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 unacceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to complete, which your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will ensure that your consultation is smooth and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you have difficulty staying focused, calming down or managing your emotions, it is recommended to talk to a doctor about whether ADHD could be the problem. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain works. It is essential to remember that other conditions may be causing you problems. These need to be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They will also ask you how long you've experienced the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider how your symptoms impact your daily functioning as well as requesting feedback from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able quickly determine if you're eligible for diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll conduct an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as look at your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD and those that could result in an undiagnosed case of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
However, if you are trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private providers who can provide assessments via video call. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend to look over the waiting time before you choose one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can contact directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment, therefore If this is important to you, then ensure that they provide this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you might have ADHD, you can ask your GP to refer you to an assessment. But, it's important to know that GPs are unable to diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only provide information about your symptoms and request for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
If you are scheduled for an evaluation, you'll be able to consult with a psychiatrist consultant. The doctor will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is guided by the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also look at comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. They will apply these criteria to determine if or not you have ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD is a difficult task for many. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Additionally, those from certain groups, like those who are of color, assigned a female at birth, or not native English speakers, may be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.
adhd diagnostic assessment isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no single test that can prove the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with other condition, such as depression or anxiety, even though the underlying problem is ADHD. This can cause significant problems in personal and professional relationships as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are unhappy with the wait times for your local NHS services You can choose to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together a list of providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should contact the service providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for people with ADHD. These include psychosocial support, medication, or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's specific requirements and circumstances. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, while psychosocial support can help with any co-existing issues like depression or anxiety.
A person with ADHD could also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or educational settings. This can be done with the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only assess for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of mental health which can often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done through the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a specialist believes that the patient meets the criteria of ADHD they will go over the treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment, as they increase concentration and reduce the tendency to be impulsive. These are available as tablets or injections and can be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to manage adverse effects, like issues with sleep and loss of appetite that are often related to ADHD. Some people also benefit from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns about ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a long period of waiting for a service that is essential. Many people choose to take the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment on NHS. They should take your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to have ADHD. They may also ask you to fill out screening tools to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is because there is a high demand for the service, and many regions are struggling to keep up with the demand.
If you're concerned about how long you'll need to wait, it may be beneficial to write a letter to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will help your GP understand the importance and urgency of the test, and ensure that they act upon your request. Here you can download a sample of the letter from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred, a psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the assessment they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other conditions that might be causing your ADHD-related symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The test will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video conference.
You may be qualified for medication on the NHS in the event that your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be possible if your GP can recommend you for an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who is willing to refer you, or you want to avoid the wait time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private healthcare provider.
Alternately, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. You can locate a list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of individual Trusts (except those that do not run an assessment service) or contacting their press offices.