How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a number of significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment, you will be sent questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation is run smoothly and without the need for extended appointments.
Symptoms
If you're having difficulty concentrating, restlessness or managing your emotions, it's recommended to talk to a doctor about whether ADHD may be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way the brain works. But it's important to remember that there are other conditions that might be causing your problems, and these need to be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, the specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you have been suffering from these symptoms, and how they affect your life. They will then determine if you meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also known as the DSM-5. They will also solicit opinions from people who know you and look at how your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able to determine quickly if you meet the criteria for diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll take a full psychiatric history and examine your other health issues. This will include looking at other illnesses that can coexist with ADHD and also those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
However, if you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private providers who can offer assessments through a video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend to look over the waiting times before you choose one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or you can contact directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP for a referral If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
When you go for your evaluation, you'll be able to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical history, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms affect your life. They may also ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for those suffering from ADHD is obtaining a diagnosis. This can be because of the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of awareness by health professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as women of color, those born, or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test to confirm ADHD. If ADHD is the cause many people are mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can cause significant issues in both personal and professional relationships as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS services you can opt to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. You should contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for those suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial aid or both. The most suitable option for each individual will depend on their unique needs and situation. cheap adhd assessment of medication can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial support can help with any co-existing conditions like depression or anxiety.
A person with ADHD can also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work environments. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
In addition to assessing 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 will be done by reviewing symptom checklists and asking for feedback from people who are familiar with the person, such as family members and friends.
If a medical professional believes that the person is a candidate for ADHD they will go over the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. They can be found in the form of tablets or injections, and they can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for adverse effects, such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss which are often associated with ADHD. Certain individuals may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, that can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs should take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment whenever required. However the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation using FOI requests. This is a significant amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many individuals opt for the private assessment option which allows them to be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously and they'll ask you what you think you might have ADHD. They may request you to complete screening tools to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. After your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
In England the average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it may be beneficial to write a letter to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will allow your GP to recognize the importance and urgency of the test, and ensure that they act upon your request. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the evaluation they'll discuss your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that might be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment can be between 45 and 90 minutes, and be conducted either in person or via video conference.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. However, this will only be possible if you're able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or even if you don't have a GP.
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 run the service) or contacting them.