How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It can be a challenge to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. The wait lists can be long and sometimes patients are diagnosed with a other illness that might explain their issues better like depression or anxiety.
Your GP should listen to your concerns and be able to understand the reasons why you believe you have ADHD. The doctor should then refer you to the NHS for an assessment.
1. See adhd assessment psychiatry uk
In England and Wales, you can access an ADHD assessment through the NHS. If medication is suggested for you, you might be able to get it. You will need to go to your GP and explain how you suspect you have ADHD and the impact it is having on your life. Your GP will take this seriously and ask you to complete an assessment questionnaire or screening tool before referring you to an expert for an assessment. Adults should create a list that includes specific ADHD signs and symptoms they encounter on a regular basis. Be prepared to give 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 including symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, and interviews with you along with your family members, friends and other people who know you well. The psychiatrist will create an account that is based on the information they have received. They will then discuss with you what their recommendation is and it could be that you have an ADHD diagnosis, and if appropriate, that you start treatment with medication.
You may find that some doctors 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 worth finding a different GP who can be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK offers some useful information on this subject on their website here.
In England, you have the legal right to decide which GP refers you to get an ADHD assessment, as long it is provided through the NHS and it doesn't cost more than if you go through the NHS directly. If you are unable to get an improvement from your local CCG You can request ICAS to assist you in making an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales and Northern Ireland, then the NHS has different rules and guidelines. You can get access to services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK provides some advice regarding this.
2. Ask for a referral
Depending on where you reside in the UK there are two distinct routes you can take to receive an ADHD assessment. The first is to use the NHS by asking your GP to refer you. It can be a lengthy process, and you could wait for years before getting an appointment. You can also take advantage of the 'Right to Choose" option. This is a new legal right that means that if you feel that the NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, then you can ask to be referred to a private provider by this method.
If you opt to do this then your GP will have to agree and sign an "shared care agreement" with the provider you've selected. However, the majority of doctors do not like signing shared care agreements with patients who have been diagnosed privately, particularly because they're not experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of its medication.
In the majority of cases, you'll be able to make an appointment with the private service you prefer. Before completing the initial assessment the ADHD specialist will conduct an interview with you and your child if they are older than 11 years old. of age. The doctor will inform you whether they believe your symptoms are related to ADHD or not.
If it is found that ADHD could be the root reason for your problems In most cases, you will be sent home with additional questions for your school or work place. They will then arrange an appointment with you to discuss the findings and explain the diagnosis. This appointment is an opportunity to discuss options for treatment. If they determine that medication is required, your GP will then be informed and asked to prescribe the medication to you. Any other recommendations regarding support at school or work will be discussed with your doctor and any costs are discussed before starting. Most private providers will also provide free advice and support between appointments, either via emails or phone calls.
3. Go for an assessment
The process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis in the UK isn't easy and often, it's misdiagnosed as other mental health issues. The most effective method to identify ADHD is by having an assessment performed by a psychiatrist who has had experience with the condition.
You may have to wait for a long time to receive an assessment from the NHS. If you're worried about the waiting times, ask your GP about 'Right of Choice', a brand new NHS initiative that gives you the right to choose the organization to whom you're referred for your examination. This allows you bypass the NHS waiting lists and can make the entire process more efficient.
When you go for your ADHD assessment, the psychiatrist will take a detailed account 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 learn about the traits (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment and write down examples, as it is common for people's minds to become completely blank when discussing their own experience.
The examination will also include a physical examination and interviews with parents as well as teachers and colleagues. It is crucial that the information gathered is as precise and complete as it can be, so that the psychiatrist can provide you with the most precise diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist suspects that you or your children suffer from ADHD then he'll recommend a treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. This is an additional appointment which could include a variety tests including brain scans and psychological tests, to determine the extent of ADHD.
Some people choose to go to a private clinic to have their ADHD assessed. This is becoming more common as the NHS waiting list continues to increase. There are different organisations in the UK that offer private assessments of ADHD, depending on where you live. You can check out a list of them here, or you can consult your GP about which one would be best for you. Private examinations can be faster than the NHS. However your health insurance will not cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause serious problems in different areas of life like relationships or work, so an accurate diagnosis can help with these issues. Due to the increase in people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to deal with. Waiting times can be lengthy. Some individuals opt to pay for their assessments privately. This allows them to avoid NHS waiting lists to start treatment sooner.
After you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to develop an action plan for treating the disorder. This could include medication, or CBT therapy. It is important to consider this prior to when you have your assessment, since it will help you decide what the best course of action for you is.
Depending on where you live in the UK You may be able access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If this is the case, you should be taken to a specialist psychiatrist or paediatrician, who will examine your symptoms and issue a diagnosis based on the NICE 87 guidelines.
Self-referral is available even if you don't have GP referral. A private mental health practitioner will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is usually more efficient than the NHS method, but you must ensure that your GP accepts an "Shared Care Agreement" with your private doctor.
Your doctor will ask questions regarding your past and current behaviors. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also ask you about how these traits are affecting your life right now. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and record instances of instances where you've been affected by these traits in your life before scheduling an appointment.
A diagnosis of ADHD can alter your life. It can result in a variety of treatments and offer an increased sense of self-confidence for those who were previously not diagnosed. It can also lead better relationships and a more fulfilled life.