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 unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to fill out, which your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you are having trouble concentrating, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it is worth consulting a doctor to determine if ADHD could be the problem. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain functions. It's important to be aware that other conditions could be causing you problems. These conditions must be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They will also ask you how long you've experienced the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also seek opinions from people who know you and look at how your symptoms affect your daily life.
you can try this out have plenty of experience diagnosing ADHD. They'll be able to tell you within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not certain, they'll do a full mental health exam and review your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions which can coexist with ADHD as well as those which can lead to a misdiagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
However, if you are having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private companies that can provide assessments via video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you check out the waiting times before you select one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment, therefore if this is important to you then make sure that they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is important to check with your GP to see what arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you be suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and request for a referral to a specialist.
You can anticipate to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical history, as well as asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your 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 examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also look at comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. They will utilize these criteria to determine if or not you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a struggle for many. This is because of the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of understanding by health professionals. Certain groups of people may be subject to discrimination when they seek help for their symptoms, like people of color, women born at birth or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test to confirm ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a different disorder, like depression or anxiety, but the underlying problem is ADHD. This can lead to significant issues with professional and personal relationships as well as daily functioning.
The NHS offers a 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 opt to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together the list of providers who offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the wait times, contact the providers.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available for those suffering from ADHD. They can include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's unique needs and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD might also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or educational setting. This is done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to testing for ADHD and other disorders, the specialist will also determine if there are any comorbid mental health issues that often accompany or are similar to ADHD in adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists and also by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a specialist believes that the person is a candidate for ADHD they will go over the treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to control side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs must take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients for an assessment and treatment when required. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation using FOI requests. This is an extended period of waiting for an essential service. Many people choose to go the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step towards getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be taken seriously, and they should inquire why you think you be suffering from ADHD. They may also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they'll put you on the NHS waiting list.
The average time to receive an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it could be beneficial to write an email to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will help your GP understand the importance and urgency of the assessment, and ensure that they take action on your request. 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 examination they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They will also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The test can last between 45 and 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video calls.
You may be eligible for medication on the NHS if your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This is only possible when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if don't want to wait around for an GP to refer you, or even if you don't have a GP.
You can also seek help from your local mental trust. You can find a list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not provide an assessment service) or by contacting their press offices.