How to Get add adhd assessment on the NHS
There are significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Prior to your appointment, you will be sent questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your appointment is smooth and without the need for extended appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you are struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it might be worth seeing 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. But it's important to remember that there are other conditions that might be causing your problems and they should be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your therapist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also ask you how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your life. They'll then determine if you meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as the DSM-5. They will also seek opinions from people who know you, and will consider how your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Psychologists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They will likely be able to tell you within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not certain they'll conduct an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as look at your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that could coexist with ADHD and those that could result in a missed diagnosis of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS, private providers can 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 one prior to deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP or call the service directly to find out how long they are currently waiting for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, make sure that they provide this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to provide this service, so it's worth checking with your GP to determine what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you have ADHD or other related disorders, you can request your GP to refer you to an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and request a referral to an expert.
You can be evaluated by psychiatrist. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical history, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is guided by the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. They will utilize these criteria to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for many people. This is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, people belonging to certain groups, such as those who are of color, a woman at birth, or are not native English people, could face discrimination when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test that can prove ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a different disorder, like depression or anxiety, but the root of the issue is ADHD. This can cause issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service you can opt to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about timeframes for waiting, get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available to people suffering from ADHD. These can include medication, psychosocial support or both. The most suitable choice for each individual will depend on their individual needs and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and improve performance, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Someone with ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work settings. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will not only assess for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of the mental health, which may often accompany or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists, and by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a doctor believes the person meets the criteria of ADHD, they will discuss the treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections, and can have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for adverse effects such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss that are sometimes associated ADHD. Certain people may benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to treat anxiety or depression.
GPs must take any concerns about possible ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if needed. However, the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation by submitting FOI requests. This is a long time to wait for an essential service. Many people opt to go the route of private assessment because they are able to self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they should ask you why you think you be suffering from ADHD. They might request you to complete a screening tool to see whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
In England, the average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is due to an overwhelming 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 recognize the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they act upon your request. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
If you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that may be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or through a video conference.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. This will only be attainable in the event that your GP is able to recommend you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if do not want to wait for a GP to refer you or even if you don't have a GP.
Alternately, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. You can find a list of NHS mental health trusts that provide ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not run an assessment service) or by contacting their press offices.