How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a lot of differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
You will be provided with pre-screening questions to fill out that your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then you should consider visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the reason. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way that the brain functions. But it's important to remember that there are other issues that might be causing your problems, and these need to be considered before you are able to be diagnosed as having ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you've been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your life. They'll then determine if you meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is also known as the DSM-5. They will look at the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily life, as well as seeking input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they will be able to determine quickly if you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll take a full psychiatric history and examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that may coexist with ADHD and the conditions that could lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
If you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private companies that can offer assessments through a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the waiting times of each one prior to deciding on one. You can ask your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. If this is important to you, be sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's important to check with your GP to find out what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, you can request your GP to refer you to an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and request for a referral to a specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you are likely to consult with a psychiatrist consultant. This specialist will ask you questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. They may also require 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 specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also look at comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. They will utilize these criteria to determine if or not you have ADHD.
One of the most difficult things for people who have ADHD is getting the diagnosis. This could be due to the stigma associated with the condition as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, individuals who belong to certain groups, for instance those who are a person of color, a woman at birth, or not native English speakers, may be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.
It can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis since there isn't a single test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a different condition, such as depression or anxiety, even though the root of the issue is ADHD. This can result in significant issues with personal and professional relationships as well as daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. add adhd assessment means that if you're unhappy 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 an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. Contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a variety of treatment options. These include psychosocial therapy, medication or both. The most appropriate option for each individual will depend on their unique needs and situation. The use of medication can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial therapy can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, for example, making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or in educational settings. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
In addition to testing for ADHD and other disorders, the specialist will also look at whether there are any other mental health issues, which often occur in conjunction with or are similar to ADHD in adults. This is done by reviewing the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from people who know the person well like family members and friends.
If add adhd assessment believes an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over possible treatment options. The most common treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They are available as pills or injections and may have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed for side effects like sleep disturbances and appetite loss that are sometimes associated ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs need to be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if needed. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is an extended period of waiting for a service that is essential. Many people choose to take the private assessment route because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you to explain what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. They may also ask you to fill out a screening tool to see if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they will 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 why many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're worried about the length of time you will have to wait to be assessed You may consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help them to understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is acted upon. Here is a sample of the letter from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred, you'll be invited to an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health history to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment could last between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be done in person or by video call.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment You may be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. This will only be possible if your GP can refer 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 if you don’t have one.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that don't provide the service) or contacting them.