How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
There is a wide variation in quality of adult ADHD assessments and assessments. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Before your consultation you will be given pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then review them. This will ensure that your consultation is smooth and without the need for long appointments.
Symptoms
If you're experiencing difficulty concentrating and restlessness or find it difficult to manage your emotions then it might be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the cause. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way the brain works. It is essential to keep in mind that other conditions could be causing problems for you. These should be considered before you are diagnosed with ADHD.
If you go to an ADHD assessment, your therapist will begin by asking questions about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also ask how long you've been experiencing these symptoms, and how they impact your life. Then, they will determine if you meet the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also consider how your symptoms impact your daily life, as well as seeking input from those who know you.
Psychiatrists have plenty of experience in diagnosing ADHD. They'll likely be able tell you in a short time if you meet the criteria. If they're not certain they'll conduct an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as look at your other health issues. This includes looking at other conditions that can be co-existent with ADHD and those that can lead to an undiagnosed case of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
If you're having trouble getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS private providers are able to provide assessments through video calls. These providers are listed on our page Getting an ADHD Assessment. We recommend that you check the waiting times for each service before deciding on one. You can consult your GP about this, or call them directly to find out the current waiting times for an assessment. If this is essential to your needs, make sure that they provide this service. Certain providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is worthwhile to consult your GP to see what the arrangements are for your region.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, you can inquire with your GP to refer you for an assessment. It is important to remember that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD by themselves. They can only communicate your symptoms and ask for the referral to a mental health specialist.
When you go for your assessment, you can expect to meet with a consultant psychiatrist. The specialist will ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and how ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales.
The assessment process is based on the guidelines set out by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your specialist will take a look at your current symptoms and how they affected you as an infant. They will also take into account other comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. They will use these criteria to determine if or not you suffer from ADHD.
Finding out that you have ADHD can be a challenge for many. This can be because of the stigma surrounding the condition and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. People from certain groups can be subject to discrimination when they seek treatment for their symptoms, such as people of color, women assigned at birth, or non-native English speaking people.
There is no test that can verify ADHD. When ADHD is the cause many people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This can lead to significant issues with personal and professional relationships as well as everyday functioning.
The NHS offers the Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. If you are dissatisfied with the waiting times at your local NHS services, you can choose to visit another provider via the Right to Choose scheme. We've put together a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about wait times, contact the service providers.
Treatment
ADHD sufferers have a range of treatment options. These include psychosocial assistance or both. The best choice will depend on the individual's unique needs and circumstances. While medications can alleviate symptoms and improve performance, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety.
A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from making sensible adjustments to their surroundings like changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in educational or work settings. This can be done under the supervision of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The doctor will not just assess for ADHD but also look for comorbid conditions of the mental health, which can often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This is done with the use of symptom checklists and also by asking those who are familiar with you to provide feedback.
If a doctor believes the patient is a candidate for ADHD, they will discuss the options for treatment. Stimulants are the most common treatment because they boost concentration and reduce the tendency to be impulsive. They are available in tablets or injections, and can have both short- and long-term effects.
Other medications may be prescribed for adverse effects, such as sleep disturbances and appetite loss that are sometimes associated ADHD. Some people may also benefit from psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, which can help combat depressive or anxiety symptoms.
GPs need to take any concerns about possible ADHD seriously and are legally required to refer patients to an assessment and treatment if required. According to the BBC that a backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a long time to wait for an essential service. Many people opt to go the private assessment route because they are able to self-refer and have direct access to specialists.
Support
The first step in getting an ADHD assessment through the NHS is to visit your GP. Your concerns should be treated with seriousness and they'll ask you why you think you be suffering from ADHD. You may be asked to complete screening tests to determine if you are eligible for an appointment. Once your GP has accepted to refer you, they'll add you to the NHS waiting list.
In England the average wait time for an adult ADHD assessment is two years. This is due to an overwhelming demand for the service, and many regions are struggling to keep up with it.
If you're worried about the length of time you will be waiting for an assessment You may want to write a note to your GP informing them of the information you require. This will allow them to be aware of the importance of the assessment and ensure that your request gets acted on. Here is an example of the letter from ADHD UK.
If you've been referred to a specialist, you'll be invited to an assessment with an expert psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. During the assessment, they'll review your symptoms and look over your mental health background to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms of ADHD. They'll also discuss your lifestyle and how ADHD impacts your daily life. The assessment will typically last 45-90 minutes and may be conducted in person or via video conference.
You could be qualified for medication on the NHS in the event that your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. This will only be attainable in the event that your GP is able to refer you for an assessment using the Right to Choose pathway. Self-referral is an option if you don't want to wait around for an GP to refer you, or in the event that you don't have one.
You can also seek support from your local mental trust. You can determine which NHS mental health trusts in your area offer ADHD assessments by searching their websites (except for those that don't run the service) or by contacting them.