How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
During an NHS evaluation medical professionals will ask you questions about your symptoms and their impact on your life. You'll also be asked questions about your family history and general health.
You can also get an ADHD assessment privately. Some private healthcare providers offer this service via the Right to Choose pathway.
Your GP
If you suspect that you or someone you know has ADHD, your first port of call is usually to go and talk to your GP. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and 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, including medication (if necessary) and therapy. During this process, your psychiatrist will also rule out other medical and psychological issues that could cause similar symptoms. They will gather information from you and others like family members, teachers or even your friends. You may be asked to fill out various forms or questionnaires, for instance the World Health Organization's ASRS v1 form. It is recommended to prepare this form in advance to ensure you have it to your appointment.
Your doctor has a legal obligation to fund an ADHD assessment under Right To Choose, but they might not be knowledgeable about the process. If this is the case, we suggest that you print off and hand to your GP our support letter from ADHD UK. It is available by clicking here.
When you go to your appointment, you will be asked to give a detailed description of your symptoms and the problems they are causing in different situations, like at work or at school. You will be asked to list examples of how your symptoms led you to experience problems and disruptions in your life. This includes childhood events for adults.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD and your psychiatrist is able to send paperwork to your GP for a shared-care contract. Your GP is responsible for prescribing all medications, and may recommend CBT therapy to manage your symptoms.
You can use your diagnosis to apply for support services, such as Disabled Student's Allowance or reasonable adjustments at university. If you need to you could also apply to the DVLA to be exempted from any restrictions on driving. Your doctor may also recommend you to a psychologist who will provide additional support, depending on your requirements.
Right to Pick
If you're a citizen of the United Kingdom, you have the right to choose the person you visit as a healthcare provider. online adhd assessment uk is referred to as "Right to Choose." The NHS provides many services such as ADHD evaluations and you can select the healthcare provider that best suits your preferences and needs. It's crucial to be aware that the quality of the treatment provided by private healthcare providers could differ. It's important to choose healthcare providers with demonstrated track records of providing effective ADHD treatment and assessment.
You can avoid long waiting periods by using your Right to choose when you get an ADHD assessment. On the NHS website you can read more about this. You can also download and print a letter from ADHD UK to give your GP explaining the Right to Choose process. This will help your GP to approve your referral to a private ADHD assessor.
Once you have chosen your health care provider, they will book an appointment for you. Most likely, it will be in-person, but it is also possible to schedule via video conferencing depending on your specific circumstances. During the ADHD assessment your psychiatrist might ask you questions about your symptoms, history and conduct tests, if required. This could include a memory test and a list of symptoms, and questionnaires about how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Your psychiatrist will write a detailed report following your examination that will outline any diagnoses and recommend the next steps. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, the psychiatrist will review the appropriate medications. They can also talk to you about your obligations (such as staying in contact with your GP) and other health issues you may have.
Alternatively, you can self-refer to a private ADHD assessor without any referral from your GP. This is a simpler method to identify ADHD in the event that you have the funds to pay for an assessment by a professional. However it is possible that a private health provider might not be covered by your insurance, so make sure to confirm that prior to making an appointment.
Private Healthcare
If you believe that your ADHD symptoms are affecting your daily life and you do not want to wait for a time to have your condition evaluated by the NHS, you may wish to seek out private healthcare for an assessment. The good news is that under the 'Right to Choose path in England you are legally entitled to choose which healthcare provider to be referred to by your GP - so long as they meet NHS criteria and are not more costly than the NHS is.
A private health care provider will conduct an in-depth clinical interview, asking you questions about your medical and family background as in addition to the severity of your symptoms. They will also require you to answer self-report questions to assess the effect of your ADHD on your daily life and relationships. This information will be used to rule out other mental or physical conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will create an individual treatment plan specifically for you that may include psychotherapy and medication.
It's important to know that when you're seeking medication through the NHS following a private diagnosis, many GPs won't sign a'shared-care agreement which permits them to take over your treatment from your private physician. This is true even for ADHD tablets. They don't think they have the experience or training in ADHD medication to make informed decisions.
If you decide to go down the private option it's important to keep in mind that the costs of private treatment and assessments can differ widely across the UK. The East of England, for example, was found to be the most costly location for both adult ADHD assessments and child ADHD consultations. Follow-up consultations were approximately 20% more expensive than the national median. Our ADHD cost calculator can give you an idea of what to expect in your local area. However, if you decide that the expense of private healthcare isn't a viable option for you, there are alternatives to obtaining an adhd assessment.
Alternative Routes
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and it manifests in children as hyperactive or impulsive behavior. However, in adults, it may disguise its symptoms by causing irritability or even restlessness especially when under stress at home or at work. This could lead to an underlying problem being masked for years before it is finally addressed by a psychiatrist.
It's a good idea see your GP if you are an adult and you suspect that you may have ADHD. Your doctor will begin with an initial assessment taking notes on your symptoms as well as your medical background. The doctor will then refer you on to a specialist, such as psychiatrist or psychologist.
You will be asked to describe your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life when you come to your appointment. You will be asked about any mental health issues you've had to deal with in the past, as well as your family's history of mental illness. It's important to disclose any other comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety to the person carrying out your assessment, as this could cause confusion when determining ADHD.
If your doctor determines that you do have ADHD If they find that you do, they will suggest a treatment program that will usually include medications. Stimulants are the most common drugs used to treat ADHD, but it's also possible that they will recommend non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine, Venlafaxine or bupropion hydrochloride. These medications aren't addictive and can help manage your ADHD symptoms.
The NHS offers a broad range of services for adults looking to receive an ADHD diagnosis, however waiting times can be lengthy. Alternatively, you can opt for private healthcare providers that offer shorter wait periods. Many private providers have been approved by NHS as part their Right to Choose initiative.
The process of obtaining an ADHD assessment and diagnosis in adulthood can have life-changing consequences. It can assist you in focusing on your career and relationships rather than worrying about unmanaged ADHD symptoms. It can also give you confidence and access to help that you didn't know existed. Onebright is here to help you through the entire process if you are a person who is considering an ADHD diagnosis.