press offices.