How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your consultation you will be given questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you are struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or are finding it difficult to manage your emotions then it may be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. It is essential to remember that other conditions could be causing you problems. These conditions must be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They'll also want to know how long you've been experiencing these symptoms and how they impact your life. Then, they will determine if you fit the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also seek opinions from people who know you and consider the impact of your symptoms on your daily life.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll be able to tell you fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they're unsure, they'll do a full psychiatric review and examine your other health problems. This will include a look at other conditions that could be associated with ADHD and also the conditions that can cause an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
However, if you are having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private companies that can provide assessments via a video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the waiting times of each service before deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP or contact the provider directly to find out how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatments following an assessment, so if this is important to you then make sure that they provide this service. Some providers have agreements to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so check with your GP about the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist if you suspect you may have ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs are unable to diagnose ADHD themselves. They can only relay your symptoms and ask for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
When you go for your evaluation, you'll be able to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical history, as well as asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also take into account other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine whether you suffer from ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for many. This can be because of the stigma surrounding the condition as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, individuals who belong to certain groups, for instance people of color, assigned a female at birth or non-native English speakers, may face discrimination when seeking help for their symptoms.
It can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis because there is no test that can prove the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the cause, many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can result in significant issues with professional and personal relationships, as well as with day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're dissatisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service, you can choose 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. You should contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. These include psychosocial support, medication or both. The best option for each individual will be based on their specific needs and situation. While medication can ease symptoms and help improve performance, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or educational setting. This is done under the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just assess for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of mental health which may often accompany or mimic ADHD among adults. This is done by looking through the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from those who are familiar with the person like family members and friends.
If a doctor believes the patient has the characteristics of ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment because they boost concentration and reduce the tendency to be impulsive. They can be found in the form of tablets or injections, and can have both short- and long-term effects.
psych assessment for adhd may be prescribed to treat side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, that can help deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns regarding ADHD to 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 an essential service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment option which allows them to be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step towards getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be considered seriously, and they'll ask you why you think you have ADHD. You might be asked to take a screening test to determine if your eligible for an appointment. Once your GP accepts to refer you, you'll be added to the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is because there is an enormous demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep pace with the demand.
If you're worried about how long you'll have to wait, it might be helpful to write a letter to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will assist them to understand the significance of the test and ensure that your request gets acted upon. Here you can download an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll look at your symptoms and investigate any mental health history that may be causing your ADHD symptoms. They will also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily routine. The test will typically last 45-90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or via video call.
You could be eligible for medication through the NHS in the event that your GP recommends you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However, this will only be feasible if you're able 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 like to cut down the waiting time, you can self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
You can also 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 run the service) or contacting them.