How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
Finding an ADHD assessment from the NHS can be difficult. The waiting lists can be lengthy and, in some cases, people are diagnosed with a other illness that might explain their issues better for example, anxiety or depression.
Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and listen to why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. Your GP will then refer you to the NHS to conduct an assessment.
1. Check with your GP
In England and Wales, you can access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is suggested for you, you may be able to access it. You'll need to tell your GP why you believe you might be suffering from ADHD and the impact it has on your life. Your GP will take this seriously and ask you to complete the questionnaire or screen tool before referring you to an expert for an evaluation. For adults, it will be particularly important to prepare an outline of the specific ADHD traits and symptoms that you experience in your day-to-day life, and be ready to give examples when asked.
Your psychiatrist will collaborate closely with you to determine if you have ADHD. They will make use of a variety of tools and methods, including checklists for symptom identification and scales for assessing your behaviour. They will also interview you, your family, and other people who know you very well. They will consider the information they gather and then write an account. Then, they will discuss their recommendations with you, which could be that you are diagnosed with ADHD and, if necessary you should be treated with a medication.
You might find that some doctors are not willing to make an appointment for an assessment or not prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS In this instance, it is worth finding a different GP who can be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK has some great tips on this issue on their website here.
In England, it is your legal right to pick the location that you receive an ADHD evaluation, provided that the services you receive are provided by the NHS and the price of the service is not more than what you would have to pay for it if you were to go directly to the NHS. If you're not able to agree with your local CCG you can contact ICAS for help when making an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales The NHS has different guidelines and rules. You can access services via Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK offers some suggestions regarding this.
2. Request a reference
Depending on where you live in the UK there are two different options you can choose to get an ADHD assessment. The first is to go through the NHS by asking your GP to refer. This could be a lengthy process, and sometimes you'll have to wait years before getting a diagnosis. You can also opt for the 'Right to Choose' pathway. This is a legal right which permits you to request the referral of private providers when you feel that the NHS wait time for an ADHD assessment is too long.
If you choose to do this then your GP must accept this, and also sign a "shared care agreement" with the provider that you've chosen. However, a majority of GPs do not like signing shared care agreements with patients that have been diagnosed privately, especially because they're not experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of its medication.
In the majority of cases, you will then be able to book an appointment with the private provider of your choice. Prior to completing the initial assessment the ADHD specialist will interview you and your child if they are older than 11 years old. older. The clinician will then give you a clear indication of whether they believe that your symptoms may be due to ADHD, or not.
After the initial evaluation, if it is thought that ADHD may be causing your issues, they'll typically send you home with an additional questionnaire to complete for your workplace or school. Then, they'll schedule an appointment for a follow-up to discuss their findings and discuss the diagnosis. The appointment will be a chance to discuss any medication options, and if it is decided that medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and asked to prescribe it for you. Any other recommendations regarding support at work or school will be discussed with your doctor and any charges for this will be agreed before starting. Many private providers offer assistance and advice for free between appointments through email or phone calls.
3. Go for an evaluation
It isn't always easy to get an ADHD diagnosis in the UK, and it is often mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health issues. how do i get my son assessed for adhd of diagnosing ADHD is to have an assessment performed by a psychiatrist with expertise in the field.
You might have to wait a while to get an assessment from the NHS. Consult your GP to discuss the wait time. Right to Choose is an exciting new NHS initiative which gives you the choice of the organization to which you are being referred. This lets you skip the NHS waiting lists and will make the whole process much faster.
The psychiatrist will ask you to describe your symptoms, and how they impact your daily routine. The psychiatrist will then conduct a systematic clinical assessment using standardised questions. It can be helpful to familiarise yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment and write down examples, as it is common for people's minds to become blank when talking about their own experience.
The test will also consist of physical examinations as well as interviews with parents teachers, colleagues and family members. It is crucial to ensure that the data gathered is accurate and as complete as is possible, so the psychiatrist can give you the most exact diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist suspects that you or your children have ADHD and he is concerned, he will recommend you to a program for adults with ADHD. This will be an additional appointment that may include a variety tests, such as brain images and psychological tests to determine the severity of ADHD.
Some people opt to take a private ADHD assessment - this is becoming more popular as waiting lists in the NHS continue to increase. Based on where you live in the UK, there are numerous organizations that provide private assessments for ADHD. You can check out a list of them here, or speak to your GP about which option is the best one for you. Private examinations can be faster than the NHS. However the health insurance you have won't cover the cost.
4. Get a diagnosis
ADHD can cause issues in a wide range of areas. For instance, it can affect relationships and work. An accurate diagnosis can aid in resolving these problems. Due to the rise in people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to manage. The wait times can be long. Some people opt to pay privately for their assessment. This allows them to bypass NHS waiting lists and start treatment sooner.
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to develop an action plan for treating the disorder. This could be medication, or CBT therapy. It is crucial to consider this prior to when you have your assessment, as it will help determine what the most effective course of action for you will be.
Depending on where you reside in the UK, you may be able access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If this is the situation you will be taken to a paediatrician, or psychiatrist who will evaluate your symptoms and make a diagnosis based upon the 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 process is typically faster than the NHS pathway, but it is essential to ensure that your GP will accept a 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private practitioner.
Your expert will ask you questions about your past and present behaviours. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also ask about how these traits impact your daily life. Before going to an appointment, it's helpful to familiarise yourselves with the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and to record examples of how these characteristics have affected your life.
A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It can lead to many treatment options and provide a greater sense of self-understanding for adults who were previously undiagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and lead to a happier life.