How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a significant variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
You will be provided with pre-screening questions to complete that your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with anxiety and irritability or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then it may be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD could be the reason. About 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way the brain operates. It is important to keep in mind that there are other conditions that could be causing your difficulties and they should be taken into consideration before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you have 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 also known as the DSM-5. They will also seek opinions from people who know you and look at how your symptoms affect your daily functioning.
Psychiatrists have plenty of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to tell you within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not certain, they'll do a full psychiatric review and examine your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that can coexist with ADHD and the conditions that could lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment through 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 check out the waiting times before you choose one. You can consult your GP or contact the provider directly to learn the length of time they are waiting for an assessment. If this is essential to your needs, make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have agreements to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you might have ADHD, you could request your GP to refer you to an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs can't diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and ask for a referral to an expert.
You can be assessed by a psychiatrist. This specialist will ask you questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They may also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your present symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also take into account other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. how much is an adhd assessment will use these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD is a difficult task for many. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of awareness by healthcare professionals. Certain groups of people may be discriminated against if they seek help for their symptoms, such as women of color, those assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can confirm ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause, many people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This can lead to significant issues with professional and personal relationships and also with daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're dissatisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service, you can choose to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. You should contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a number of treatment options. These include psychosocial support, or both. The most appropriate solution for each person will be based on their specific needs and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in educational or work environments. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
In addition to assessing for ADHD, the specialist will also examine whether there are any other mental health conditions, which frequently accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and also by asking those who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a specialist believes that the patient has the characteristics of ADHD, they will discuss the treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. These can be found 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. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients who have concerns about ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many individuals opt for the private assessment method which allows them to be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to receive an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously and they should ask you why you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England the average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason why many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it could be helpful to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will allow your GP to understand the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they take action on your request. Here is a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the assessment they'll discuss your symptoms and examine your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They will also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily routine. The assessment could be between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be done in person or by video calls.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. However, this will only be possible if you're able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have a GP who is willing to refer you, or you'd prefer to avoid the wait time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.
Alternatively, you can seek out support from your local mental health trust. You can find the list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those which do not offer a service) or by contacting their press offices.