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 needs to be addressed.
Before your appointment, you will be sent questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're experiencing difficulty concentrating and restlessness or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it might be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD could be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. It is important to keep in mind that there are other conditions that may be causing your issues and they should be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you've been experiencing these symptoms and how they impact your 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 look at how your symptoms impact your daily activities as well as requesting input from those who know you.
Psychologists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to determine in a short time if you meet the criteria. If they're not sure they'll conduct a comprehensive psychiatric review and examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD, as well as the conditions that could lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS, private providers can provide assessments via video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the wait times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can ask your GP about this, or call them directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. If this is important to you, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is important to check with your GP to find out what the arrangements are for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD or other related disorders, you may request your GP to refer you for an assessment. It's important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
When you go for your assessment, you can expect to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. This specialist will interview you about your life and medical background, in addition to asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. how to get assessed for adhd might be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is guided by the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also consider other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for many. This can be due to the stigma associated with the condition, as well as the lack of awareness among health professionals. People from certain groups can be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as women of color, those assigned at birth or non-native English speaking people.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis since there isn't a single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different condition, such as depression or anxiety, but the root of the issue is ADHD. This can cause significant problems in personal and professional relationships, as well as with day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the wait times at your local NHS services you can opt to go to a different provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about waiting times, you should contact the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best solution for each person will depend on their unique needs and circumstances. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can help with any coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD may also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or educational setting. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the specialist will also look at whether there are any comorbid mental health issues that often accompany or are similar to ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by reviewing the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from those who know the person like family members and close friends.
If a specialist believes an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss the treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. These can be found in tablets or injections, and can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for adverse effects like eating disorders and sleep disturbances which are often associated with ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns about 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, using FOI requests. This is a long time to wait for an essential service. Many people prefer to take the private assessment route since they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They should take your concerns seriously and ask you about why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to take screening tests to determine if you are qualified to be seen. 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. This is due to an enormous demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep up with the demand.
If you're worried about how long you'll have to wait, it may be helpful to write an email to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will allow them to understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is acted on. Here you can download a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. During the evaluation they'll look at your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other conditions that might cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They will also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video conference.
You may be eligible for medication through the NHS in the event that your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However it's only possible if you are able to receive 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.
Alternately, you can get help from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by browsing their websites (except for those that don't offer the service) or contacting them.