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 lengthy and patients may be diagnosed with other conditions which can explain their problems such as anxiety or depression.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and ask why you think you may have ADHD. The doctor will then refer you to the NHS to conduct an assessment.
1. Check with your GP
In England and Wales you can receive an ADHD assessment through the NHS and it could be possible to get medication if this is appropriate for you. You'll need to tell your GP why you believe you might be suffering from ADHD and the effects it has on your life. Your GP should be aware of this, and they will require you to fill out some questionnaires or a screening tool before they recommend you to a specialist to have an assessment. For adults, it will be especially important to create an outline of the specific ADHD characteristics and symptoms you encounter in your daily life, and be ready to provide examples when you are asked.
Your psychiatrist will collaborate closely with you to determine if you have ADHD. They will make use of a variety of tools and techniques, such as symptoms checklists and scales to assess your behavior. They will also interview you, your family members, and others who know you well. They will take the information they receive and then write an assessment report. how do you get assessed for adhd will then discuss with you what they recommend and it could be that you have an ADHD diagnosis and, if necessary it is recommended that you begin treatment with a medication.
If you discover that your GP is not willing to refer you for an assessment or refuses to prescribe ADHD medication through the NHS, it may be worth seeking out a different physician who is more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK offers some useful tips on this issue on their website here.
In England, it is your legal right to choose the place where you receive an ADHD assessment, as long as the service you receive is provided by the NHS, and the cost of the service isn't more than what you would have to pay for it if you were to go directly to the NHS. If you are unable to achieve progress with your local CCG, you can ask ICAS to assist you in making an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales, the NHS has different guidelines and regulations. You might be able to avail services through Right to Choose, and Psychiatry UK has some advice regarding this here.
2. Request a recommendation
There are two ways to obtain an ADHD evaluation, depending on where you live. The first is to go through the NHS and request your GP to recommend you. This can be a long process, and you'll have to wait several years to receive an appointment. Alternatively, you can use the 'Right to Choose route. This is a brand new legal right which means that when you feel that the NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, you can ask to be referred to a private provider by this method.
If you decide to go this route then your GP will have to agree and sign an "shared care agreement" with the service provider you've selected. However, a majority of GPs do not like signing shared care agreements for patients who have been diagnosed privately, particularly because they aren't experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of the medication.
In most cases, you'll be able to book an appointment with the private service of your choice. The ADHD specialist will carry out an interview and questionnaires with you and your child (if older than 11) before completing an initial assessment. The clinician will let you know if they believe that your symptoms are related to ADHD or not.
After the initial assessment, if it is thought that ADHD might be causing your issues, they'll usually send you away with some additional questionnaires to complete for your school or workplace. Then, they'll schedule an appointment for a follow-up to discuss their findings and discuss the diagnosis. This appointment will be a chance to discuss any options for medication, and if it is determined that the medication is suitable then your GP will be informed and will be asked to prescribe it for you. Your specialist will discuss any other recommendations regarding support at school or at work. Any costs are agreed upon prior to starting. Many private providers provide free advice and support between appointments, either by emails or phone calls.
3. Take a look at the assessment
Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK is not easy and often it's mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health conditions. The most effective method to identify ADHD is by having an assessment conducted by a psychiatrist with had experience with the condition.
You may need to wait for an assessment to be completed by the NHS. If you're worried about the waiting times, talk to your GP about 'Right to choose', a brand new NHS initiative that grants you the option of choosing the organization to which you are referred for your examination. This lets you skip the NHS waiting lists and will make the entire process faster.
When you visit for your ADHD assessment, the psychiatrist will take an in-depth account of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. The psychiatrist will then conduct a systematic clinical evaluation with regularized questions. It can be helpful to be familiar with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment. You should write down examples, as it's normal for people's minds to go in a blank space when discussing their own experiences.
The assessment will include physical examinations as well as interviews with teachers, family members and colleagues. The psychiatrist will need accurate and complete information to determine the most appropriate diagnosis.
If a psychiatrist believes that you or your child has ADHD or other disorders, they will send you for a complete diagnostic evaluation at a specially-commissioned adult ADHD service. This is a second appointment that could involve a variety of tests, including psychological tests and brain imaging, which will aid in determining the severity of the disorder.
Some people decide to take a private ADHD evaluation - this is becoming more popular as the waiting lists through the NHS continue to grow. There are many organizations in the UK which offer private assessments of ADHD based on the location you reside in. You can check out a list of them here, or speak to your GP about which one would be best for you. Private assessments are often quicker than using the NHS however, it's crucial to be aware that health insurance does not pay for the costs.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause major issues in a variety of areas such as relationships or work, so an accurate diagnosis can help with these problems. Unfortunately, due to the rise in people needing ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to keep up with demand and wait times can be lengthy. Some people opt to go private and pay for their assessments privately. This allows them to bypass NHS waiting lists and begin treatment sooner.
Once you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to get a treatment plan together. This could be medication or CBT therapy. It is important to consider this prior to when you get your assessment, because it will help you determine what the best course of action for you will be.
Depending on where you live in the UK You may be able to get an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If this is the case, you need to be taken to a specialist psychiatrist or paediatrician, who will assess your symptoms and provide an assessment based on NICE 87 guidelines.
Self-referral is an option even if you don't have GP referral. A private mental health provider will conduct an ADHD assessment. This route is often quicker than the NHS route, however it is essential to ensure whether your doctor will sign the 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private doctor.
When you are assessed for ADHD the doctor will ask questions regarding your present and previous behaviours. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these traits affect your life today. It is useful to familiarise yourself with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and note down instances of how you have been affected by these traits in your own life prior to making an appointment.
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It can result in many treatments and offer an improved sense of self-confidence for those who had previously been undiagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and a more fulfilled life.
