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How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS There are a lot of differences in the quality of adult ADHD assessment reports and assessments. This is not acceptable and must be addressed. Before your appointment you will be given pre-screening questions to complete. Your psychiatrist will then look them over. This will help to ensure that your consultation goes smoothly and without the need for lengthy appointments. Symptoms If you're struggling with difficulty concentrating and restlessness or you are having trouble to manage your emotions, then it might be worth visiting a doctor to discuss whether ADHD could be the reason. About 2.6m people in the UK suffer from ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way that the brain functions. It is important to remember that other conditions may cause problems. These need to be considered prior to when you are diagnosed with ADHD. Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms when you go for an ADHD assessment. They will also inquire how long you've been experiencing the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will then determine if you are in compliance with the criteria laid out 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 requesting opinions from those who are familiar with you. Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing ADHD and, therefore, it's likely they'll be able to tell fairly quickly whether you are eligible for diagnosis. If they're not sure they'll take an exhaustive psychiatric history as well as examine your other health issues. This will include examining other conditions that could coexist with ADHD and the conditions that could lead to the wrong diagnosis of ADHD, such as anxiety or depression. If you're having difficulty obtaining an ADHD assessment through the NHS there are private companies that can offer assessments through a video call. You can find the details of these providers on our Getting an ADHD Assessment page We recommend that you check out the waiting time before you decide on one. You can consult your GP about this, or contact them directly to inquire the current waiting times for an assessment. If this is important to your needs, make sure that they provide this service. Some providers have contracts with local NHS trusts to provide this, so it is important to check with your GP to see what arrangements are in your area. Diagnosis You can ask your GP for a referral if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. However, it's important to know that GPs are not able to diagnose ADHD by themselves. They are able to communicate your symptoms and ask for the referral to an expert in mental health. If you are scheduled for an evaluation, you'll be able to have a consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. The doctor will ask you questions about your life and medical history, in addition to asking questions about how your ADHD symptoms impact your daily life. They might also ask you to complete questionnaires and rating scales. The process of assessment is based upon the guidelines established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Your doctor will examine your current symptoms as well as how they affected you as a child. They will also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. They will use these criteria to determine whether or not you have ADHD. Finding out that you have ADHD can be a challenge for many. This can be because of the stigma associated with the condition, as well as a lack of awareness amongst healthcare professionals. Additionally, those belonging to certain groups, like people of color, a woman at birth or non-native English speakers, can be discriminated against when seeking help for their symptoms. There is no test that can prove ADHD. When ADHD is the cause there are many who are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This can cause issues in both personal and professional relationships as well as daily functioning. The NHS offers a Right to Choose Service for adult ADHD Assessments. This means that if you're not satisfied with the wait time at your local NHS service you can decide to see another provider through the Right to Choose scheme. We have compiled a list of providers who offer ADHD assessments under this scheme. To find out about waiting times, you should get in touch with the providers. Treatment Many treatment options are available to people suffering from ADHD. These include medication, psychosocial support or both. The best choice will be contingent on the individual's particular requirements and circumstances. While medication can help alleviate symptoms and help improve functioning, psychosocial support can help with co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression. A person with ADHD can also benefit from making reasonable adjustments to their environment, such as changing seating arrangements or reducing distracting factors in the workplace or education settings. This can be accomplished with the guidance of a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. In addition to testing for ADHD, the doctor will also examine whether there are any comorbid mental health issues, which often accompany or mimic ADHD in adults. This will be done by reviewing symptoms checklists and soliciting feedback from those who know the person like family members and close friends. If a specialist believes a person meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they will go over the treatment options. The most common treatments are stimulants that increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. They are available as tablets or injections and can have both short and long-term effects. Other medications are prescribed to control negative side effects, including eating disorders and sleep problems, which are sometimes associated with ADHD. Certain people may benefit from psychosocial therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness, which can help to manage depression or anxiety. GPs should be aware of any concerns regarding ADHD seriously and are legally obliged to refer patients for an assessment and treatment whenever required. According to the BBC the backlog of ADHD assessments could take up to eight years to be cleared. This is a long time to wait for a service that is essential. Many people prefer to go the private assessment route because they are able to self-refer and have direct access to specialists. Support Visit your GP to obtain an ADHD evaluation on the NHS. Your concerns should be taken seriously, and they should inquire why you think you have ADHD. You might be asked to take an assessment test to determine if you're eligible to be seen. After your GP accepts to refer you, you'll be added to the NHS waiting lists. The average wait time for an NHS adult ADHD assessment in England is two years. great post to read for this service is the reason many areas are struggling with keeping up. If you're worried about how long you'll have to wait, it may be helpful to write an email to your GP to explain why you require an assessment. This will allow them be aware of the significance of the test and ensure that your request is acted on. Here is an example of an email from ADHD UK. If you've been referred to a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist will schedule an assessment. During the examination they'll discuss your symptoms and review your mental health history to rule out other conditions that could cause your symptoms related to ADHD. They will also discuss your lifestyle, and how ADHD affects your daily life. The assessment could be between 45 to 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or by video calls. You may be qualified for medication on the NHS when your GP refers to you for an NHS ADHD Assessment. However, this will only be possible if you're able to get an assessment through the Right to Choose pathway. You can self-refer if you don't want to wait around for a GP to refer you or in the event that you don't have one. You can also seek help from your local mental trust. You can find out which NHS mental health trusts in your region offer ADHD assessments by browsing their websites (except for those that do not offer the service) or by contacting them.