How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS

There are a lot of differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.

You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to complete that your psychiatrist will go over prior to you meet. This will ensure that your consultation is smooth and without the need for extended appointments.

Symptoms

If you're having difficulty staying focused, calming down or controlling your emotions, it is recommended to consult a physician to determine if ADHD may be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain operates. But it's important to remember that there are other issues that might be causing your problems and they should be considered before you are able to be diagnosed with ADHD.

If you go to an ADHD assessment, your therapist will start by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you have been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. They will then determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider how your symptoms interfere with your daily functioning and also seek input from those who know you.

Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they will be able to determine quickly if you're eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not sure, they will carry out an extensive psychiatric assessment and look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD and also those which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.

If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS, private providers can provide assessments through video calls. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend that you check out the waiting times prior to you decide on one. You can consult your GP about this, or call directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is crucial to your needs, make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP about the arrangements for your area.

Diagnosis

Request your GP to refer you to a specialist If you suspect that you have ADHD. However, it's important to note that GPs are unable to 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 have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to answer questions or rating scales.

The assessment process is based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also consider other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.

One of the most difficult things for those with ADHD is getting a diagnosis. This is due to the stigma surrounding the condition and an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, individuals from certain groups, such as those who are of color, assigned a female at birth, or not native English speakers, can be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.

It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis since there is no single test that can prove the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the primary cause there are many who are mistakenly diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can cause significant issues in both personal and professional relationships, as well as in daily functioning.

The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait time at your local NHS service you can opt to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled an inventory of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out the wait times, contact the service providers.

Treatment


A number of treatment options are available for those suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial assistance or both. The best option will depend on the individual's particular requirements and circumstances. Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial therapy can address any co-existing issues like depression or anxiety.

A person suffering from ADHD could also 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 clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.

In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the specialist will also examine whether there are any mental health issues, which often accompany or are similar to ADHD in adults. This is done by looking through symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from those who are familiar with the person like family members and friends.

If a specialist believes an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment since they improve concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. These can be found in the form of tablets or injections, and they can have both short- and long-term effects.

Other medications may be prescribed to control side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep problems that are often related to ADHD. Some people also benefit from psychosocial therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to manage anxiety or depression.

GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns about ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC, a backlog in ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to clear. This is a significant amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many people choose the private assessment method, where they can be self-referred and have more direct access to specialists.

Support

Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They should take your concerns seriously and ask you about the reasons you think you have ADHD. They may also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine if you're eligible for an appointment. If your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.

In England, the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason many areas are struggling with keeping up.

If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it may be beneficial to write a letter to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will assist them to comprehend the importance of the assessment and ensure that your request is followed up on. You can download the sample letter from ADHD UK here.

Once you've been referred for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an appointment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily life. The test will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video conference.

If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive treatment through the NHS. However how to get assessed for adhd iampsychiatry.uk 's only possible if you are able to get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have an GP who will agree to refer you, or you want to avoid the waiting time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private healthcare provider.

You can also seek help 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 do not offer the service) or by contacting them.