How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It can be difficult to obtain an ADHD assessment However, it is crucial to follow the right steps. Talk to your GP about the reasons you think you have ADHD. Your GP should treat you with respect and request that you fill out an instrument for screening.
If you prefer, you can opt to self-refer to a private health provider for an ADHD assessment. This option is much quicker than using the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
In the UK there is an increasing awareness of ADHD. However, certain biases can make it difficult to diagnose people. Some of these biases can include the belief that ADHD is only a problem that affects boys and people of certain backgrounds, and those who do not fit the stereotype.
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 want to pursue a Right to Choose referral for medication via the NHS. The Psychiatry UK website has a helpful guide on this here.
A typical ADHD evaluation consists of conversations with a psychiatrist about your symptoms as well as questionnaires. adhd assessments might also be asked to provide details about your family background and the way your symptoms affect you. They will also determine whether you have any other health issues.
2. Ask your GP to refer you
In England doctors can refer adults suffering from ADHD to psychiatrists via the "Right to Choose" pathway. This allows you to access the NHS quicker and reduce the time it takes to wait.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and have a candid and frank discussion with you about the reasons why you believe you might have ADHD. They should also discuss any other mental health issues that are impacting your life.
If they decide to refer you for an NHS assessment, your GP should follow NICE guidelines. These include an interview and questionnaires that assess your symptoms as well as your family history and input from others who know you well. A diagnosis can aid you in getting the support you need, including treatment with medication and CBT. Medications for ADHD are stimulants and should only be prescribed by a qualified clinician. After you have received a private diagnosis from your physician they will request your GP to prescribe under the terms of a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP for a referral to a Psychiatrist
ADHD can be a crippling condition. It can be difficult to keep up with your schoolwork at work, or in relationships. It can also impact your health and lead to other mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
The NHS provides specialized ADHD assessment using a process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right that you enjoy as a citizen of England.
At your assessment you'll see a psychiatrist who will ask about your symptoms and family history. It can help to bring records like performance evaluations or copies from previous results of psychological tests. It is also possible to talk to your parents or other individuals who know you well. They will then decide whether you're diagnosed with ADHD. They may recommend that you think about the possibility of medication. They will also discuss ongoing care, which might include private treatment or discharge back to your GP.
4. Ask your doctor to refer you to the Neurodevelopmental Services
It can be a long process to obtain an ADHD assessment, particularly when you live in an area where there are not many providers. The NHS psychiatrist who conducts the assessment will talk with you about how your symptoms affect you and use questionnaires to evaluate the severity of your symptoms. They may ask you to describe your behaviour or seek out someone who knows you well such as your spouse, sibling, or parents if you are an adult. This could provide an insight into your personality that isn't available in questionnaires.
Once you've had your diagnosis, the specialist will provide a report to your GP. If your GP accepts a 'Shared care agreement', they'll arrange for you begin treatment via the NHS. This includes prescription medications and CBT therapy. It can take a while as the NHS is under pressure, and resources are limited.
5. Ask your GP to refer you to an a Child Psychiatrist
A professional ADHD assessment can provide big relief. It can help you realize that your child's or your symptoms are not due to personal shortcomings, but a neurological disorder. This can reduce feelings of guilt, shame and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will gather information from a questionnaire or through interviews with your teachers, family members, and other people who know you well. The psychiatrist will then write a report containing their findings and possible diagnoses. You will receive a treatment plan that may include CBT or medication.
Adults in England are also able to be referred to a private clinic by their GP under the Right To Choose scheme. This is less expensive and faster than waiting for an NHS referral. You will have to pay for the examination.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service.
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist in the event that you or your child believes they may have ADHD. A clinical diagnosis can help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It can be helpful for determining if medication is beneficial.
The NHS provides guidelines for how to evaluate and diagnose ADHD. The process consists of an interview with a psychiatrist exam, a review and questionnaires of your medical and development background. Interviews can be conducted with family members and other people who know you well.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings (such as home, school, and work) and cause impairment. The behaviour cannot be better explained by a different mental health issue like depression or anxiety. The diagnosis is typically made by psychiatrists. A private assessment involves the same process. However, the doctor will also check for the presence of comorbidities.
7. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Psychiatrist
If you want to try medications, then you'll require a consultation with a psychiatrist to get an assessment and a diagnosis. You will be asked to complete an inventory of ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also determine whether your symptoms have been present ever since you were a child.
Your doctor should be able to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they are of the opinion that you require an ADHD assessment. Adults in England are now able to choose their own mental healthcare provider, and can choose private assessments.
A private ADHD assessment consists of a psychotherapy interview conducted by psychiatrist specialists as well as questionnaires, such as symptom checklists and behavior rating scales. Family members or others who know you well could be requested as well.
8. Ask your GP for a referral to a Child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you believe that your child suffers from ADHD, or if you have concerns about their behaviour, it's important to speak to your GP. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and refer you for an assessment with the NHS.
The NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland follows NICE guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. In Scotland they adhere to Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidelines.
The NHS in England has a system called 'Right to Choose' which means that you have the legal right to select the place where you receive your care and evaluations. assessed for adhd can be difficult to find organizations that meet the requirements. Many patients prefer having their tests or treatments done privately. If you do, your clinician will need to provide your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign the signing of a Shared Care Agreement. You will be paying for your medication privately, and the NHS will cover CBT.
9. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child psychiatrist
In the NHS it could take some time to receive an assessment. This is because NHS mental health clinicians are under a lot of pressure and resources are scarce. It can be a challenge to navigate through the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment is much faster. It will include a clinical interview with a specialist for adult ADHD. This will include your medical history, developmental landmarks, family history, and the current symptoms. Self-report questionnaires can also be used to determine the extent of your symptoms and their impact on daily activities. Input from people who know you well, for example your spouse, sibling or a close friend, can be gathered to provide additional information.
It's worth mentioning that people in England have the legal right to choose the provider they use for NHS assessments via the 'Right of Choice route. This can cut down on waiting times.
10. Ask your GP for the referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
The process of getting an NHS diagnosis is relatively simple. You'll have to ask your GP for the referral to an ADHD specialist, and then wait for an evaluation.
You'll be able to have a consultation with a specialist, and they'll ask you about your medical background as well as developmental milestones, family history, and specific symptoms you're experiencing. You may also be asked to complete symptoms checklists and request feedback from people who know you well.
If your GP isn't willing to recommend you for an assessment you should consider seeking a new GP particularly when you are planning to apply for a Shared Care Agreement with the NHS to receive medication later on down the road. There are some good suggestions on how to do this on the Psychiatry UK website. You can also try contacting private assessment providers directly.