How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a significant variation in the quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessment reports. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Prior to your appointment you will receive questions for screening that you need to answer. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're having difficulty concentrating, restlessness or managing your emotions, it is worth consulting a doctor to determine if ADHD might be the cause. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain works. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions could be causing you problems. These need to be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your therapist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also inquire about how long you've been suffering from these symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you fit the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will consider the ways in which your symptoms affect your daily functioning as well as requesting opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists are experts in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they will be able to determine quickly if you're eligible for diagnosis. If they're not certain they'll take an extensive psychiatric assessment and look at your other health issues. This will include looking at other conditions that may coexist with ADHD and those that can lead to an undiagnosed case of ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
If you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private firms that provide assessments via a video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend to look over the waiting time before you decide on one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. Some providers also provide treatment following an assessment, therefore if this is important to you then make sure that they offer this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's worthwhile to consult your GP to determine what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist if you suspect you may have ADHD. It's important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and request for a referral to a specialist.
You can anticipate to be evaluated by psychiatrists. This specialist will interview you about your lifestyle and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also require you to fill out questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as when you were a child. They will also take into account the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
One of the main challenges for people who have ADHD is getting a diagnosis. This is due to the stigma surrounding the condition, and a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be discriminated against if they seek treatment for their symptoms, like women of color, people of color born or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis since there isn't a single test that can confirm the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This can lead to significant problems in personal and professional relationships, as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services, you can choose to go to a different provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled the list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under 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 those suffering from ADHD. They can include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's particular needs and circumstances. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
Someone with ADHD can also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their environment for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distractions in educational or work settings. This is done under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just assess for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can 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 provide feedback.
If a specialist believes that the patient is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the treatment options. The most popular treatment is stimulants. treatment because they boost concentration and decrease the impulsiveness. These are available as pills or injections and may be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to manage negative side effects, including eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs must take any concerns about possible ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients for an assessment and treatment when required. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to eliminate according to an investigation by the BBC by submitting FOI requests. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for a vital service, which is why many individuals opt for the private assessment route, where they can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be taken seriously, and they'll ask you why you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. You might be asked to take a screening test to determine if you are 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 due to the a high demand for the service and many areas are struggling to keep pace with it.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will have to wait for an appointment you may consider writing a letter to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will help your doctor be aware of the importance and urgency of the examination and make sure they take action upon your request. You can download an example 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 mental health history that could be the cause of your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD impacts your daily routine. uk adhd assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or via video call.
You may be eligible for medication through the NHS if your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However this is only feasible if you're able be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or if you don’t have one.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that do not run the service) or contacting them.