10 Fundamentals About ADHD Assessment UK You Didn't Learn At School
How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your appointment you will be given pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or find it difficult to control your emotions, then it may 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 functions. It is important to remember that other conditions may cause problems. These should be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They will also ask you how long you've been suffering from the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will then assess whether you meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is also called the DSM-5. They will also solicit feedback from those who know you and look at how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they will be able to determine quickly if you meet the criteria for diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that may coexist with ADHD and those that could result in the wrong diagnosis of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
However, if you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private firms that provide assessments via a video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest that you check out the waiting time before you decide on one. You can consult your GP or call the provider directly to learn the time they are waiting for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment therefore should this be a priority for you, then ensure that they offer this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so check with your GP regarding the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and ask for a referral to a specialist.
You can anticipate to be assessed by psychiatrists. The specialist will talk to you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking 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 based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were an infant. They will also consider comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. 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 is due to the stigma that surrounds the condition and a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. Additionally, those from certain groups, like those who are a person of color, assigned a female at birth or non-native English speakers, may be discriminated against when seeking treatment for their symptoms.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis since there is no test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. If ADHD is the cause many people are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This can cause difficulties in professional and personal relationships as well as 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 times at your local NHS service, you can choose to visit a different service through the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about wait times, get in touch with the providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a number of treatment options. These include psychosocial therapy, medication, or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's unique needs and circumstances. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve functioning, while psychosocial support can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD could also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or education environments. This can be done with the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The doctor will not just examine for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of mental health which can often occur alongside or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a specialist believes that the patient meets the criteria of ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. These can be found in tablets or injections, and 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 that can be a result of ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, that can help combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally obliged to refer patients with concerns about ADHD for an assessment and treatment. 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 amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many opt for the private assessment option which allows them to be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to see your GP. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to have ADHD. They may also ask you to complete an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they'll put you on the NHS waiting list.
The average time to receive an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to the a high demand for the service, and many regions are struggling to keep pace with the demand.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will be waiting for an appointment you may consider writing a letter to your GP explaining what you need. This will assist them to be aware of the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is followed up upon. Here you can download an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
If how much does an adhd assessment cost 've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that could be causing your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The test typically lasts 45-90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or through a video conference.
You could be qualified for medication on the NHS when your GP recommends you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be attainable when your doctor can refer you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if don't want to wait around for an GP to refer you or even if you don't have a GP.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or by contacting them.