How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
Finding an ADHD assessment from the NHS isn't easy. The wait lists can be long and sometimes people are diagnosed with a other condition that may explain their issues better for example, anxiety or depression.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and help you understand the reasons why you believe you have ADHD. Your GP should then refer you to the NHS for an assessment.
1. Check with getting an adhd assessment uk
In England and Wales there is access to the ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is recommended for you, you may be able to get it. You'll have to see your GP and explain how you suspect that you may have ADHD, and what effect it is having on your life. Your GP should take this seriously, and they will ask you to fill in some questionnaires or a screening tool prior to they recommend you to a specialist for an assessment. Adults should make an inventory of the specific ADHD symptoms and traits they encounter on a daily basis. Prepare to provide examples if you are asked.
Your psychiatrist will work closely with you to determine if you have ADHD. They will use a variety of tools and techniques, such as checklists for symptom identification and scales to assess your behavior. They will also interview you, your family members, and other people who know you well. The psychiatrist will write an assessment based on the information they have received. They will then discuss with you what their recommendations are which could be that you are suffering from an ADHD diagnosis, and if appropriate to begin treatment with medication.
You may find that some GPs are not willing to recommend you for an assessment or not agree to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS In this case, it's best to find another GP who will be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK have some helpful information on this subject on their website here.
In England, it is your legal right to choose the place where you receive an ADHD evaluation, provided that the service you receive is offered by the NHS and the price of the service isn't more than the amount you would pay when you go directly to the NHS. If you are unable achieve progress with your local CCG or GP, you can contact ICAS to help you submit an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales and Northern Ireland, then the NHS has different regulations and guidelines. You can access services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK offers some suggestions on this.
2. Ask for a referral
There are two ways to obtain an ADHD assessment, based on the location you reside in. First, you can use the NHS by asking your GP to refer. This can be a long process, and you may end up waiting years to get an appointment. Alternately, you can opt for the 'Right to Choose route. This is a brand new legal right which means that should you feel that NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, you can request to be sent to a private practitioner via this route.
If you decide to do this you must inform your GP must agree to this, and sign a'shared care agreement' with the healthcare provider you have chosen. However, most doctors are not keen on signing shared care agreements with patients that have been diagnosed privately, particularly since they are not experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of the medication.
In the majority of cases, you will then book an appointment with a private provider that you like. Before you can complete the initial assessment, the ADHD specialist will conduct an interview with you and your child, if they are older than 11 years old. old. The clinician will let you know if they believe that your symptoms are related to ADHD or not.
If it is determined that ADHD may be the reason for your problems, you will usually be sent home with additional questions for your school or workplace. Then they will arrange a follow-up appointment with you to discuss their findings and provide a diagnosis. This appointment is an opportunity to discuss options for treatment. If they determine that medication is necessary, your GP will be informed and asked to prescribe the medication for you. Any other recommendations relating to support at school or work will be discussed with your physician and any costs for this will be discussed prior to beginning. The majority of private providers provide free advice and support between appointments, either via emails or short phone calls.
3. Get an assessment
It isn't always easy to get an ADHD diagnosis in the UK and it is often mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health issues. The most effective method to identify ADHD is to have an assessment conducted by a psychiatrist with experience in the condition.
You may need to wait for an assessment to be conducted by the NHS. If you're worried about the waiting times, ask your GP about 'Right of Choice', a new NHS initiative that gives you the option of choosing the organisation to whom you're referred for your evaluation. This lets you skip the NHS waiting lists and can make the whole process much more efficient.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment the psychiatrist will collect an extensive description of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. The psychiatrist will then conduct a structured clinical assessment with the same set of questions. It can be beneficial to be familiar 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 blank when talking about their own experiences.
The test will consist of physical examinations as well as interviews with teachers, family members and colleagues. It's important that the information gathered is as precise and complete as possible, so the psychiatrist can provide you with the most precise diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist suspects that you or your child have ADHD, they will recommend a thorough diagnosis at a commissioned adult ADHD service. This is a second appointment that may include various tests that include psychological tests as well as brain imaging, to help determine the extent of the disorder.
Some people choose to have a private ADHD assessment. This is becoming more popular as waiting lists through the NHS continue to grow. Depending on where you live in the UK there are many companies that offer private assessments for ADHD. You can find a listing here or speak to your GP to determine which one is the best for you. Private examinations are generally faster than relying on the NHS however, it's important to know that your health insurance will not pay for the costs.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life. For example it can impact your relationships or work. An accurate diagnosis can help in resolving these problems. Unfortunately, due to a rise in people needing ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to keep up with demand and wait times can be lengthy. Some individuals opt to pay for their assessment privately. This allows them bypass NHS waiting lists and start treatment sooner.
Once you've been diagnosed with ADHD, the next step is to get an effective treatment plan. This could be treatment with medication or CBT. This is something to consider before your evaluation. It will help you determine the most effective treatment for you.
Depending on where you live in the UK depending on where you live, you might be able to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. If this is the case you will be taken to a paediatrician, or psychiatrist who will evaluate your symptoms and determine a diagnosis based on the NICE 87 guidelines.
If you don't receive an appointment from your GP You can refer yourself to an ADHD assessment through a private mental health service. This route is often quicker than the NHS method, but it is important to check that your GP will accept a 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private clinician.
Your expert will ask you questions about your past and current behavior. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also ask you about how these characteristics are affecting your life right now. Before going to an appointment, it is beneficial to be familiar with the criteria used to determine ADHD and to write examples of how these traits have affected your life.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD it could be a life-changing event. It can open up many treatment options and provide an increased sense of self-confidence for adults who were previously not diagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and a happier life.