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 not acceptable and must be addressed.
Before your appointment you will be given pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or are finding it difficult to control your emotions, then it might be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way the brain works. However, it is crucial to recognize that there are other conditions that could be causing your difficulties, and these need to be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they affect 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 how your symptoms impact your daily life.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they will be able to determine quickly if you are eligible for an assessment. If they are not sure they'll conduct an extensive psychiatric assessment and look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD, as well as those that could result in 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 provide assessments via video call. The details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest that you look up the waiting times prior to you select one. You can ask your GP about this, or you can contact them directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatments following an assessment, so if this is important to you then make sure that they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is important to check with your GP to find out what arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you might have ADHD, you can request your GP to refer you for an assessment. It's important to keep in mind that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD They only relay symptoms and request for a referral to an expert.
You can anticipate to be evaluated by psychiatrists. The doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical history, as well as asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines developed 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 an infant. They will also take into consideration other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a struggle for many. This can be because of the stigma associated with the condition, as well as the lack of understanding by health professionals. In addition, people who belong to certain groups, such as those who are a person of colour, assigned female at birth, or not native English speakers, can be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test to confirm ADHD. When ADHD is the primary cause, many people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This can lead to significant issues in both personal and professional relationships as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. If you are unhappy with the wait times for your local NHS services, you can choose to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled a list of providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out about timeframes for waiting, contact the service providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These include psychosocial support, or both. The best option will depend on the individual's specific requirements and circumstances. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can help with any coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a few adjustments to their environment, for example, making adjustments to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or educational setting. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which often occur alongside or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done by examining symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from those who know the person, such as family members and close friends.
If a doctor believes the person has the characteristics of ADHD, they will discuss the treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce the impulsiveness. They can be found in the form of tablets or injections. They can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for adverse effects such as eating disorders and sleep disturbances that are sometimes associated ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a long amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many opt for the private assessment method which allows them to be self-referred to and have more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step towards getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to see your GP. assessed for adhd should be considered seriously, and they should ask you what you think you might have ADHD. You might be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you're eligible to be seen. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.
In England the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment 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 length of time you will have to wait for an assessment You may consider writing a letter to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will assist them to comprehend the importance of the examination and ensure that your request gets acted on. Here you can download an example of an email from ADHD UK.
After you have been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you to an assessment. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that could be causing your ADHD-related symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The assessment could take between 45 and 90 minutes and be conducted either in person or by video calls.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment You may be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. However this is only possible if you're able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have an GP who is willing to refer you, or you'd like to cut down the waiting time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral 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 area offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that do not provide the service) or by contacting them.