How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The process of getting an ADHD assessment from the NHS can be difficult. The waiting lists can be long, and people may be diagnosed with other disorders that can better explain their issues such as anxiety or depression.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and help you understand why you believe you may have ADHD. adhd assessment for women will then refer you to the NHS to conduct an assessment.
1. Check with your GP
In England and Wales in England and Wales, you can get the ADHD assessment through the NHS. If medication is prescribed for you, you might be able to get it. You'll have to go to your GP and explain how you think you might have ADHD and what impact it has on your life. Your GP should take this seriously and may ask you to fill in some questionnaires or a screening tool prior to they send you to a specialist for an assessment. Adults should prepare an outline of specific ADHD symptoms and traits they encounter on a daily basis. Prepare to provide examples when you are asked.
Your psychiatrist will collaborate with you to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD, and they will use a range of methods and tools, such as symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, as well as interviewing you, your family members and others who know you well. The psychiatrist will then write a report that is based on the information they have received. Then, they will discuss their recommendation with you, which could mean that you have been diagnosed with ADHD and, if it is appropriate you should start treatment with a medication.
If you discover that your GP is not willing to refer you for an evaluation or doesn't prescribe ADHD medication through the NHS or other health insurance, it could be worth seeking out a different GP who will be more accommodating. Psychiatry-UK's website has some useful information on this topic.
In England it is your legal right to choose the place that 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 what you would have to pay if you went directly to the NHS. If you're unable to get an improvement from your local CCG You can request ICAS to help you submit an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales the NHS has different guidelines and regulations. You might be able avail services through Right to Choose, and Psychiatry-UK also have some tips on this subject here.
2. Ask for a referral
Depending on where you reside in the UK there are two different ways to get an ADHD assessment. The first is to go through the NHS by asking your GP to refer you. This could be a long process and you may have to wait years for a diagnosis. Alternately, you can opt for the 'Right of Choice' pathway. This is a brand new legal right which means that if you feel that the NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, you can request to be directed to a private service via this route.
If you decide to sign this agreement the GP will need to approve and sign a "shared care agreement" with the provider you've selected. Many GPs are reluctant sign shared agreements with patients who have been diagnosed privately particularly because they lack expertise to diagnose ADHD or prescribing medication for it.
In most instances, you will be able to make an appointment with the private service you prefer. The ADHD specialist will conduct an interview and questionnaire with you and your child (if older than 11) before conducting an initial assessment. adhd assessment for women will then provide you with an exact indication of whether they think that your symptoms could be caused by ADHD or not.
After the initial assessment, if it is thought that ADHD could be the cause of your issues, they'll typically send you home with some additional questionnaires to fill out for your school or work. Then they will arrange an appointment with you to discuss their findings and provide a diagnosis. This appointment is a chance to discuss medication options. If it is determined that medication is necessary then your GP will then be informed and requested to prescribe the medication for you. Any other recommendations relating to support at school or work will be discussed with your doctor and any costs are discussed before starting. Most private providers offer free advice and assistance between appointments by emails or phone calls of a short duration.
3. Get an assessment
Finding an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can be difficult and often, it's mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health conditions. The best way to diagnose ADHD is by having an assessment done by a psychiatrist with had experience with the condition.
It could take a while to get an assessment from the NHS. If you're concerned about waiting times, ask your GP about 'Right to Choose', a new NHS initiative that grants you the option of choosing the organization to which you are referred for your evaluation. This allows you to skip the NHS waiting list and can make the process much more efficient.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment the psychiatrist will collect an extensive history of your symptoms and how they impact on your daily life. The psychiatrist will then conduct a structured clinical evaluation using the same set of questions. It can be beneficial to familiarise yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment. You should note down your experiences, as it is common for people's minds to go in a blank space when discussing their own experience.
The assessment will include physical examinations as well as interviews with teachers, family members and colleagues. The psychiatrist needs precise and complete information in order to make the most accurate diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist believes that you or your children are suffering from ADHD then he'll refer you to a service for adults suffering from ADHD. This will be a further appointment that may include several tests including psychological tests and brain imaging, which will aid in determining the severity of the disorder.
Some people choose to take a private ADHD evaluation - this is growing in popularity as waiting lists in the NHS continue to grow. There are a variety of organizations in the UK that provide private assessments for ADHD according to the area you reside. You can look up a list here, or you can speak to your GP about which option is the best one for you. Private examinations can be faster than using the NHS. However, your health insurance won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause serious problems in different areas of life such as work or relationships, so an accurate diagnosis can aid in addressing 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 choose to pay for their assessments privately. This allows them to avoid NHS waiting lists and begin treatment sooner.
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, the next step is to put an effective treatment plan. This could be treatment with medication or CBT. It is crucial to think about this before you make your assessment since it will help you decide what the best course of action for you will be.
Depending on where you reside 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 directed to a paediatrician or psychiatrist who will assess your symptoms and determine a diagnosis on the basis of the NICE 87 guidelines.
Self-referral is an option even if you don't have GP referral. A private mental health professional will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is often more efficient than the NHS option, however you should ensure whether your GP has a "Shared Care Agreement" with your private clinician.
When you are assessed for ADHD Your doctor will ask questions about your current and past behaviours. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these traits impact your life today. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with the criteria for diagnosing ADHD and then write down examples of how you have encountered these characteristics in your life prior to making an appointment.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD it can be a life-changing experience. It can open up a variety of treatment options and provide an increased sense of self-confidence for adults who were previously not diagnosed. It can also lead to improved relationships and a more fulfilling life.