How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a significant variation in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your consultation you will be given questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation is run smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you are struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or are finding it difficult to manage your emotions then it might be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way in which the brain performs. But it's important to remember that there are other issues 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, the specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also ask you how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Then, they will determine if you meet the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also solicit input from people who know you and consider how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Psychologists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They will likely be able tell you within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not sure they'll take a full psychiatric history and examine your other health issues. This will include a look at other conditions which can coexist with ADHD as well as the conditions that can cause the wrong diagnosis of ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
However, if you are trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private companies that can offer assessments through a video call. The details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest that you look up the waiting time before you choose one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment so If this is important to you then make sure that they offer this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this service, so it's important to check with your GP to determine what the arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you have ADHD or other related disorders, you could ask your GP to refer you to an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and ask a referral to an expert.
You can expect to be evaluated by psychiatrists. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical history, in addition to asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. They may also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is guided by the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your present symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also look at other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. how to get a adhd assessment uk will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for many people. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, for example, women of color, those born at birth or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can prove ADHD. If ADHD is the cause there are many who are mistakenly diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can cause significant problems with personal and professional relationships and also with daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS service you can decide to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a number of treatment options. They include medication, psychosocial assistance or both. The best choice for each individual will depend on their unique requirements and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and help improve performance, psychosocial support can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or educational settings. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only assess for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by looking through the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from individuals who know the person like family members and friends.
If a specialist believes that the patient meets the criteria of ADHD they will go over the treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and decrease impulsiveness. They can be found in the form of tablets or injections, and they can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to treat side effects, such as issues with sleep and loss of appetite, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to manage anxiety or depression.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns about ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a significant amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment route which allows them to be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They should be attentive to your concerns and ask you about what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. They may also ask you to fill out screening tools to determine whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you to them, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England, the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is due to a high demand for this service, and many regions are struggling to keep pace with the demand.
If you are worried about the amount of time you have to wait for an appointment, you might consider writing a letter to your GP explaining what you need. This will allow them understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is acted on. Here you can download a sample of a letter from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and examine your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your ADHD-related symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. The assessment can take between 45 and 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video call.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible for medication through the NHS. However it's only feasible if you're able receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if do not want to wait for a GP to refer you, or if you don’t have one.
You can also seek out support 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 individual Trusts (except those that do not run a service) or by contacting their press offices.