How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a huge difference in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to fill out that your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you are struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or find it difficult to manage your emotions, then it might be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way that the brain functions. It is essential to remember that other conditions may be causing problems for you. These conditions must be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire how long you've been suffering from the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will then determine if you meet 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 functioning and also seek input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able determine quickly if you meet the criteria for an assessment. If they're not certain they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that could coexist with ADHD, as well as those that could result in a missed diagnosis of ADHD like depression or anxiety.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS, private providers can offer assessments via video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times for each provider before choosing one. You can consult your GP about this, or contact directly to find out what their current wait is 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 with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's important to check with your GP to find out what the arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD, you may inquire with your GP to refer you for an assessment. However, it's important to note that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves. They can only relay your symptoms and ask for the referral to an expert in mental health.
When you attend your evaluation, you'll be able to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The doctor will ask questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They may also ask you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines developed by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. They will use these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD.
One of the most difficult things for people who have ADHD is getting the diagnosis. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, like people of color, women assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking people.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis as there is no test that can prove the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the primary cause many people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This can cause difficulties in professional and personal relationships, as well as in 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 see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. Contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. They include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The most suitable solution for each person will be based on their specific needs and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
Someone with ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or education settings. This can be done with the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just examine for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of mental health which can often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by looking through symptom checklists and asking for feedback from people who are familiar with the person, such as family members and close friends.
If a doctor believes that an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss possible treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment since they improve concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. They are available in tablets or injections and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed for adverse effects like eating disorders and sleep disturbances which are often associated with ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs need to take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients to an assessment and treatment when needed. However the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to get rid of according to an investigation by the BBC through FOI requests. This is a long amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many people choose the private assessment option and can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
adhd diagnosis assessment to receive an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they should ask you what you think you might have ADHD. You may be asked to complete a screening test to determine if you're qualified to be seen. Once your GP has agreed to refer you, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason why many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If you're worried about how long you'll have to wait, it might be beneficial to write an email to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will allow them to understand the significance of the test and ensure that your request is acted upon. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
If you've been referred to a specialist, you'll be invited to an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the evaluation, they'll review your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out any other conditions that might be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. The assessment could last between 45 and 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via 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 be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have a GP who will agree to refer you to them, or you'd prefer to avoid the wait and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or contacting them.