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 be sent questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your appointment runs smoothly without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're experiencing difficulty concentrating and restlessness or find it difficult to manage your emotions then you should consider consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD could be the reason. About 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way in which the brain functions. It is important to be aware that other conditions may be causing problems for you. These should be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire about how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they affect your life. They'll then determine if you meet the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is also known as the DSM-5. They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily functioning, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they will be able to tell fairly quickly whether you are eligible for a diagnosis. If they're unsure they'll conduct a thorough psychiatric review and examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD as well as those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
However, if you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private providers who can provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the wait times for each service before deciding on one. You can either ask your GP or call the service directly to find out how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. If this is crucial to your needs, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you have ADHD. But, it's important to note that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD by themselves. They can only communicate your symptoms and ask for the referral to a mental health specialist.
When you attend your evaluation, you'll be able to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They may also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your present symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also consider comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD is a difficult task for many people. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, and a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, for example, people of color, women born, or non-native English speaking people.
There is how to get an adhd assessment uk that can confirm ADHD. When ADHD is the primary cause many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can result in significant issues in personal and professional relationships and also with day-to-day functioning.
book adhd assessment offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service, you can choose to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about wait times, get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best choice for each individual will depend on their individual needs and circumstances. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial support can help with any co-existing conditions like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or in educational settings. This can be done with the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD and other disorders, the specialist will also examine whether there are any other mental health issues, which often accompany or appear to mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by looking through the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from individuals who know the person well, such as family members and friends.
If a specialist believes an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over treatment options. Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment, as they increase concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections, and they can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to manage adverse effects, like issues with sleep and loss of appetite, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs should be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously, and they are legally required to refer patients for an assessment and treatment if needed. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many individuals opt for the private assessment method, where they can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step towards getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to visit your GP. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you about the reasons you think you be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to complete an assessment test to determine if your qualified to be seen. Once your GP accepts to refer you, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time 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 concerned about the length of time you will be waiting for an assessment You may consider writing a letter to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will help them to understand the importance of the assessment and ensure that your request is acted upon. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the assessment they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health history to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment can be between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or by video conference.
You could be qualified for medication on the NHS when your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. However this is only feasible if you're able receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you'd prefer to avoid the waiting time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.
Alternately, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that do not offer the service) or contacting them.