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 lengthy, and people may be diagnosed with other conditions that can better explain their issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and consider the reasons you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They will then refer you to an NHS assessment.
1. Check with your GP
In England and Wales you can get an ADHD assessment through the NHS and it might be possible to access medication if it's appropriate for you. You'll need to go to your GP and explain how you suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD and what impact it has on your life. Your GP must take this seriously, and they will require you to fill out several questionnaires or a screening tool prior to they refer you to a specialist for an assessment. For adults, it is particularly important to prepare a list of the specific ADHD characteristics and symptoms you experience in your daily life, and be prepared to provide examples when you are asked.
Your psychiatrist will collaborate with you to determine whether or not you have ADHD, and they will use a range of techniques and methods, including symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, and interviewing you as well as your family members and other people who know you well. The psychiatrist will then write a report based on the information they've gathered. They will then discuss their recommendation with you, which could be that you have been diagnosed with ADHD and, if it is appropriate, you should begin treatment with medication.
There are a few doctors are not willing to recommend you to an assessment or not agree to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS, in which case it is worth finding an alternative GP who may be more accommodating. The website of Psychiatry UK offers some helpful tips on this subject.
In England you have the legal right to decide the location where your GP refers you to get an ADHD assessment, so long it is provided through the NHS and does not cost more than the NHS directly. If you're unable to agree with your local CCG you can approach ICAS for help when submitting an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, then the NHS has different regulations and guidelines. You might be able try accessing services through Right to Choose, and Psychiatry-UK also have some tips about this here.
2. Ask for a referral
There are two ways to get an ADHD evaluation, depending on the area you live in. The first is to go through the NHS and ask your GP to recommend you. This could be a lengthy process, and you'll have to wait years before getting a diagnosis. You may also opt for the 'Right to Choose" pathway. This is a legal right which permits you to request an appointment with a private provider if you think the NHS wait time for an ADHD assessment is too long.
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. 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 expertise in diagnosing ADHD or prescribing the medication it requires.
In the majority of cases, you will then make an appointment with a private service that you like. Before 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 give you a clear indication of whether they believe that your symptoms are caused by ADHD or not.
After the initial assessment If it is believed that ADHD may be causing your problems then they will typically send you home with some additional questionnaires to fill out for your school or workplace. They will then schedule an 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 needed and you are unable to get it, your GP will be informed and requested to prescribe the medication to you. Your specialist will discuss any other suggestions regarding assistance at school or at work. Any costs are agreed upon prior to beginning. The majority of private providers provide free advice and support in between appointments via emails or phone calls of a short duration.
3. Go for an assessment
Finding an ADHD diagnosis in the UK isn't easy and often it's mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health issues. The best method of diagnosing ADHD is to have an assessment performed by a psychiatrist with expertise in the field.
website link may need to wait for an assessment to be completed by the NHS. If you're worried about waiting for a long time, ask your GP about 'Right to Choose', a new NHS initiative that gives you the option of choosing the organisation to which you are referred for your evaluation. This allows you to skip the NHS waiting list, and makes the process much faster.
The psychiatrist will ask you to explain your symptoms, and how they impact your daily routine. They will then carry out an assessment of your clinical condition using standardised questionnaires. It is helpful to familiarise yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment. You should note down your experiences, as it's normal for people's minds to go blank when talking about their own experiences.
The test will consist of a physical exam and interviews with family members, teachers, members, and colleagues. The psychiatrist will require accurate and complete data to make the best diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist is of the opinion that you or your children have ADHD then he'll recommend a treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. This is an additional appointment which could include a range of tests, such as brain images and psychological tests to determine the severity of ADHD.
Some people choose to go private for their ADHD evaluation - this is becoming more popular as waiting lists for the NHS continue to grow. There are different organisations in the UK that offer private assessments of ADHD based on the area you reside. You can find a list here or talk to your GP to determine which one is the best one for you. Private exams can be more efficient than the NHS. However, your health insurance won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause issues in many areas of life. For example it can impact your relationships or work. An accurate diagnosis could aid in resolving these problems. Unfortunately, because of a increasing number of people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to cope and waiting times can be long. Some individuals opt to go through a private clinic and pay for their assessments privately. This allows them bypass NHS waiting lists and start treatment sooner.
Once you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to put an appropriate treatment plan in place. This could be treatment with medication or CBT. It is something you must think about prior to your assessment. 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 access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If CAMHS ADHD assessment UK is the case, you should be taken to an expert psychiatrist or paediatrician. They will evaluate your symptoms and issue a diagnosis based on the NICE 87 guidelines.
Self-referral is an option if you don't have a GP referral. A private mental health practitioner will conduct an ADHD assessment. This process is typically faster than the NHS pathway, but it is essential to ensure whether your doctor will sign a 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private doctor.
Your specialist will ask questions about your past and current behaviors. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these traits affect your daily life. Before going to an appointment, it is beneficial to be familiar with the criteria used to determine ADHD and write down examples of how these traits have affected your life.
A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It can open the door to a myriad of treatment options and can provide an understanding of oneself and awareness that a few previously undiagnosed adults discover particularly beneficial. It can also lead to better relationships and a happier life.