How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It can be difficult to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS. The waiting lists can be long and patients may be diagnosed with other conditions which can explain their problems, such as depression or anxiety.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and listen to why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They should then refer you for an NHS assessment.
1. Check with your GP
In England and Wales there is access to an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is recommended for you, you could be able to access it. You'll have to see your GP and explain how you suspect that you may have ADHD, and what effect it has on your life. Your GP must take this seriously and may require you to fill out several questionnaires or a screening tool before they refer you to a specialist to have an assessment. For adults, it is particularly important to make an outline of the specific ADHD traits and symptoms that you experience in your day-to-day life, and be ready to provide examples when asked.
Your psychiatrist will work with you to assess whether or not you suffer from ADHD and will employ a variety of tools and approaches such as symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, and interviews with you, your family members and others who know you well. They will consider the information they get and create an assessment report. They will then discuss their recommendations with you which could mean that you have been diagnosed with ADHD and, if appropriate you should start treatment with a medication.
You may find that some GPs are not willing to recommend you for an assessment or will not be able to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS In this instance, it is best to find a different GP who can be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK has some great tips on this issue on their website here.
In England you have the legal right to choose where you receive an ADHD assessment, as long as the services you receive are provided by the NHS and the price of the service does not exceed what you would pay for it if you were to go directly to the NHS. If you are unable to make progress with your local CCG You can request ICAS to help you submit an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales The NHS has different guidelines and regulations. You can try to access services via Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK also has some tips on this.
2. Request adhd assessments
There are two ways to get an ADHD assessment, based on the location you reside in. You can first go through the NHS by asking your GP to refer you. This could be a lengthy process, and you could wait for years to get a diagnosis. You may also opt for the "Right to Choose" pathway. This is a new legal right that means that when you feel that the NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, then you can ask to be sent to a private practitioner via this route.
If you opt to go this route the GP must agree and sign an "shared care agreement" with the provider you've chosen. The majority of GPs are not willing to sign shared care agreements for patients who have been diagnosed privately due to the fact that they do not have the experience in diagnosing ADHD or prescribing its medication.
In the majority of cases, you will then be able to make an appointment with the private service you prefer. Prior to completing the initial assessment, the ADHD specialist will interview you and your child if they are older than 11 years old. The specialist will let you know whether they believe your symptoms are related to ADHD or not.
After the initial assessment If it is believed that ADHD could be the cause of your issues, they'll typically send you home with some additional questionnaires to fill out for your workplace or school. Then they will arrange a follow-up appointment with you to discuss their findings and discuss the diagnosis. This appointment is a chance to discuss medication options. If it is determined that medication is required then your GP will then be informed and be asked to prescribe the medication for you. Any other recommendations regarding support at work or school will be discussed with your physician and any costs are discussed before starting. Most private providers will also provide advice and assistance for free between appointments, either via emails or short phone calls.
3. Take advantage of an evaluation
Finding an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can be difficult and often, it's mistakenly interpreted as other mental health disorders. The most effective method to identify ADHD is by having an assessment conducted by a psychiatrist with experience in the condition.
It could take for a while before you can receive an assessment through the NHS. Consult your GP to discuss the time it takes to wait. Right to Choose is a new NHS initiative which gives you the option of choosing the organization to which you're recommended. This allows you bypass the NHS waiting lists and will make the entire process quicker.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, the psychiatrist will take an in-depth history of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The psychiatrist will then conduct a systematic clinical assessment with the same set of questions. It can be helpful to familiarise yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment. write down examples, as it's normal for people's minds to go blank when talking about their own experiences.
The test will consist of physical examinations and interviews with teachers, family members, and colleagues. adhd assessment is crucial to ensure that the data gathered is as accurate and complete as it can be, so that the psychiatrist will be able to provide the most accurate diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist believes that you or your children have ADHD then he'll recommend a treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. This will be an additional appointment which could include a variety of tests, such as brain images and psychological tests, to determine the extent of ADHD.
Some people decide to have a private ADHD assessment - this is becoming more popular as the waiting lists in the NHS continue to increase. Based on where you live in the UK there are numerous organizations that provide private assessments for ADHD. You can find a listing here or talk to your GP to determine which option is best for you. Private assessments can be quicker than using the NHS. However, your health insurance won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause major issues in different areas of life such as work or relationships, so an accurate diagnosis can aid in addressing these issues. Unfortunately, due to the rise in people needing ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to cope and waiting times can be lengthy. Some individuals opt to pay for their test privately. This allows them to avoid NHS waiting lists to start treatment sooner.
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, the next step is to get an appropriate treatment plan in place. This could include medication, or CBT therapy. assessed for adhd is crucial to think about this before you have your assessment, because it will help you determine what the best option for you is.
Depending on where you live in the UK You may be able to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. If this is the case, you need to be directed to a specialist psychiatrist or paediatrician who will examine your symptoms and make an assessment based on NICE 87 guidelines.
Self-referral is an option in the event that you don't have a GP referral. A private mental health provider will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is usually more efficient than the NHS route, but you must ensure whether your GP has a "Shared Care Agreement" with your private clinician.
When you're tested for ADHD, your expert will ask you questions about your current and past behaviours. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these traits are affecting your life now. Before attending an appointment, it is helpful to familiarise yourselves with the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and to write examples of how these characteristics have affected your life.
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It can open the door to many treatment options, and may provide a sense of self-understanding and awareness that some previously undiagnosed adults find particularly beneficial. It can also lead to improved relationships and a happier life.