12 Companies That Are Leading The Way In ADHD Assessment UK
How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to fill out that your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Symptoms
If you have difficulty staying focused, calming down or managing your emotions, it's worth consulting a doctor about whether ADHD could be the problem. Around 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. It is essential to be aware that other conditions could cause problems. These conditions must be taken into consideration before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They'll also ask how long you've been suffering from these symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. Then, they will determine if you are in compliance with the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will consider how your symptoms impact your daily life, as well as seeking opinions from those who are familiar with you.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD, so it's likely they'll be able tell fairly quickly whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. If they are not sure they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as look at your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions which can coexist with ADHD as well as those that could lead to an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
If you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private providers who can provide assessments via video call. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page, and we recommend to look over the waiting times prior to you choose one. You can ask your GP about this, or call them directly to inquire what their current wait time is for an assessment. If this is essential to your needs, make sure they offer this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this, so it is worth checking with your GP to find out what arrangements are available for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you might have ADHD and you suspect it, you could request your GP to refer you to an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs aren't able to diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and suggest a referral to an expert.
psychiatrist adhd assessment can expect to be assessed by a psychiatrist. The doctor will ask questions about your life, medical history and how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will examine your current symptoms and how they affected you when you were in your early years. They will also take into consideration other comorbidities like depression and anxiety. They will use these criteria to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD.
One of the biggest hurdles for those suffering from ADHD is getting an diagnosis. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, as well as 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 people.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis since there isn't a single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the primary cause, many people are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This can result in significant issues with professional and personal relationships and also with daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are unhappy with the wait times for your local NHS services You can choose to go to another service through the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. Contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
Many treatment options are available for people with ADHD. These include medication, psychosocial support, or both. The best option will depend on the individual's particular requirements and circumstances. While medication can ease symptoms and improve functioning, psychosocial assistance can address coexisting conditions like anxiety or depression.
A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions in workplace or in educational settings. This is done under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just examine for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of the mental health, which may often accompany or mimic ADHD among adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists, and also by asking those who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a doctor believes that an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over possible treatment options. Stimulants are the most common treatment since they improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They can be found in tablets or injections, and they can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat side effects, such as issues with sleep and loss of appetite, which are sometimes related to ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients who have concerns about ADHD to an assessment and treatment. However the NHS has a backlog of ADHD assessments that could take up to eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation through FOI requests. This is a substantial amount of time to wait for an essential service, which is why many people choose the private assessment route which allows them to be self-referred and get more direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to receive an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously and they should inquire why you believe you may have ADHD. They might 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, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average time to receive an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. The high demand for this service is the reason some areas are struggling with keeping up.
If you are worried about the amount of time you be waiting for an appointment you may be able to write a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help your GP recognize the importance and urgency of the test and make sure they take action on your request. Here is an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred, a psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. In the course of the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look into any mental health history that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. They will also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment could last between 45 and 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video conference.
If adhd diagnosis assessment suggests you to undergo an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. This will only be possible when your doctor can recommend you for an assessment using the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't want to wait for an GP to refer you, or even if you don't have a GP.
Alternatively, you can seek out support from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or contacting them.