How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a significant variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to fill out and your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment is smooth and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with anxiety and irritability or are finding it difficult to manage your emotions, then it might be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects how the brain performs. It is important to keep in mind that there are other issues that might be causing your problems, and these need to be taken into consideration before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, the specialist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you have been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your life. They will then determine if you fit 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 consider how your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able to quickly determine if you're eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll take an extensive psychiatric assessment and look at your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that could coexist with ADHD and those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers can offer assessments via video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the wait times for each service before deciding on one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can call them directly to inquire what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is crucial to your needs, make sure that they provide this service. Some providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so check with your GP about the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. However, it's important to note that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only communicate your symptoms and ask for an appointment with an expert in mental health.
You can expect to be evaluated by psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms affect your life. They may also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessing is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will assess your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into consideration other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. They will utilize these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for a lot of people. This can be due to the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of awareness by health professionals. People from certain groups can also face discrimination if they seek help for their symptoms, such as women of color, people of color assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no single test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause many people are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. 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 Assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service you can decide to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact the providers directly to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for those suffering from ADHD. These can include psychosocial therapy, medication or both. The best option will depend on the individual's specific needs and circumstances. While medication can ease symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or in educational settings. This is done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only look for ADHD but also look for 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 the specialist believes that an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment since they improve concentration and reduce the tendency to be impulsive. They are available as tablets or injections and can have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to treat side effects such as insomnia and loss of appetite that can be a result of ADHD. Certain individuals may also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients who have concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC that a backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment method, where they can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be considered seriously, and they should ask you why you think you have ADHD. They may request you to complete an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. Once camhs adhd assessment has agreed to refer you to them, 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 the an enormous demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep pace with the demand.
If you are concerned about the amount of time you be waiting for an assessment You may consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help them comprehend the significance of the test and ensure that your request is acted upon. Here you can download a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the assessment they will review your symptoms and examine any mental health history that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or via video conference.
You could be eligible for medication through the NHS when your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. However this is only possible if you are able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you 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 locate a list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of individual Trusts (except those that do not run a service) or by contacting their press offices.