How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
Getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS isn't always easy. The waiting lists can be lengthy and there are times when patients are diagnosed with a other condition that may explain their issues better, such as anxiety or depression.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and ask why you think you may have ADHD. They should then refer you for an NHS assessment.
1. See your GP
In England and Wales, you can access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is suggested for you, you might be able to get it. You'll need to tell your GP why you believe you might have ADHD and the impact it has on your life. Your GP will take this very seriously and ask you to complete the questionnaire or screen tool before referring you an expert for an assessment. For adults, it will be especially important to create a list of the specific ADHD traits and symptoms you experience in your daily life, and be ready to give examples when asked.
Your psychiatrist will work closely with you to determine if you have ADHD. They will use different tools and methods, including symptom checklists and scales to assess your behavior. They will also conduct interviews with you, your family members, and others who know you well. They will take the information they gather and then write an assessment report. Then, they will discuss their recommendations with you, which could be that you are diagnosed with ADHD and, if it is appropriate you should start treatment with medication.
There are a few doctors aren't willing to refer you for an assessment or will not prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS In this instance, it is best to find an alternative GP who may be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK have some helpful advice about this on their website here.
In England, you are entitled under the law to choose the location where your GP recommends you to receive an ADHD assessment, as long that the service is offered through the NHS and it doesn't cost more than going through the NHS directly. If you're not able to reach an agreement with your local CCG you can contact ICAS for help when making an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you are in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales or Northern Ireland, the NHS has different regulations and guidelines. You can attempt to access services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK also has some tips on this.
2. Ask for a reference
There are two ways to get an ADHD evaluation, depending on where you live. The one is to use the NHS and request your GP to refer you. This could be a long process and you may need to wait for years to receive a diagnosis. You can also use the 'Right to Choose" route. 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 request to be referred to a private provider through this route.
If you choose to do this you must inform your GP must accept this, and must also sign a'shared care agreement' with the service provider you have chosen. However, a majority of doctors do not like signing shared care agreements for patients that have been diagnosed privately, especially since they are not experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of its medication.
In most instances, you will be able to schedule an appointment with the private service of your choice. Prior to completing the initial assessment the ADHD specialist will conduct an interview with you and your child if they are older than 11 years of age. The doctor will then provide you with an exact indication of whether they believe that your symptoms may be due to ADHD, or not.
After the initial evaluation If it is determined that ADHD could be the cause of your issues, they'll usually send you away with an additional questionnaire to complete for your workplace or school. They will then set up an appointment for a follow-up to discuss the findings and discuss your diagnosis. The appointment will be a chance to discuss any possible medication options and if it is found that the medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and will be asked to prescribe it. Any other recommendations relating to support at work or school will be discussed with your physician and any fees are discussed prior to beginning. adhd assessment uk of private providers provide free advice and support in between appointments via emails or phone calls of a short duration.
3. Get an assessment
Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can be difficult and often it's misdiagnosed as other mental health conditions. The best method to obtain a diagnosis of ADHD is through an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist who specializes in the condition.
There may be a need to wait for an assessment to be completed by the NHS. Consult your GP if you're worried about the time it takes to wait. Right to Choose is a new NHS initiative that allows you the choice of the company to which you are referred. This allows you to bypass the NHS waiting list and can make the process much faster.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment The psychiatrist will take an extensive history of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will then carry out an assessment of your clinical condition using standardised questionnaires. It can be beneficial to familiarise yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment and note down your experiences, as it's normal for people's minds to become blank when talking about their own experience.
The assessment will also include physical examinations and interviews with relatives, teachers and colleagues. It's important to ensure that the data gathered is as precise and complete as possible, so the psychiatrist can provide you with the most accurate diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist believes that you or your children have ADHD and he is concerned, he will recommend you to a program for adults suffering from ADHD. This will be an additional appointment which could include a range of tests like brain scans and psychological tests to determine the severity of ADHD.
Some people choose to go to a private clinic to have their ADHD evaluated. This is becoming more popular as the NHS waiting lists continue to grow. There are different organisations in the UK which offer private assessments of ADHD, depending on where you live. You can find a list here, or talk to your GP about which option would be best for you. Private examinations can be faster than using the NHS. However, your health insurance won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause serious problems in different areas of life, for example relationships or work, so an accurate diagnosis can ease these problems. Due to the increasing number of people who require ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to manage. The wait times can be long. Some people opt to pay for their assessments privately. This lets them skip NHS waiting lists and begin treatment earlier.
Once you have been diagnosed with ADHD, the next step is to put an appropriate treatment plan in place. This could include medication or CBT therapy. It is important to think about this before you get your assessment, as it will help determine what the most effective course of action for you will be.
Depending on where you live in the UK depending on where you live, you might be able access an ADHD assessment through the NHS. If this is the case, you need to be taken to an expert psychiatrist or paediatrician. They will assess your symptoms and provide a diagnosis based on the NICE 87 guidelines.
You can self-refer even if you don't have GP referral. A private mental health practitioner will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is often faster than the NHS route, but you should check whether your GP has an "Shared Care Agreement" with your private physician.
If you are tested for ADHD the doctor will ask 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 the way these traits impact your life today. Before going to an appointment, it's important to know the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and write down examples of how these characteristics have affected your life.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD it could be a life-changing event. It can result in various treatment options and create an improved sense of self-confidence for those who were previously undiagnosed. It can also lead better relationships and lead to a happier life.