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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.
You will be provided with pre-screening questions to fill out that your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you have difficulty concentration, restlessness or managing your emotions, it is worth consulting a doctor about whether ADHD may be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain functions. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions could be causing you problems. These need to be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you've been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They will then determine if you meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also called the DSM-5. They will also consider how your symptoms impact your daily functioning, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists have plenty of experience diagnosing ADHD. They will likely be able to determine fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they are not sure they'll take an extensive psychiatric assessment and look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that can coexist with ADHD, as well as those that could result in an undiagnosed case of ADHD, such as depression or anxiety.
If you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private firms that offer assessments through a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times of each provider before choosing one. You can consult your GP or contact the provider directly to learn the length of time they are waiting for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatments following an assessment, so if this is important to you, make sure they offer this service. Certain providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs can't diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and ask a referral to a specialist.
When you attend your assessment, you are likely to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessing is based upon the guidelines established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will assess your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also take into consideration comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. They will use these criteria to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for people who have ADHD is obtaining the diagnosis. This is because of the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of understanding by health professionals. In addition, people who belong to certain groups, such as those who are of color, a woman at birth or non-native English speakers, may face discrimination when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test that can prove ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a different condition, such as depression or anxiety, even though the root cause is ADHD. This can cause significant problems with personal and professional relationships, as well as with day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait time at your local NHS service you can opt to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact adhd assessment uk online to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. They can include psychosocial support, medication or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's unique requirements and situation. While medication can ease symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial support can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or educational settings. This is done under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of mental health which can often occur alongside or mimic ADHD among adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who know you well to provide feedback.
If a doctor believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss the treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. They are available in tablets or injections and can be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to control adverse effects, like issues with sleep and loss of appetite that are often associated with ADHD. Certain people may also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to manage underlying depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. However the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to get rid of, according to the BBC's investigation through FOI requests. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment route, where they can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they'll ask you why you think you have ADHD. They may request you to complete a screening tool to see whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to an overwhelming demand for the service and many areas are struggling to keep up with it.
If you're worried about the length of time you will be waiting for an assessment You may consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your doctor recognize the importance and urgency of the assessment and make sure they will act upon your request. adhd assessment uk online can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you've been recommended, you'll be invited to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. 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 routine. The test typically lasts 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or through a video call.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible for medication through the NHS. However, this will only be feasible if you're able get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or if you don’t have one.
You can also get help from your local mental health trust. You can locate the list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not run a service) or contacting their press offices.
