How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a significant variation in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Prior to your appointment you will be given questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you are struggling with anxiety and irritability or find it difficult to manage your emotions, then it may be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects how the brain performs. It's important to remember that other conditions may be causing you problems. These need to be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you take part in an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also inquire how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your life. They will then determine if you meet the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily activities and also seek input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they will be able to determine quickly if you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll conduct a thorough mental health exam and review your other health problems. This will include looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD and the conditions that could lead to an undiagnosed case of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
If you're struggling to get 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 that you check the waiting times for each provider before choosing one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, be sure they offer this service. Certain providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD. However, it's important to know that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only provide information about your symptoms and request for the referral to a mental health specialist.
You can anticipate to be assessed by a psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is based upon the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were in your early years. They will also take into account other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
One of the main challenges for those suffering from ADHD is obtaining an diagnosis. This can be because of the stigma surrounding the condition as well as a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. Additionally, those who belong to certain groups, like people of color, a woman at birth or non-native English people, could face discrimination when seeking help for their symptoms.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis because there is no test that can establish the presence of ADHD. If ADHD is the primary cause there are many who are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can cause significant problems in personal and professional relationships as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're dissatisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service, you can choose 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. You should contact the providers directly to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial aid or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's unique needs and circumstances. While medication can ease symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can address coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or in educational settings. This is done under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only examine for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of mental health which may often be a part of or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who know you well to provide feedback.
If a medical professional believes that the patient is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment since they improve concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They can be found in the form of tablets or injections, and can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to control negative side effects, including eating disorders and sleep problems that are often related to ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to clear according to the BBC's investigation, using FOI requests. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many opt for the private assessment route which allows them to be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they should ask you why you think you have ADHD. They may request you to complete screening tools to determine whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The demand for this service is the reason why many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If Home Page concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it might be beneficial to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will help your GP recognize the importance and urgency of the examination and make sure they take action upon your request. Here is an example of an email from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that could cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily routine. The assessment could last between 45 to 90 minutes and can be done in person or by video calls.
You may be qualified for medication on the NHS when your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This is only possible in the event that your GP is able to refer you to an assessment using the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or if you don’t have one.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can locate a list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not run an assessment service) or contacting their press offices.