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.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to complete and your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly without the need for extended appointments.
Symptoms
If you have difficulty concentration, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it's recommended to consult a physician to determine if ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way that the brain functions. But it's important to remember that there are other issues that could be causing your difficulties, and these need to be considered before you are able to be diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, the specialist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you've been experiencing these symptoms and how they affect your life. Then, they will determine if you meet the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also ask for feedback from those who know you and look at how your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able tell fairly quickly whether you are eligible for an assessment. If they're not sure they'll conduct a thorough psychiatric review and examine your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD and the conditions that could lead to the wrong diagnosis of ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private companies that can provide assessments via video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you check out the waiting times before you decide on one. You can consult your GP about this, or contact them directly to inquire the current waiting times for an assessment. If this is important to you, make sure that they provide this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is worth checking with your GP to see what arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
Ask your GP for a referral in the event that you think you be suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep in mind that GPs can't diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
When you go for your assessment, you are likely to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. This specialist will interview you about your lifestyle and medical history, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your present symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. 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 people who have ADHD is obtaining a diagnosis. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. Additionally, those who belong to certain groups, such as those who are of colour, assigned female at birth, or are not native English people, could be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test to verify ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a other condition, such as depression or anxiety, but the root of the issue is ADHD. This can lead to significant issues with professional and personal relationships as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the waiting time at your local NHS service you can opt to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about timeframes for waiting, contact the service providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for those suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best solution for each person will depend on their individual needs and situation. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, while psychosocial support can help with any coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or in educational settings. This is done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only assess for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of mental health which can often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by examining symptom checklists and asking for feedback from those who know the person well, such as family members and friends.
If a medical professional believes that the patient has the characteristics of ADHD, they will discuss the treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. They are available in tablets or injections. They can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep disturbances that can be a result of ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs should take any concerns about possible ADHD seriously and are legally bound to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if required. According to the BBC that a backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a significant amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is the reason many individuals opt for the private assessment route and can be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be considered seriously and they should inquire why you think you have ADHD. They may also ask you to complete a screening tool to see whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. If your GP accepts to refer you, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to an enormous demand for this service, and many regions are struggling to keep pace with it.
If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it could be beneficial to write a letter to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will help them to be aware of the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is followed up upon. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
After you have been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and examine your mental health history to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your ADHD-related symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The test can be between 45 to 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video calls.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. However this is only possible if you're able to get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If cheap adhd assessment do not have a GP who is willing to refer you to them, or you want to avoid the waiting time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private healthcare provider.
You can also seek help from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that do not offer the service) or by contacting them.