How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Before your consultation you will receive questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with anxiety and irritability or find it difficult to control your emotions, then it might be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain performs. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions may cause problems. These conditions must be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, the specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also inquire about how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you fit the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also seek feedback from those who know you, and will consider how your symptoms impact your daily functioning.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able tell fairly quickly whether you are eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll conduct an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD and those that could result in an undiagnosed case of ADHD like depression or anxiety.
If you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment from the NHS, private providers can provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the wait times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is important to your needs, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is important to check with your GP to see what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you have ADHD, you could ask your GP to refer you for an assessment. It's important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and request a referral to an expert.
If you are scheduled for an evaluation, you'll be able to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. They might also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will assess your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were in your early years. They will also consider comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
camhs adhd assessment of diagnosing ADHD is a difficult task for many. This is because of the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of understanding by health professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, for example, people of color, women born, or non-native English speaking people.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there isn't a single test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. If ADHD is the cause there are many who are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This can cause significant problems with professional and personal relationships, as well as with daily functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the wait times at your local NHS services You can choose to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. You should contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. These include medication, psychosocial assistance, or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's unique needs and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD may also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or educational settings. This can be done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can often occur alongside or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be done through the use of symptom checklists and by asking people who know you well to give feedback.
If a doctor believes the patient meets the criteria of ADHD they will go over the options for treatment. Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment since they improve concentration and decrease the tendency to be impulsive. They are available in tablets or injections. They can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat side effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss which are often associated with ADHD. Certain people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to manage depression or anxiety.
GPs should be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously, and they are legally bound to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if needed. However, the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to get rid of, according to the BBC's investigation through FOI requests. This is a long amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is the reason many individuals opt for the private assessment route, where they can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. Your concerns should be considered seriously and they'll ask you what you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to take screening tests to determine if you are eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you to them, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average time to receive 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 you are concerned about the amount of time you have to wait for an assessment You may consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your doctor understand the importance and urgency of the test and make sure they take action upon your request. Here is a sample of the letter from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred, you'll be invited to an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the assessment they'll look at 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 will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or through a video conference.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. This will only be attainable in the event that your GP is able to refer you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who will agree to refer you, or you'd prefer to avoid the waiting time it is possible to self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can find the list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of individual Trusts (except those which do not offer a service) or by contacting their press offices.