How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
During a NHS evaluation medical professionals will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life. You'll be asked about your family history and general health, as well as your symptoms.
You can also have an ADHD evaluation privately. Some private healthcare providers offer this service through the Right to Choose pathway.
Your GP
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from ADHD The first option is to speak to your GP. Your GP will be very attentive to your concerns and will ask you to describe your symptoms. They will then refer you to an ADHD clinic for a diagnosis.
The clinic will assess your symptoms and create a treatment plan that includes medication (if necessary) and therapy. During this procedure your psychiatrist will determine if there are any other medical or psychological issues that could cause similar symptoms. They will request information and will also seek out information from others such as your teachers, family members or your colleagues. You will be required to fill out a range of forms and questionnaires. For instance, the ASRS Version 1 from the World Health Organisation. It is recommended to prepare it in advance, to make sure you remember to bring it with you to your appointment.
Your GP has a legal obligation to fund an ADHD assessment under Right To Choose, but they may not be familiar with the procedure. We recommend giving your GP the support letter from ADHD UK. It is available by clicking here.
If you attend your appointment, you will be asked to give a detailed description of your symptoms and the problems they cause in various settings, such as at school or at work. You will also have to provide examples of times when your symptoms caused disruption and trouble in your daily life. For adults, this could include instances from childhood.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD and your psychiatrist is able to send paperwork to your GP to sign a shared-care arrangement. Your doctor is the one who prescribes all medications, and may recommend CBT therapy in order to treat your symptoms.
Once you have received your diagnosis you will be able to use it to gain access to assistance services, such as reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students University'Allowance, and if appropriate, make an application to the DVLA for exemption from driving restrictions. Depending on your needs your psychiatrist will be capable of referring you to a specialist psychologist who can offer additional support.
Right to choose
If you're a British citizen you have the option of choosing your healthcare provider. This is called the "Right to choose". The NHS offers a wide array of services, including ADHD assessment and assessment of ADHD, and you can choose the healthcare provider that best suits your preferences and needs. It is important to know that the quality of treatment provided by private healthcare providers can vary. It's important to choose healthcare providers who have a proven track record in providing efficient ADHD treatment and assessment.
Using your Right to Choose when you're undergoing an ADHD assessment will allow you to bypass long waiting times. On the NHS website you can find out more about this. You can also download and print the letter from ADHD UK to give your GP which explains the Right to Choose process. This will aid in getting your GP to sign off on the referral to a private ADHD assessment.
After you have selected your healthcare provider They will make an appointment for you. It is likely to be in-person, but it is also possible to schedule through video conferencing based on your circumstances. During the ADHD evaluation, your doctor will ask you to answer questions regarding your symptoms and past history and will also conduct additional tests as needed. This could include a memory test as well as a list of symptoms and questionnaires regarding how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Your psychiatrist will write a detailed report following your evaluation that will outline any diagnoses and recommend the next steps. If you are diagnosed with ADHD your psychiatrist will discuss medication as appropriate. They can also talk to you about your responsibilities (such as staying in contact with your GP) and other health issues you might have.
You can also self-refer with the need for a referral from your doctor to an individual ADHD assessor. This could be a faster method of diagnosis and could be beneficial if you're in the situation to pay for an ADHD assessment. However, a private healthcare provider might not be covered by your insurance, therefore it's crucial to confirm prior to scheduling an appointment.
Private Healthcare
If you think that your symptoms of ADHD are having a significant impact on your daily life, and you don't wish to wait for the NHS to assess your condition, it may be worth looking into private healthcare to get an assessment. Under the "Right to choose" procedure in England it is your legal right to choose which company to refer by your GP provided that they meet NHS requirements and are not more expensive than the NHS.
A private healthcare provider will conduct a thorough clinical interview, asking questions about your family and medical history as in addition to the severity of your symptoms. They will also ask you to answer self-report questions which assess the impact of your ADHD on your daily functioning and relationships. They will then use this information to rule out any other mental or physical conditions that may be causing the symptoms of ADHD. If they find you suffer from ADHD then a customized treatment plan will be developed for you. This may include medication or psychotherapy.
When you're trying to access medication through the NHS after receiving a private diagnosis it's important to note that a majority of GPs will refuse to sign a'shared care agreement' in which they will take over your management from your private doctor (even for ADHD tablets). They do not think they have the experience or training in ADHD medication to make informed decisions.
If you decide to take the private route It's worth keeping in mind that the cost of private assessments and treatment can differ widely across the UK. For adhd online assessment , the East of England was found to be the most expensive region for both children and adults ADHD assessments with follow-up consultations costing about 20 percent more than the national average. You can get a rough idea of the expected costs for your specific region by using our ADHD online cost calculator here. If you do not want to pay for private healthcare, there are other options.
Alternative Routes
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, so it manifests in children as impulsive or hyperactive behavior. However, in adults, it may disguise itself with irritability or restlessness, especially under pressure at work or home. This could lead to the root of the problem being hidden for a long time before being finally addressed by a psychiatrist.
It's a good idea consult your GP in the event that you, as an adult, you suspect you might have ADHD. Your GP will start with an initial assessment, gathering information about your symptoms and medical history. The doctor will then refer you to a specialist such as psychiatrist or psychologist.
You will be asked to describe your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at the time of your appointment. You will also be asked about any mental health issues that you've suffered from, as well as family history of mental illness. It is essential to disclose any comorbidities such as depression or anxiety to the person carrying out your assessment, since it can create confusion when diagnosing ADHD.
If your doctor concludes that you have ADHD, he or she will recommend a treatment plan that includes medication. The most popular stimulants are medications used to treat ADHD however it is possible that they'll suggest non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine Venlafaxine or bupropion hydrochloride. These medications are not addictive and can help you manage your ADHD symptoms.
The NHS provides a comprehensive pathway for adults who want to be given an ADHD diagnosis, though waiting times can be long. You can also choose private healthcare providers that offer shorter waiting periods. In fact, many private healthcare providers are endorsed by the NHS as part of their Right to Choose initiative.
Achieving an ADHD assessment and diagnosis in adulthood can have a profound impact on your life. It can assist you in focusing on your work and relationships instead of worrying about uncontrolled ADHD symptoms. It can also provide confidence and access to help that you didn't know existed. Onebright is here to help you through the entire process if you are an adult considering an ADHD diagnosis.