How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
During a NHS assessment, medical professionals ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. You'll also be asked about your family background and general health.
You can also obtain an ADHD evaluation privately. Certain private healthcare providers offer the Right to Choose pathway to offer this service.
Your GP
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from ADHD, your first port of call is usually to go and speak to your GP. Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and ask you to clarify your symptoms. They will then send you to an ADHD clinic for an assessment.
The clinic will assess your symptoms and formulate a treatment plan that includes medication (if required) and therapy. Your psychiatrist will also eliminate other psychological and medical issues that can trigger similar symptoms. They will gather information from you and other, such as family members, teachers or even your friends. You will be required to fill in a variety of questionnaires and forms. For instance the ASRS version 1 from the World Health Organisation. Making this form ahead of time will help you keep track of it and bring it to your appointment.
Your GP is legally obligation to pay for an ADHD assessment under Right To Choose, but they may not be familiar with the process. If this is the case, we suggest that you print off and hand to your GP our support letter from ADHD UK. You can download it here.
If you attend your appointment, you will be asked to provide an in-depth description of your symptoms and what they can cause in different settings, such as at work or at school. You will be asked to provide instances of when your symptoms have caused you to face problems or interruptions in your life. This will include childhood incidents for adults.
If you are diagnosed with you suffer from ADHD, your psychiatrist will send a letter to your GP with a form for a shared care agreement. Your GP is responsible for prescribing all medications and may also suggest CBT therapy in order to treat your symptoms.
You can make use of your diagnosis to request support services, like Disabled Student's Aid or reasonable adjustments at the university. If necessary you could also apply to the DVLA to be exempted from driving restrictions. Your doctor may also refer you to a psychologist who will offer additional assistance, based on your requirements.
Right to Pick
If you're a citizen of the United Kingdom, you have the right to choose who you go to for a healthcare professional. This is called the "Right to Choose". The NHS provides a variety of services including ADHD assessment, and you can select the healthcare provider that best suits your preferences and needs. It's important to note that the quality and level of care offered by private healthcare providers will differ. It's important to choose healthcare providers with a proven track record in providing efficient ADHD treatment and assessment.
You can avoid long waiting periods by exercising your right to choose when you get an ADHD assessment. You can find out more information on this right here on the NHS website. You can also print and download an email from ADHD UK to explain the Right to Choose to your GP. This will help you get your GP to accept the referral to a private ADHD assessment.
After you have selected your healthcare provider, they will book an appointment for you. Most likely, it will be in-person, but it could also be conducted via video conferencing, depending on your circumstances. During the ADHD evaluation, your psychiatrist may ask you questions regarding your symptoms, history, and conduct other tests if needed. This might include an assessment of memory as well as a checklist of symptoms, and questionnaires regarding how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Your doctor will write a thorough report after your assessment which will detail any diagnoses and recommend the next steps. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your psychiatrist will talk about medication when appropriate. They can also talk with you about your obligations (such as staying in contact with your GP) and other health issues you might have.
You can also self-refer with an appointment from your GP to an individual ADHD assessor. This could be a faster route to diagnosis and may be beneficial if you're a situation to pay for an ADHD assessment. However the private healthcare provider may not be covered by your insurance, therefore it's crucial to confirm that prior to making 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 determine the severity of your condition, it might be worth looking into private healthcare to get an assessment. Under the "Right to choose" process in England you have the legal right to decide which healthcare provider to refer to your GP – as long as they satisfy NHS requirements and are not more expensive than the NHS.
A private healthcare professional will conduct a thorough clinical interview to inquire about your medical background, family history and the severity of your symptoms. They will also require you to complete self-report questionnaires that assess the impact of your ADHD on your daily life and relationships. This information is used to rule out other psychological or medical conditions which could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. If they conclude that you have ADHD, they will write an individual treatment plan for you that could include psychotherapy and medication.
When you're trying to access medication through the NHS after receiving a diagnosis from a private doctor, it's important to note that most GPs will not sign something called a 'shared care agreement' where they will take over your management from your private doctor (even for ADHD tablets). This is because they don't believe they have the education or expertise in ADHD medication to to make informed decisions about what is best for you.
If you decide to go down the private route It's worth keeping in mind that the cost of private treatment and assessments aren't the same across the UK. The East of England, for instance, was found out to be the most expensive place for both adult ADHD assessments and child ADHD consultations. Follow-up consultations were approximately 20 percent more expensive than national median. You can get an idea of the likely costs for your particular area by using our ADHD cost calculator online here. If you decide that the cost of private healthcare isn't feasible for you, there are alternatives to obtaining an adhd assessment.
Alternative Routes
ADHD is an neurodevelopmental disorder. As such, it manifests in children as impulsive or hyperactive behavior. However, for adults, it can mask itself with irritability or restlessness particularly when under pressure at work or home. This can result in an underlying problem being masked for a long time before being finally addressed by a psychiatrist.
For this reason, it's a good idea to visit your GP in the event that you think you might have ADHD as an adult. Your doctor will begin by conducting an initial evaluation, gathering information on your symptoms as well as your medical background. adhd online assessment will then refer you to a specialist like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
When you arrive at your appointment, you will be asked about the underlying causes of your ADHD symptoms, including how they affect your life. You will also be asked about any mental health issues you've had to deal with and your family history of mental illness. It's important to disclose any comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression, to the person conducting the assessment, as it can create confusion when diagnosing ADHD.
If your psychiatrist determines that you do suffer from ADHD, they will then suggest a treatment program which may include medication. Stimulants, like Venlafaxine are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat ADHD. However, they may also recommend non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or bupropion. These medications are not addictive and can help manage your ADHD symptoms.
The NHS offers a wide range of options for adults who want to receive an ADHD diagnosis, even though waiting times can be lengthy. You can also select private healthcare providers that provide shorter waiting periods. In fact, a lot of private providers are licensed by the NHS as part of their Right to Choose initiative.
A diagnosis and evaluation of ADHD as an adult can transform your life. For instance, it can allow you to focus on your career goals and relationships, rather than struggling with unmanaged ADHD symptoms. It also provides clarity and access to additional assistance that you didn't know was available. If you're an adult who is contemplating the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis, Onebright can support you at every step of the process.