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How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
Finding an ADHD assessment from the NHS isn't easy. The waiting lists can be long and patients may be diagnosed with other disorders that better explain their difficulties such as depression or anxiety.
Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and consider the reasons you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They will then refer you to an NHS assessment.
1. See your GP
In England and Wales in England and Wales, you can get an ADHD assessment through the NHS. If medication is prescribed for you, you may be able to obtain it. You'll have to visit your GP and explain how you think you might have ADHD and what impact it is having on your life. Your GP should take this seriously and will require you to fill out some questionnaires or a screening tool prior to they refer you to a specialist for an assessment. For adults, it is especially important to create a list of specific ADHD traits and symptoms you encounter in your daily life, and be prepared to give examples when you are asked.
Your psychiatrist will collaborate with you to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD and will employ a variety techniques and methods, including symptom checklists, behavior rating scales, and interviews with you along with your family members, friends and other people who know you well. They will take the information they receive and then write an assessment report. They will then discuss their recommendation with you, which could be that you have been diagnosed with ADHD and, if appropriate you should be treated with medication.
If you find that your doctor is unable to refer you for an assessment or refuses to prescribe ADHD medication through the NHS, it may be worthwhile looking for a different GP who will be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK offers some useful advice about this on their website here.
In England, you have the legal right to decide where your GP refers you to get an ADHD assessment, as long that the service is offered through the NHS and doesn't cost more than going through the NHS directly. If you're unable to agree with your local CCG you can contact ICAS for help 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 can access services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK provides some advice on this.
2. Request a reference
Depending on where you live in the UK there are two different ways to get an ADHD assessment. The one is to use the NHS and ask your GP to refer you. It can be a lengthy process, and sometimes you may end up waiting years to get a diagnosis. You can also opt for the 'Right to Choose route. This is a legal option that allows you to request a referral to private providers if you think the NHS waiting time for an ADHD assessment is too long.
If you decide to go this route then your GP will need to approve and sign a "shared care agreement" with the healthcare provider you've selected. However, most doctors do not like signing shared care agreements for patients that have been diagnosed privately, particularly because they aren't experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of the medication.
In the majority of cases, you will then book an appointment with a private service of your choosing. The ADHD specialist will carry out an interview and questionnaire with you and your child (if older than 11) before conducting an initial assessment. The clinician will then provide you with an accurate indication of whether they think that your symptoms may be due to ADHD, or not.
If it is determined that ADHD may be the cause of your problem, you will usually be sent home with additional questionnaires for your school or workplace. They will then schedule an appointment for a follow-up to discuss the findings and explain your diagnosis. This appointment will give you the chance to discuss the options for medication. If they determine that medication is needed, your GP will be informed and asked to prescribe the medication for you. Any other recommendations related to support at school or work will be discussed with your doctor and any fees for this will be discussed prior to beginning. Most private providers offer assistance and advice for free between appointments through email or phone calls.
3. Get an assessment
It isn't easy to obtain an ADHD diagnosis in the UK, and it is often mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health disorders. The best way to confirm a diagnosis of ADHD is with an assessment done by a specialist psychiatrist who is specialized in the condition.
You may have to wait for a while before you can receive an assessment through the NHS. If you're worried about the waiting times, talk to your GP about 'Right to choose' - a new NHS initiative that grants you the option of choosing the organisation that you're referred to for your evaluation. This allows you to skip the NHS waiting lists and can make the entire process quicker.
When you go for your ADHD assessment the psychiatrist will collect a detailed history of your symptoms and how they impact on your daily life. The psychiatrist will then conduct a formal clinical assessment with standardised questions. It is helpful to be familiar 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 be in a blank space when discussing their own experiences.
The assessment will also include physical examinations as well as interviews with relatives as well as teachers and colleagues. It is crucial that the information gathered is accurate and as complete as possible, so the psychiatrist can give you the most accurate diagnosis.
If a psychiatrist believes that you or your child have ADHD, they will send you for a complete diagnostic evaluation at a specially-commissioned adult ADHD service. This is an additional appointment which could include a variety of tests including psychological tests and brain images to determine the severity of ADHD.
Some people opt to have a private ADHD assessment - this is becoming more popular as waiting lists through the NHS continue to increase. There are different organisations in the UK that provide private assessments of ADHD, depending on the location you reside in. You can look up a list here, or you can talk to your GP about which one would be best for you. Private assessments can be quicker than using the NHS. However the health insurance you have won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause significant problems in a variety of areas such as relationships or work, and an accurate diagnosis can help with these issues. Due to the increasing number of people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to manage. The waiting times for assessments can be long. Some people opt to pay privately for their assessment. This lets them skip NHS waiting lists and begin treatment earlier.
After how to get assessed for adhd 've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to formulate an action plan for treating the disorder. This could include medication or CBT therapy. It is crucial to consider this prior to when you have your assessment, since it will help you decide what the most effective course of action for you will be.
You could be eligible for an ADHD assessment through the NHS depending on where you live in the UK. If this is the case, you must be directed to a specialist psychiatrist or paediatrician who will examine your symptoms and make a diagnosis based on the NICE 87 guidelines.
Self-referral is an option in the event that you don't have a GP referral. A private mental health professional will conduct an ADHD assessment. This route is often quicker than the NHS pathway, but it is important to check that your GP will accept the 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private clinician.
When you're tested for ADHD the doctor will ask you questions about your current and past behaviors. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these characteristics are affecting your life now. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and then note down instances of the ways you have encountered these characteristics in your own life prior to making an appointment.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD, it can be a life-changing experience. It can open the doors to a myriad of treatment options and can provide an understanding of yourself and awareness that some previously undiagnosed adults discover particularly beneficial. It can also lead to improved relationships and a more fulfilling life.