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 unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Prior to your appointment, you will be sent pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then go over them. This will ensure that your consultation is smooth and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you are struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then it might be worth seeing a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the reason. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way that the brain functions. It's important to keep in mind that other conditions could be causing problems for you. These should be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
When you attend an ADHD assessment, your specialist will start by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also want to know how long you've been suffering from these symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. Then, they will determine if you fit the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also solicit input from people who know you and consider how your symptoms affect your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they'll be able to tell fairly quickly whether you are eligible for a diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll conduct a comprehensive psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health problems. This includes looking at other conditions that could coexist with ADHD, as well as those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD, such as depression or anxiety.
However, if you are trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private providers who can 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 one prior to deciding on one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact directly to find out what their current wait is for an assessment. If this is important to your needs, make sure they offer this service. Some providers have agreements with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is important to check with your GP to see what arrangements are available in your area.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP for a referral if you suspect you may have ADHD. However, it's important to know that GPs cannot diagnose ADHD themselves. They can only relay your symptoms and ask for a referral to an expert in mental health.
If you are scheduled for an assessment, you are likely to consult with a psychiatrist consultant. 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 ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessing is based on the guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you as in your early years. They will also take into account comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD can be a challenge for many. This can be because of the stigma surrounding the condition and an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, individuals belonging to certain groups, such as people of color, a woman at birth, or are not native English people, could be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. When ADHD is the root cause many people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This can result in significant issues in personal and professional relationships, as well as with everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose service for adult ADHD evaluations. If you are unhappy with the wait times for your local NHS services you can opt to go to a different provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together the list of providers who offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. To find out about wait times, contact the service providers.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. They include medication, psychosocial assistance or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's specific requirements and situation. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial therapy can address any co-existing issues like anxiety or depression.
A person with ADHD might also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, for example, making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or educational settings. This can be done with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD and other disorders, the specialist will also determine if there are any comorbid mental health issues that often occur in conjunction with or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done through the use of symptom checklists and by asking people who know you well to give feedback.
If the specialist believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will discuss possible treatment options. The most commonly used treatments are stimulants, which increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. They can be found in tablets or injections, and can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep disturbances that can be a result of ADHD. Some people can also benefit from psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can aid to manage depression or anxiety.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns regarding ADHD to an assessment and treatment. According to camhs adhd assessment of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a significant amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many individuals opt for the private assessment option and can be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. Your concerns should be considered seriously, and they'll ask you why you think you have ADHD. They may request you to complete a screening tool to see if you're eligible for an appointment. After your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to the a high demand for this service, and many regions are struggling to keep up with the demand.
If you're concerned about how long you'll have to wait, it could be beneficial to write a letter to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. 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 a sample letter from ADHD UK here.
Once you've been referred, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and look into any medical history that might be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your day-to-day life. The test will typically last 45-90 minutes, and can be conducted in person or by video calls.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment You may be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. 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 around for a GP to refer you, or even if you don't have a GP.
Alternately, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. camhs adhd assessment can find a list of NHS mental health trusts that provide ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of individual Trusts (except those that do not run services) or by contacting their press offices.