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How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are a number of significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments.
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Before your appointment you will receive questions to screen for. Your psychiatrist will then go over them. This will ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for prolonged appointments.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or you are having trouble to control your emotions, then you should consider consulting with a doctor to determine whether ADHD could be the cause. Around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD and it is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way the brain performs. It is important to be aware that other conditions may cause problems. These conditions must be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you visit for an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire about how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they affect your life. They will then assess whether you meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders also known as the DSM-5. They will look at how your symptoms interfere with your daily activities, as well as seeking input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists have a lot of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll be able to determine in a short time if you meet the criteria. If
like it 're not certain they'll conduct a comprehensive psycho-psychiatric examination and look at your other health problems. This will include a look at other illnesses that can be associated with ADHD and also those which can lead to the wrong diagnosis of ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS, private providers can provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We suggest that you look up the wait times for each one prior to deciding on one. You can ask your GP about this, or contact them directly to inquire what their current wait time is for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, be sure they provide this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to offer this service, so it's worthwhile to consult your GP to find out what the arrangements are in your area.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD, you can request your GP to refer you to an assessment. However, it's important to know that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD themselves - they are able to communicate your symptoms and ask for the referral to a mental health specialist.
When you attend your assessment, you can expect to consult with a psychiatrist consultant. This specialist will ask you questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as a child. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. They will apply these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD.
The process of diagnosing ADHD is a difficult task for a lot of people. This can be due to the stigma that is associated with the condition as well as the lack of awareness by health professionals. In addition, individuals from certain groups, such as those who are of color, assigned a female at birth, or not native English speakers, can be discriminated against when seeking treatment for their symptoms.
It can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis since there is no test that can establish the presence of ADHD. When ADHD is the cause, many people are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This can result in significant issues with personal and professional relationships as well as daily functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're dissatisfied with the waiting time at your local NHS service you can decide to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We've compiled an inventory of the providers that offer ADHD assessments through this scheme. Contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options that are available to people suffering from ADHD.
like it can include psychosocial support, medication or both. The most appropriate option for each individual will depend on their unique needs and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial support can help treat co-existing disorders like anxiety or depression.
Someone with ADHD could also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment for example, changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work environments. This can be done with the guidance of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The specialist will not only look for ADHD but also look for other comorbid conditions of the mental health, which may often occur alongside or mimic ADHD among adults. This will be done by examining symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from those who are familiar with the person, such as family members and close friends.
If a doctor believes the person is a candidate for ADHD they will go over the options for treatment. The most popular treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. They are available in tablets or injections and can have both long-term and short-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed to control adverse effects, like sleep problems and appetite loss that are often related to ADHD. Certain people can also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can assist to deal with depression or anxiety symptoms.
GPs are legally required to refer patients with concerns about ADHD for an assessment and treatment. According to the BBC that a backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is an extremely long period of waiting for an essential service. Many people choose to go the route of private assessment because they can self-refer and get direct access to specialists.
Support
Visit your GP to get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. They'll consider your concerns seriously and ask the reasons you think you have ADHD. They may also ask you to complete an assessment tool to determine whether you're eligible for an appointment. Once your GP agrees to refer you to a specialist, you will be added to the NHS waiting lists.
In England The average waiting time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is due to the an enormous demand for this service, and many regions are struggling to keep pace with the demand.
If you are concerned about the length of time you will be waiting to be assessed, you might be able to write a letter to your GP detailing what you require. This will help them to understand the importance of the examination and ensure that your request is followed up on. You can download a sample letter from ADHD UK here.

After you have been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will invite you for an assessment. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and examine your mental health history to rule out any other medical conditions that could be causing your ADHD-related symptoms. They'll also discuss your daily routine and how ADHD affects your daily life. The test will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or via video calls.
You may be qualified for medication on the NHS when your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However this is only possible if you're able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you do not want to wait for an GP to refer you or even if you don't have a GP.
You can also seek assistance from your local mental trust. You can locate a list of NHS mental health trusts that offer ADHD assessments in your area by searching on the websites of individual Trusts (except those which do not offer services) or contacting their press offices.