How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It can be a challenge to get an ADHD assessment, but it is important to follow the correct steps. Talk to your GP about the reasons you think you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP should treat you with seriousness and insist to fill in an instrument for screening.
Alternatively, you can choose to refer yourself to a private healthcare provider for an ADHD assessment. This route can be much faster than the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD in the UK, but there are still some biases that make it difficult for people to be diagnosed. These include the notion that ADHD only affects males, those from certain backgrounds, or who don't fit the stereotype of someone who has ADHD.
If your GP does not want to recommend you for an examination, it's worth taking a look at a different one, especially if you intend to take advantage of the Right to Choose referral for medication via the NHS. The Psychiatry UK website has a helpful guide on this here.
A typical ADHD assessment consists of a series of meetings with a psychiatrist regarding your symptoms as well as questionnaires. You may be asked to provide details about your family background and how your symptoms impact your life. They may also inquire whether you have any other health issues.
2. Request your GP for a referral
In England, GPs can refer adults with ADHD to a psychiatrist via the 'Right of Choice process. This allows you to access the NHS faster and can reduce the time it takes to wait.
Your GP should take your concerns seriously and have an open and honest discussion with you about the reasons why you believe you might be suffering from ADHD. They should also discuss other mental health issues that could be affecting your life.
If your GP decides to refer you to the NHS for an assessment, they should follow NICE guidelines. These include an interview and questionnaires that assess your symptoms as well as your family history and feedback from people who know you well. A diagnosis will help to receive the support you need including medication and CBT. ADHD medications are stimulants that must be prescribed by specialists. Once you receive a private diagnosis from your doctor, they will ask your GP to prescribe under a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP for the referral to a Psychiatrist
ADHD can be a debilitating condition. It can make it hard to keep up with school, work or relationships. It can also impact your health and lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
The NHS offers specialist ADHD assessments through the process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right that you have in England.
You'll be accompanied by a psychiatrist at your appointment who will inquire you about your symptoms as well as your family history. Bring documentation such as performance evaluations and copies of previous psychological tests. They may also want to talk to your parents or other family members who know you well. Then they will decide whether you are diagnosed with ADHD. They may recommend you consider treatment options. They may also suggest ongoing care, which could include private treatment or a discharge back to your GP.
4. Ask your doctor to refer you to the Neurodevelopmental Services.
The process of getting an ADHD assessment can take a long time especially if you reside in a location that has a limited number of providers. The NHS psychiatrist who conducts the assessment will talk with you about how your problems affect you and use questionnaires to evaluate the severity of your symptoms. They may also ask people in your life who know you well (spouse siblings, parents or sibling for adults) to describe your behaviours. This could provide an insight into your personality that is not available through questionnaires.
Once you've had your diagnosis, the specialist will provide a report your GP. If your doctor accepts an agreement called a Shared Care Agreement, they'll arrange for you begin treatment via the NHS. This will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. This could take some time due to the fact that the NHS is under tremendous pressure and has limited resources.
5. Ask your GP for a referral to a child psychiatrist
A professional ADHD assessment can provide big relief. It will help you realize that your or your child's symptoms are due to an illness that affects the brain, not due to a personal flaw and reduce the feelings of guilt, shame and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will collect information from a questionnaire or interviews with your teachers, family members and other individuals who know you well. They will then put together the results of their investigation and any possible diagnosis. You will be given the treatment plan which could include medication or CBT.
Adults in England can also be directed to a private clinic by their GP under the Right To Choose scheme. great post to read is quicker and cheaper than waiting for an appointment with the NHS. You'll need to pay for the assessment.
6. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD It's worth asking your GP to refer you for an assessment. A diagnosis from a clinical perspective can assist you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA. It can be helpful for determining if medication is beneficial.
The NHS has guidelines to help diagnose ADHD. The process includes an interview with a psychiatrist assessment, a review and a questionnaire of your medical and development history. Interviews may be conducted with family members and others who are familiar with you.
Adults and children have to show symptoms in more than one situations, such as school or at home and the symptoms lead to impairment. The behavior can't be explained by a mental health problem like depression or anxiety. A psychiatrist is typically the person who makes the diagnosis. A private evaluation will follow the same process, however the specialist will also look for any comorbid conditions.
7. Ask your GP to refer you to an Psychiatrist for Children.
You'll need to talk to a psychiatrist to get an assessment and diagnosis in case you decide to take treatment. You will be asked to fill out the checklist of ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also determine if your symptoms have been present since you were a child.
If your GP agrees that you require ADHD assessment, they may refer you to NHS Psychiatrist services. Adults in England are now able to choose their own mental healthcare provider, and can choose private assessments.
A private ADHD assessment includes a psychotherapy interview with a specialist psychiatrist and questionnaires, such as symptom checklists and behaviour rating scales. Input from family members or anyone else who knows you well may be requested as well.
8. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service.
It's important that you speak to your GP when you suspect that your child may be suffering from ADHD or if you are concerned about their behavior. Your GP is likely to be concerned about your concerns and recommend you to the NHS to conduct an assessment.
The NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland follows NICE guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. In Scotland, they follow Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidelines.
The NHS in England also has an option called 'Right To Choose This means that you have the legal right to choose the place you receive your treatment and assessments. However, it can be difficult to find organizations that are eligible for this. Many patients prefer having their examinations or treatments performed privately. If you do then, your doctor will need to write to your GP with paperwork for a Shared Care Agreement. You will pay for your medication on your own, whereas the NHS should provide CBT.
9. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child psychiatrist
In the NHS it could take a while to get an assessment. This is because NHS mental health clinicians are under lots of pressure and resources are scarce. Additionally it can be difficult to navigate the complexities of the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment is much faster. It will include a medical interview with a specialist for adult ADHD. This will include your medical history and developmental milestones, your family history, as well as your current symptoms. Self-reporting questionnaires are used to gather additional information about your symptoms, as well as their impact on your daily life. For additional insight, you may be asked to give input from those who know you, such as your spouse, sibling, or friend.
It is important to know that in England, people have the legal right of choosing their provider of NHS assessments through the "Right to Choose" pathway. This can cut down on wait times.
10. Ask your GP for a referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
The process to get a NHS diagnosis is relatively easy. You'll need to ask your GP to refer you to an ADHD specialist and wait for an assessment.
You'll be in a clinical interview with the doctor, and they'll ask you about your medical background and developmental milestones, your family history, as well as the specific symptoms you're experiencing. You may be asked to complete symptom checklists or ask for feedback from those who are familiar with you.
If your GP does not recommend an evaluation, it is recommended to find a different GP. This is particularly true if you intend to apply for a Shared-Care Agreement with the NHS in the near future to receive medication. There are some useful guidelines on how to go about this on the Psychiatry UK website. You can also contact private assessment providers directly.