How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will be provided with pre-screening questions to complete and your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment runs smoothly without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or find it difficult to control your emotions, then it might be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the reason. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. It is important to keep in mind that there are other conditions that might be causing your problems and they should be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you've been experiencing these symptoms, and how they affect your life. They will then assess whether you meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is also called the DSM-5. They will also consider how your symptoms impact your daily activities, as well as seeking input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able to determine quickly if you are eligible for diagnosis. If they're not sure, they'll do a full mental health exam and review your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that may be co-existent with ADHD, as well as those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD, such as depression or anxiety.
However, if you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private firms that provide assessments via video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times of each provider before choosing one. You can consult your GP about this, or you can call directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. If this is important to you, be sure they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is worthwhile to consult your GP to see what arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP for a referral If you suspect that you have ADHD. It's important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and ask for a referral to a specialist.
You can be assessed by psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You may be asked to answer questions or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your present symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also consider other comorbidities like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a struggle for a lot of people. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, as well as an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may also face discrimination if they seek help for their symptoms, such as women of color, those assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
adhd assessment price can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis as there is no test that can prove the presence of ADHD. If ADHD is the root cause there are many who are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can result in significant issues with personal and professional relationships and also with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait times at your local NHS service you can decide 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. To find out about waiting times, you should get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. These include medication, psychosocial support or both. The most suitable choice for each individual will depend on their individual needs and circumstances. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial support can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their environment for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in the workplace or education environments. This can be done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just assess for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of mental health which may often occur alongside or mimic ADHD among adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a medical professional believes that the person is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. They can be found in tablets or injections, and they can be used for short- or long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed to treat side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep disturbances which are often associated with ADHD. Some people can benefit from psychosocial therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD for an assessment and treatment. However, the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to get rid of, according to an investigation by the BBC through FOI requests. This is an extremely long time to wait for a service that is essential. Many people choose to go the private assessment route since they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to receive an ADHD assessment through the NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness, and they should ask you what you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They may also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
The average time to receive an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason why many areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you are concerned about the amount of time you have to wait for an appointment you may consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your GP recognize the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they will act upon your request. Here is a sample of a letter from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and examine any medical history that might be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The test can take between 45 to 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video calls.
You could be eligible for medication through the NHS when your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD Assessment. However this is only possible if you're able to get 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 even if you don't have a GP.
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 provide an assessment service) or by contacting their press offices.