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 not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to complete, which your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment is smooth and without the need for extended appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're experiencing restlessness and trouble concentrating or are finding it difficult to manage your emotions, then it might be worth consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way the brain works. It is essential to remember that other conditions could be causing you problems. These need to be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, your therapist will start by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you've been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your life. They will then determine if you fit the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily activities, as well as seeking input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able to determine within a few minutes if you fit the criteria. If they're not sure, they will carry out a full psychiatric history and look at your other health issues. This will include a look at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD and also the conditions that can cause a misdiagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
If you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private firms that provide assessments via video call. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times of each provider before choosing one. You can either consult your GP or call the service directly to find out the time they are waiting for an assessment. If this is essential to your needs, make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have agreements to provide this service with local NHS Trusts, so make sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
Request your GP for a referral in the event that you think you be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
You can be assessed by psychiatrist. The doctor will ask questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The assessment process is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your present symptoms and how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also take into account comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. They will apply these criteria to determine if or not you have ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD is a difficult task for a lot of people. how to get assessed for adhd could be due to the stigma surrounding the condition, as well as the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as women of color, those born at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
There is no test to verify ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different disorder, like anxiety or depression, when the root cause is ADHD. This can lead to significant issues with personal and professional relationships as well as daily functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD assessments for adults with ADHD. This means that if you're unhappy with the wait time at your local NHS service you can decide to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about timeframes for waiting, contact the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available for those suffering from ADHD. These include psychosocial support or both. The best option will depend on the individual's particular needs and circumstances. The use of medication can ease symptoms and improve performance, while psychosocial therapy can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from a few adjustments to their surroundings, like making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in the workplace or educational setting. This can be done under the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
The doctor will not just look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which may often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and by asking people who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a specialist believes a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will talk about treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease impulsiveness. They are available as tablets or injections and can have both short and long-term effects.
Other medications are prescribed for adverse effects such as insomnia and loss of appetite that are sometimes associated ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can assist to manage underlying depression or anxiety.
GPs need to take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if required. However the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to eliminate according to the BBC's investigation, through FOI requests. This is a long time to wait for an essential service. Many people prefer to take the private assessment route since they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously and they'll ask you why you think you have ADHD. They might also ask you to fill out an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. Once your GP has agreed to refer you to them, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason many areas are having difficulty keeping up.
If you're concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it could be helpful to write an email to your GP informing them of the reason you require an assessment. This will help your GP recognize the importance and urgency of the test and ensure that they will act upon your request. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred, a psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look into any medical history that might be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and can be conducted in person or through a video call.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. However, this will only be possible if you are able to receive an assessment via the Right to Choose pathway. If you don't have an GP who is willing to refer you to them, or you want to avoid the wait time, you can self-refer to a private healthcare provider.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can find the list of NHS mental health trusts offering ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of the individual Trusts (except those that do not provide an assessment service) or by contacting their press offices.