ADHD Assessment UK Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive pre-screening questionnaires to fill out that your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with restlessness and trouble concentrating or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then it might be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD might be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way the brain functions. It is important to keep in mind that there are other conditions that could be causing your difficulties and should be considered before you can be diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your specialist will begin by asking about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also ask how long you've been suffering from these symptoms, and how they impact your life. They will then determine if you fit the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also seek opinions from people who know you and consider the impact of your symptoms on your daily life.
Psychologists have a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD. They will likely be able tell you fairly quickly if you meet the criteria. If they are not sure they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. This will include looking at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD and also the conditions that can cause the wrong diagnosis of ADHD such as depression and anxiety.
If you're having difficulty getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS private providers can provide assessments through video calls. You can find details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest to look over the waiting times before you decide on one. You can consult your GP or call the provider directly to determine the length of time they are waiting for an assessment. If this is crucial to your needs, make sure they provide this service. Some providers have agreements to offer this service with local NHS Trusts, so be sure to check with your GP regarding the arrangements for your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, you may inquire with your GP to refer you for an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs can't diagnose ADHD - they only relay symptoms and ask a referral to a specialist.
You can be assessed by psychiatrists. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The process of assessment is based on the guidelines set 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 an infant. They will also take into consideration 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 with ADHD is getting an diagnosis. This is due to the stigma surrounding the condition, and an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. In addition, people who belong to certain groups, for instance people of color, assigned a female at birth or non-native English people, could face discrimination when seeking help for their symptoms.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis because there isn't a single test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different disorder, like anxiety or depression, when the underlying problem is ADHD. This can result in significant issues with professional and personal relationships, as well as with day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied 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. To find out about timeframes for waiting, contact the providers.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. These include psychosocial assistance, or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's unique requirements and situation. Medicines can ease symptoms and improve functioning, whereas psychosocial support can address any coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression.
visit link with ADHD can benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in school or workplace settings. This can be done with the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only examine for ADHD but also look for comorbidities of mental health which may often be a part of or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by examining the symptom checklists and seeking feedback from individuals who are familiar with the person like family members and friends.
If the specialist believes that a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over the treatment options. The most popular treatments are stimulants, which improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They can be found in the form of tablets or injections, and they can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed for side effects like eating disorders and sleep disturbances that are sometimes associated ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help manage underlying anxiety or depressive symptoms.
GPs should take any concerns about ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if needed. However the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments which could take as long as eight years to get rid of, according to the BBC's investigation by submitting FOI requests. This is an extended time to wait for an essential service. Many people choose to take the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment on NHS. Your concerns should be considered seriously and they'll ask you why you believe you may have ADHD. You might be asked to complete screening tests to determine if you are eligible to be seen. If your GP agrees 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 an enormous demand for this service, and many areas are struggling to keep pace with it.
If you are concerned about the amount of time you be waiting to be assessed, you might want to write a note to your GP detailing what you require. 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 an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. During the examination, they'll review your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other conditions that might cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The test can be between 45 and 90 minutes, and can be done in person or via video calls.
If your GP recommends an NHS ADHD assessment, you might be eligible to receive medication through the NHS. This is only possible when your doctor can refer you for an assessment using the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you do not want to wait for a GP to refer you or even if you don't have a GP.
Alternatively, you can seek help from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by looking up their websites (except for those that don't offer the service) or contacting them.