How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS

There are a number of 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 complete that your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your consultation runs smoothly without the need for long appointments.

Signs and symptoms

If you have difficulty concentrating, restlessness or controlling your emotions, it's recommended to talk to a doctor to determine if ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, an illness that affects the way that the brain functions. But it's important to remember that there are other issues that could be causing your difficulties and should be considered before you are able to be diagnosed as having ADHD.

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you have been suffering from these symptoms, and how they affect your life. Then, they'll determine if you meet the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider how your symptoms interfere with your daily activities and also seek input from those who know you.

Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they will be able to determine quickly if you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. If they're not sure, they'll do a full psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health problems. This will include looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD, as well as those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.

However, if you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS There are private companies that can provide assessments via a video call. assessment for adhd are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend you to check the waiting times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can inquire with your GP about this, or you can call them directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatments following an assessment, so should this be a priority for 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 determine what the arrangements are for your region.

Diagnosis

If you suspect you have ADHD, you may request your GP to refer you to an assessment. However, it's important to know that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves. They can only provide information about your symptoms and request for a referral to an expert in mental health.

You can expect to be assessed by psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. They might also ask you to complete questionnaires and 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 look at your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were an infant. They will also look at the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD.

One of the main challenges for those suffering from ADHD is getting a diagnosis. This is due to the stigma associated with the condition and the lack of understanding by health professionals. People from certain groups can be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as people of color, women born, or non-native English speaking people.

It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis since there is no single test that can prove the presence of ADHD. If ADHD is the root cause there are many who are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This can cause significant problems with professional and personal relationships as well as everyday 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 opt to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. It is recommended to contact the provider directly to inquire about their waiting times.

Treatment

A number of treatment options are available for people with ADHD. These include psychosocial aid or both. The best option for each individual will depend on their unique needs and situation. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial support can address any coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.

A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, for example, making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or educational setting. 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 the mental health, which often be a part of or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be accomplished through the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who know you well to provide feedback.

If a specialist believes the person is in the right place for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about the treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment since they improve concentration and decrease impulsiveness. These are available as pills or injections and may have both long-term and short-term effects.

Other medications may be prescribed to control adverse effects, like eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Some people can benefit from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to treat anxiety or depression.

GPs must take any concerns about ADHD seriously, and they are legally bound 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 clear, according to the BBC's investigation through FOI requests. This is a significant amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is the reason many opt for the private assessment option, where they can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.

Support


The first step to getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to visit your GP. They'll take your concerns seriously and ask you about what you think might cause you to have ADHD. They may request you to complete a screening tool to see if you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they will put you on the NHS waiting list.

In England The average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is because there is a high demand for the service and many regions are struggling to keep up with the demand.

If you're worried about how long you'll need to wait, it may be helpful to write a letter to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will help your doctor recognize the importance and urgency of the assessment and ensure that they take action on your request. Here you can download a sample of a letter from ADHD UK.

Once you've been referred for an appointment, you'll be scheduled for an assessment with a specialist psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. During the assessment they will look at your symptoms and investigate any mental health history that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or through a video call.

If your GP suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. However, this will only be feasible if you're able receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you do not have a GP who will agree to refer you, or you'd prefer to avoid the waiting time and wait for a referral, you can self-referral to a private health provider.

You can also seek support 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.