ADHD Assessment UK A Simple Definition

How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There are significant differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed.
You will receive a pre-screening questionnaire to fill out and your psychiatrist will examine prior to you meet. This will help to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments.
Symptoms
If you are having trouble concentrating, restlessness or managing your emotions, it is recommended to talk to a doctor to determine if ADHD may be the cause. About 2.6 million people in the UK suffer from ADHD which is a neurodevelopmental issue that affects the way the brain operates. It is essential to be aware that other conditions could be causing you problems. These should be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms when you undergo an ADHD assessment. They'll also inquire about how long you've been suffering from these symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. Then, they'll determine if you meet the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also solicit opinions from people who know you and consider the impact of your symptoms on your daily activities.
Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD, and it's highly likely that they will be able to quickly determine if you meet the criteria for diagnosis. If they are not sure they'll conduct an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. adhd assessment cost iampsychiatry includes looking at other conditions that can coexist with ADHD and those that can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
If you're trying to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS, there are private providers who can provide assessments via a video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page and we suggest to look over the waiting time before you choose one. You can ask your GP about this, or call them directly to find out what their current wait time is for an assessment. If this is crucial to you, make sure they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is worthwhile to consult your GP to determine what arrangements are for your region.
Diagnosis
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you think you be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that GPs can't diagnose ADHD They can only report symptoms and request for a referral to a specialist.
You can expect to be assessed by a psychiatrist. This specialist will interview you about your life and medical background, in addition to asking you questions about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life. They might also ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales.
The process of assessment is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will assess your current symptoms and how they affected you as a child. They will also consider the presence of comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These criteria will be used to determine if you have ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a struggle for many. This could be due to the stigma that surrounds the condition, and an absence of awareness among healthcare professionals. People belonging to certain groups may be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, for example, women of color, those assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking individuals.
It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis since there is no test that can establish the presence of ADHD. Many people are diagnosed with a different condition, such as anxiety or depression, when the root of the issue is ADHD. This can cause significant problems with personal and professional relationships as well as day-to-day functioning.
The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service you can opt to go to a different provider under the Right to Choose scheme. We have put together a list of providers that offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. You should contact the providers directly to inquire about their waiting times.
Treatment
A number of treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. These include psychosocial support, medication or both. The most appropriate option for each individual will be based on their specific needs and circumstances. While medication can ease symptoms and help improve performance, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
A person with ADHD may also benefit from reasonable adjustments to their environment, for example, making changes to seating arrangements or reducing distractions at the workplace or educational settings. This can be done with the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to the evaluation for ADHD, the doctor will also examine whether there are any mental health issues that often accompany or appear to mimic ADHD in adults. This is accomplished by reviewing symptom checklists and asking for feedback from people who know the person well, such as family members and friends.
If a specialist believes that the patient is a candidate for ADHD they will go over the treatment options. Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment since they improve concentration and reduce impulsiveness. They are available as pills or injections and may be used for both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications can be prescribed to control side effects, such as eating disorders and sleep problems 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 obliged to refer patients who have concerns about ADHD for an assessment and treatment. However, the NHS has an unfinished list of ADHD assessments that could take eight years to eliminate, according to the BBC's investigation using FOI requests. This is a long time to wait for an essential service. Many people choose to take the private assessment route because they can self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step to getting an ADHD assessment on the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be taken seriously, and they should ask you what you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They may request you to complete a screening tool to see whether you're eligible to receive an appointment. After your GP accepts to refer you to a specialist, you will be placed on the NHS waiting lists.
The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. This is due to an overwhelming demand for the service, and many regions are struggling to keep up with it.
If you're worried about how long you'll have to wait, it might be beneficial to write an email to your GP explaining why you need an assessment. This will allow your GP to understand the importance and urgency of the assessment and ensure that they take action upon your request. Here is a sample of an email from ADHD UK.
Once you've been referred to a specialist, you'll be referred to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and examine your mental health history to rule out other conditions that could cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They'll also talk about your lifestyle and how ADHD affects your daily routine. The assessment can last between 45 and 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video conference.
If your GP refers you for an NHS ADHD assessment and you are eligible, you could be eligible for medication through the NHS. However, this will only be possible if you're able to be assessed through the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you do not want to wait for an GP to refer you, or in the event that you don't have one.
Alternately, you can seek out support from your local mental health trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that do not provide the service) or by contacting them.