How to Get an 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.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to fill out and your psychiatrist will go over prior to you meet. This will help to ensure that your consultation runs smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you are struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it may be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the reason. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way the brain works. It is important to keep in mind that there are other issues that may be causing your issues and should be considered before you can be diagnosed as having ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They will also inquire how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your life. Then, they'll 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 consider how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they will be able to tell fairly quickly whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll conduct a comprehensive mental health exam and review your other health problems. This will include a look at other illnesses that can coexist with ADHD as well as those which can lead to the wrong diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
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 suggest that you look up the wait times for each provider before choosing one. You can consult your GP about this, or call them directly to inquire what their current wait is for an assessment. Some providers also offer treatment following an assessment, therefore if this is important to you then make sure that they do 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 available in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you might have ADHD and you suspect it, you can ask your GP to refer you for an assessment. However, it's important to note that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves - they can only communicate your symptoms and ask for an appointment with a mental health specialist.
When you attend your assessment, you are likely to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. This specialist will ask you questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also take into account comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD is a difficult task for many people. This is because of the stigma associated with the condition as well as the lack of understanding by healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can be subject to discrimination when they seek help for their symptoms, like women of color, people of color assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
There is no test to verify ADHD. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a other condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the underlying problem is ADHD. This can cause significant problems with professional and personal relationships, as well as with day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the waiting time at your local NHS service you can opt to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together the list of providers who offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out the waiting times, you should contact the service providers.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for people with ADHD. These include psychosocial support, medication or both. The most suitable solution for each person will depend on their individual needs and situation. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD could benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work environments. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
In addition to assessing for ADHD, the specialist will also examine whether there are any other mental health issues that often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done through the use of symptom checklists, and also by asking those who know you well to give feedback.
If a doctor believes the person is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment because they boost concentration and decrease the tendency to be impulsive. These are available as tablets or injections and can have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to control side effects, such as sleep problems and appetite loss, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to manage underlying depression or anxiety.
GPs must take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients to an assessment and treatment when required. However the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to eliminate according to the BBC's investigation, using FOI requests. This is a significant amount of time to wait for a vital 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
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously and they'll ask you what you think you might be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to take a screening test to determine if you are qualified to be seen. Once your GP agrees to refer you, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
In England The average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The demand for this service is the reason why many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If you're worried about the amount of time you have to wait to be assessed, you might consider writing a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your GP be aware of the importance and urgency of the assessment and make sure they take action on your request. You can download an example letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the assessment they'll look at your symptoms and examine your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. I Am Psychiatry lasts 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video calls.
You may be qualified for medication on the NHS in the event that your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be attainable when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is a possibility if do not want to wait for an GP to refer you or in the event that you don't have one.
You can also get help from your local mental health trust. You can locate the list of NHS mental health trusts that provide ADHD assessments in your area by searching the websites of the individual Trusts (except those which do not offer services) or contacting their press offices.