How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
Finding an ADHD assessment from the NHS isn't easy. The waiting lists can be long and some people are diagnosed with other conditions that better explain their difficulties like anxiety or depression.
Your GP should listen to your concerns and be able to understand the reasons you think you have ADHD. The doctor should then refer you to the NHS for an assessment.
1. Consult your GP
In England and Wales in England and Wales, you can get the ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is suggested for you, you may be able to obtain it. You will need to see your GP and explain why you think you might have ADHD and what impact it is having on your life. Your GP must take this seriously and may require you to fill out some questionnaires or a screening instrument before they refer you to a specialist to have an assessment. For adults, it's particularly important to prepare a list of specific ADHD traits and symptoms that you encounter in your daily life, and be ready to give examples when asked.
Your psychiatrist will collaborate with you to determine whether or not you have ADHD and will employ a variety of tools and approaches including symptom checklists, behavior rating scales, as well as interviewing you as well as your family members and others who know you well. They will consider the information they receive and then write an account. Then, they will discuss their recommendations with you which could be that you are diagnosed with ADHD and, if it is appropriate you should be treated with medication.
You might find that some doctors are not willing to refer you for an assessment or will not agree to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS In this case, it is worth finding an alternative GP who may be more accommodating. The website of Psychiatry UK offers some helpful information on this topic.
In England you have the legal right to decide which GP recommends you to receive an ADHD assessment, as long as the service is available through the NHS and does not cost more than the NHS directly. If you're unable to agree with your local CCG you can contact ICAS for assistance in submitting an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside located in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, then the NHS has different regulations and guidelines. You can get access to services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK provides some advice on this.
2. Request a reference
There are two ways to obtain an ADHD evaluation, depending on where you live. You can first take advantage of the NHS by asking your GP to refer you. This can be a long procedure, and in some cases you may end up waiting several years to receive a diagnosis. Alternatively, you can use the 'Right of Choice option. This is a new legal right that means that should you feel that NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, then you can request to be sent to a private practitioner via this route.
If you decide to do this, then your GP must agree to this, and sign a'shared care agreement' with the healthcare provider you've selected. The majority of GPs are not willing to sign shared care agreements for patients who have been diagnosed privately particularly because they lack the expertise to diagnose ADHD or prescribing medication for it.
In most cases you can then book an appointment with a private practitioner that you like. Prior to completing the initial assessment the ADHD specialist will interview you and your child if they are older than 11 years old. of age. The specialist will let you know if they believe that your symptoms are caused by ADHD or not.
After the initial evaluation If it is believed that ADHD could be the cause of your issues, they will usually send you away with some additional questionnaires to fill out for your school or workplace. Then they will arrange an appointment with you to discuss their findings and discuss the diagnosis. The appointment will be a chance to discuss any medication options and if it is decided that medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and will be asked to prescribe it for you. Any other recommendations related to support at school or work will be discussed with your physician and any fees for this will be discussed prior to starting. Many private providers provide advice and assistance for free between appointments, either by emails or short phone calls.
3. Go for an evaluation
Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK is not easy and often it's mistakenly interpreted as other mental health issues. The best way to diagnose ADHD is to have an assessment done by a psychiatrist with expertise in the field.
You might have to wait for an assessment to be done by the NHS. If you're worried about waiting times, talk to your GP about 'Right of Choice', a brand new NHS initiative that grants you the ability to choose the organization to which you are referred for your examination. This lets you skip the NHS waiting lists and will make the entire process more efficient.
The psychiatrist will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They will then conduct a structured clinical assessment using standardised questionnaires. It is helpful to familiarise yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment. You should write down examples, as it's common for people's minds to be completely blank when discussing their own experience.
The test will consist of physical examinations as well as interviews with family members, teachers, members and colleagues. It's important that the information collected is as accurate and complete as possible, so the psychiatrist can give you the most precise diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist suspects that you or your children are suffering from ADHD, he will recommend a treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. This is an additional appointment which could include a variety of tests, such as psychological tests and brain images to determine the severity of ADHD.
Some people opt to go to a private clinic to have their ADHD evaluated. This is becoming more common as the NHS waiting lists continue to increase. There are a variety of organizations in the UK that offer private assessments for ADHD based on where you live. You can search for a list here or speak to your GP to determine which option is the best one for you. Private exams can be more efficient than using the NHS. However, your health insurance won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause significant problems in different areas of life, for example relationships or work, so an accurate diagnosis can help with these issues. Due to the rise in people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to deal with. Waiting times can be long. Some individuals opt to go through a private clinic and pay for their test privately. assessment adhd lets them skip NHS waiting lists and begin treatment earlier.
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to develop a treatment plan. This could involve medication or CBT therapy. It is important to consider this prior to when you make your assessment because it will help you determine what the best option for you will be.
You may be eligible for an ADHD assessment through the NHS depending on where you reside in the UK. If this is the situation, you will be referred to a paediatrician or psychiatrist who will examine your symptoms, and determine a diagnosis on the basis of the NICE 87 guidelines.
If you don't receive a referral from your GP You can refer yourself to an ADHD assessment through a private mental health service. This process is typically faster than the NHS pathway, but it is crucial to confirm that your GP is willing to sign the 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private doctor.
If you are tested for ADHD, your expert will ask you questions about your current and past behavior. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these characteristics affect your life now. Before going to an appointment, it's helpful to familiarise yourselves with the criteria used to determine ADHD and write down examples of how these traits have affected your life.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD, it can be a life-changing event. It can open up a variety of treatment options and create an increased sense of self-confidence for adults who had previously been undiagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and a more fulfilled life.