14 Smart Ways To Spend Your Leftover Cost Of ADHD Assessment Budget
The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
If you opt for the NHS method, your evaluation and treatment will be covered by the national health service. However, the NHS generally has long waiting times.
You can also have your ADHD assessment privately funded through the 'Right of Choice route in England. However, the services you can choose must be clinically appropriate and must not cost more than an NHS one.
1. In-person assessment
During the assessment you will be paired with a seasoned psychiatrist to analyze your thoughts, presentations, and experiences. You will be asked about your family background as well as any mental issues you have had in the past. The psychiatrist will gather information from various sources such as symptom checklists and behaviour rating scales and will also talk with you and your relatives or close friends about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different environments.
Depending on the medical expert's judgment, it could be necessary to evaluate whether or not your symptoms could be explained more effectively by other psychiatric or medical disorders that coexist with ADHD. Anxiety disorders, for example, can present with symptoms that are similar to ADHD and have the same effect on work and relationships. It is therefore crucial to rule out other disorders that could trigger symptoms of ADHD before moving on to look into medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you decide to use the NHS, your first step is to visit your GP to explain why you believe you have ADHD symptoms. Your GP should treat this as an issue that is serious and send you for an assessment. However, waiting times for NHS assessments can be very long. If you are unable to wait, you can opt for the private route, which is more expensive but offers shorter waiting times.
At the time of your appointment, you will be asked to complete several questionnaires, and then the QbTest (a computerised test that measures core ADHD symptoms of activity, attention and impulsivity) will be administered. You should familiarise yourselves with the signs of ADHD so you can describe how you experience these traits in your everyday life. The psychiatrist will evaluate your answers, and then discuss the next steps. This could include looking into medication options.
2. Online assessment
An online assessment is a possibility that is quicker than waiting for an NHS appointment. However, it's more expensive. The cost of an online assessment for ADHD patients could range from PS240 to 2500. This includes the assessment as well as a complete diagnosis report and medication costs.
In the UK adults and children can get ADHD assessments through the NHS with a referral from their GP. However, a BBC investigation shows that there are long waits to visit specialists. One woman in Sheffield, for example is waiting for two years for a specialist. The symptoms she has are suicidal thoughts, which can be an indication of undiagnosed ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, patients with ADHD is assessed by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the examination, a psychiatrist will examine and interview the patient, by using questionnaires and observations of their behavior. The psychiatrist will then evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on daily life.
People with ADHD often use strategies like calendars, diaries and post-it notes to manage their symptoms. However, these methods aren't always efficient. These methods can create anxiety and confusion, especially in people with mental health issues. The evaluation will also include an examination of the body and a review of medical history.
Right to Choose is my response of the NHS which allows you to choose where you're referred for assessment. It's available to anyone who's registered with a GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can ask to be directed to a private clinic partnered with the NHS that offers an ADHD assessment, as long they're licensed by the NHS and do not charge more than the NHS.
3. Diagnosis
A specialist nurse or psychiatrist will usually conduct an ADHD assessment, based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). For adults, this includes the assessment of comorbid disorders such as anxiety or depression.
During the appointment, you'll discuss your current symptoms and your family history with the doctor. They'll also ask you to fill out questionnaires or rating scales. The expert will note your behaviour and how it affects others, such as your partner or your children.
The psychiatrist will review all the data to determine if you meet the ADHD criteria, including subtypes. The specialist will then outline their findings and recommend the best course of treatment.
If the psychiatrist suggests medication then a prescription will be issued for you to take to a pharmacy of your preference. The cost of prescriptions is for the administrative process only and do not cover the cost of medications. You will have to pay separately for the medication. If you require an titration of your medication, further appointments may be required until you're stable on the medication.
It is important to discuss your diagnosis with your GP and anyone else who may need to be aware of it, such as your school or employer. Our experts can provide letters of recommendation for educational accommodations such as additional time during exams or a reduction in deadlines.
For some people, getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a long process, particularly in the event that their GP doesn't take them seriously or doesn't believe they have the symptoms. If this is the situation for you, we suggest taking a look at our Getting an ADHD Assessment page for tips and advice on how to get your GP to recommend you to a specialist.
4. Medication
There are many medicines that are approved to be used in the UK to treat ADHD. These are typically stimulants and include the well-known medication methylphenidate (Ritalin) and the newer amphetamine-based medicine Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). In the beginning, it is recommended that patients start with a low dose of medication which is then gradually increased over a period of time until a patient has stabilized on their dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular meetings with psychiatrists to discuss any side effects and monitor progress.
Medicines can ease the symptoms caused by ADHD and ease the burden they put on families, individuals and workplaces. They function by increasing neurotransmitters, which enable brain cells to communicate. Finding the right medication is a personal choice and may take some time. Once someone is prescribed the appropriate medication, it's crucial to adhere to the treatment program. Continuing to miss appointments or discontinuing their medication could lead to symptoms returning and the medication not working as well.
A psychiatrist expert is not able to prescribe medication during the assessment session. However, they may refer you to an expert who will discuss your options for medication with you and, if needed, prescribe. This will require further titration sessions to determine the correct dosage, and regular checks to ensure that your medication is working. The NHS does not usually pay for prescriptions, which means you will have to pay a premium at your pharmacy.
Private clinics also charge for follow-up consultations. This includes writing and sending recommendation letters to schools or employers when required. It could include guidance and advice about medication or any medical concerns between appointments by email or brief phone calls (limited to 20 minutes). The initial ADHD assessment does not include the cost for titration or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has long struggled to meet the demand for adult ADHD assessments. In the end, some areas are experiencing waiting times that can be as long as eight years, according to BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The assessment process can be lengthy but it's essential to have a clear diagnosis. The psychiatrist conducting the assessment will be in contact with you about your medical history and lifestyle and also your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems to help the consultant assess how you are feeling.
After the interview you will receive the report of your specialist which will include a diagnosis of ADHD and recommendations for treatment and ongoing support. They will also speak to you about whether or how ADHD might be a contributing factor to any health problems or concerns that you may have.
There are many types of ADHD and they appear differently in every individual. It's important that you tell your specialist the symptoms you're experiencing to determine the kind of ADHD. This is the reason a thorough ADHD assessment is crucial and will give you the most effective chance of finding the appropriate treatment for your specific symptoms.
Private healthcare providers are an alternative to the NHS for those who want to avoid waiting and want to speed up their ADHD evaluation. Self-referrals to private mental health professionals can allow individuals to access experts who are knowledgeable about adult ADHD faster. The process usually starts with a first consultation with a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist with experience in adult ADHD assessments.