How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your consultation you will receive questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation is smooth and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're having difficulty concentrating, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it's recommended to talk to a doctor about whether ADHD could be the problem. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way the brain works. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions may cause problems. These should be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also want to know how long you've been experiencing these symptoms and how they impact 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 also solicit opinions from people who know you and look at the impact of your symptoms on your daily life.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they will be able to tell fairly quickly whether you are eligible for an assessment. If they're not sure, they'll do a full psychiatric review and examine your other health issues. This includes looking at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD and also those that could lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
However, if you are having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private providers who can provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We suggest that you look up the wait times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can ask your GP about this, or call 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, make sure they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is important to check with your GP to find out what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist If you suspect that you have ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and ask for a referral to an expert.
You can expect to be assessed by psychiatrists. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical history, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as in your early years. They will also consider other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
One of the main challenges for those with ADHD is getting a diagnosis. This could be due to the stigma associated with the condition, as well as a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. In addition, people who belong to certain groups, for instance those who are of colour, assigned female at birth or non-native English people, could face discrimination when seeking help to treat their symptoms.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis because there is no test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the root cause is ADHD. assessments for adhd can cause significant difficulties in professional and personal relationships, as well as in everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS service you can decide to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact the providers directly to find out their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These can include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's unique requirements and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and help improve performance, psychosocial support can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or educational setting. This is done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to assessing for ADHD, the specialist will also look at whether there are any mental health conditions, which often accompany or appear to mimic ADHD in adults. This is done by looking through the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from people who are familiar with the person, such as family members and friends.
If a specialist believes an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over the treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They can be found in tablets or injections, and they can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to manage negative side effects, including issues with sleep and loss of appetite, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Certain individuals may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, that can help deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a long amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many individuals opt for the private assessment route which allows them to be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to see your GP. They'll consider your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you are eligible for an appointment. Once your GP agrees to refer you, you'll be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
In England The average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason some areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it could be helpful to write a letter to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will help them understand the importance of the assessment and ensure that your request is acted on. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. During the examination, they'll look at your symptoms and investigate any mental health history that may be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video call.
You could be eligible for medication through the NHS if your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. This is only possible when your doctor can refer you for an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if don't want to wait around for an GP to refer you, or in the event that you don't have one.
Alternatively, you can seek out support from your local mental health 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 provide the service) or by contacting them.