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 not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to fill out and your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment runs smoothly without the need for extended appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're experiencing restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it may be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the reason. Around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way the brain functions. But it's important to remember that there are other issues that might be causing your problems and they should be taken into consideration before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, the specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also ask you how long you've been suffering from the symptoms and how they affect your life. They will then determine if you are in compliance with the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will consider how your symptoms impact your daily activities, as well as seeking feedback from those who know you.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They'll be able to determine fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they're not certain, they will carry out an extensive psychiatric assessment and look at your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD, as well as those that could result in 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. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest that you look up the waiting times before you select one. You can either inquire with your GP or call the provider directly to determine how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, make sure they provide this service. cost of adhd assessment have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is worth checking with your GP to find out what the arrangements are for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you have ADHD, you may ask your GP to refer you for an assessment. But, it's important to remember that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves. They are able to provide information about your symptoms and request for a referral to a mental health specialist.
When you attend your evaluation, you'll be able to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your health history, lifestyle and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You might be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessing is based on the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will look at your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into account comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for a lot of people. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can also face discrimination if they seek help for their symptoms, for example, women of color, people of color born at birth or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. When ADHD is the cause many people are mistakenly diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can lead to 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 evaluations. This means that if you're not satisfied with the waiting time at your local NHS service you can decide to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the timeframes for waiting, contact the providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. They can include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The most suitable choice for each individual will depend on their unique needs and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD can benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work settings. This can be done under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the doctor will also determine if there are any mental health issues that frequently accompany or appear to mimic ADHD in adults. This is done by reviewing symptom checklists and asking for feedback from individuals who are familiar with the person, such as family members and close friends.
If the specialist believes that an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about the treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which increase concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections, and can have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to control adverse effects, like sleep problems and appetite loss, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many people choose the private assessment route and can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. They should be attentive to your concerns and ask why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP agrees to refer you, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
In England the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is due to the an enormous demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep pace with it.
If you're concerned about how long you'll need to wait, it could be beneficial to write an email to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will allow your GP to be aware of the importance and urgency of the examination and make sure they will act on your request. Here you can download a sample of a letter from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred to a specialist to a specialist, you'll be referred to an appointment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the evaluation they'll discuss your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment could be between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be done in person or by video calls.
If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could 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. You can self-refer if you don't want to wait around for a GP to refer you or if you don’t have one.
You can also get help from your local mental health trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by browsing their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or by contacting them.