How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to fill out and your psychiatrist will review before you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're having difficulty staying focused, calming down or controlling your emotions, it's worth consulting a doctor to determine if ADHD may be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way that 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 are able to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also ask how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and how they affect your life. Then, they will determine if you fit the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will look at how your symptoms interfere with your daily activities as well as requesting opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They will likely be able to determine in a short time if you meet the criteria. If they're not sure they'll take a full psychiatric history and look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD as well as those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
If you're struggling to get an ADHD assessment from the NHS, private providers can provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP or call the provider directly to find out how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. If this is important to you, be sure they offer this service. Some providers have contracts to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP about the arrangements in your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and suggest for a referral to an expert.
You can be assessed by psychiatrists. The doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical history, as well as asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is guided by the guidelines laid out 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 when you were a child. They will also take into consideration comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for many people. This could be because of the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of understanding by health professionals. Certain groups of people may also face discrimination if they seek help for their symptoms, such as women of color, people of color assigned at birth or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can confirm ADHD. When ADHD is the cause many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can lead to significant issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as daily functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait time at your local NHS service you can opt to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. It is recommended to contact the provider directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These include psychosocial aid or both. The best option will depend on the individual's particular requirements and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and help improve performance, psychosocial support can help treat co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a few adjustments to their surroundings, like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or in educational settings. This can be done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. adhd diagnostic assessment will be done by looking through symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from people who know the person like family members and close friends.
If a specialist believes the person is in the right place for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment because they boost concentration and decrease the tendency to be impulsive. They are available in tablets or injections, and can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to treat side effects like sleep disturbances and appetite loss that can be a result of ADHD. Some people also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to manage depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. However the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to clear, according to the BBC's investigation, through FOI requests. This is a significant amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is the reason many people choose the private assessment method and can be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they should ask you what you think you might have 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'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to the a high demand for the service, and many areas are struggling to keep up with it.
If you're concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it could be beneficial to write an email to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will help your doctor understand the importance and urgency of the assessment and make sure they take action on your request. Here you can download an example of a letter from ADHD UK.
After you've been recommended, you'll be invited to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and look over your mental health history to rule out any other medical conditions that could cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily routine. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or by video calls.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible for medication through the NHS. However it's only possible if you are able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who will agree to refer you, or you'd prefer to avoid the waiting time, you can self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
Alternately, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. You can determine 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 contacting them.