How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It isn't easy to get an ADHD assessment, but it is important to follow the right steps. Talk to your GP about why you believe you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP should take you seriously and request you to fill out an assessment tool.
You can also opt to refer yourself to a private health provider for an ADHD assessment. This option is much more efficient than the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD in the UK however there are still biases that can make it harder for people to get diagnosed. This could include the belief that ADHD only affects boys, people from certain backgrounds, or who don't conform to the stereotype of someone who has ADHD.
If your GP refuses to recommend you for an assessment, you should taking a look at a different one, especially if you intend to take advantage of the Right to Choose referral for medication through the NHS. Here is a guide from Psychiatry UK that can help you.
A typical ADHD assessment involves a series meetings with a psychiatrist regarding your symptoms and questionnaires. You might be asked to provide details about your family background and how your symptoms impact your life. They will also determine if you are suffering from any other health issues.
2. Request your GP for a referral
In England, GPs can refer adults with ADHD to a psychiatrist through the 'Right to Choose process. This will allow you to access the NHS quicker and decrease waiting times.
Your GP should take your concerns seriously and have an open and honest discussion about the reasons you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They should also discuss any other mental health issues that may be impacting your life.
If they decide to refer you to an NHS assessment, your GP should follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires and input from those who know you best. A diagnosis can help provide you with the help you require, which includes medication and CBT. Medications for ADHD are stimulants that can only be prescribed by a qualified physician. Once you receive a private diagnosis from your physician and they ask your GP to prescribe under the terms of a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist
ADHD can be a crippling condition. It can be difficult to keep up in school, at work or with relationships. It can also affect your health and trigger various mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
The NHS offers specialized ADHD assessments via an assessment process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right that you have as an English citizen.
You'll be accompanied by a psychiatrist at your assessment who will ask you questions about your symptoms and your family history. It can help to bring records like performance evaluations or copies from previous results of psychological tests. They may also want to speak with your parents or other people who know you well. They will then decide whether you are diagnosed with ADHD. They may suggest that you think about medication options. They may also suggest ongoing care, which may include private treatment or a discharge back to your GP.
4. Request your doctor to refer you to a Neurodevelopmental Service
The process of obtaining an ADHD assessment can take a long time, especially if you live in a place where there aren't many providers. The NHS psychiatrist will ask you questions to assess the severity of your symptoms and speak to you about your problems. They might ask you to describe your behaviour or ask someone who knows you well, such as your spouse, sibling, or your parents if you're an adult. This can provide the kind of personal insight that cannot be found from questionnaires.
After you've received your diagnosis, the doctor will provide a report your GP. If your GP accepts the 'Shared Care Agreement' and they'll help you start treatment through the NHS. This will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. It can take a while and the NHS is under pressure, and resources are scarce.
5. Ask your GP for a referral to a child psychiatrist
A professional ADHD evaluation can be a great relief. It can help you realize that your child's or your symptoms are not caused by an individual failure, but a neurological disorder. This can reduce feelings of shame, guilt and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will gather information from a questionnaire or an interview with your family members teachers, family members, and others who know you very well. They will then put together a report of their findings and any potential diagnosis. You will then be provided with the treatment plan which could include CBT or medications.
If you are an adult in England, you can also decide to be referred by your GP through the Right To Choose scheme to an individual clinic. This can be quicker and less expensive than waiting for an appointment from the NHS. However, you'll be paying for the examination yourself.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service.
If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD It's worth asking your GP to refer you to an assessment. A diagnosis from a clinical perspective will allow you to access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It can also be useful in determining whether medication will be beneficial.
The NHS has guidelines to help diagnose ADHD. The process involves an interview with psychiatrists, a review of medical and developmental history as well as questionnaires. Interviews may also be conducted with family members or others who know you well.
The symptoms should be present in at least two settings (such as home, school and at work) and result in impairment. The behaviour cannot be better explained by a different mental health problem such as anxiety or depression. The diagnosis is typically made by a psychiatrist. A private assessment involves the same process. However, the specialist will also look for comorbidities.
7. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child psychiatrist
If you want to try medications, then you'll have to consult a psychiatrist to get an assessment and a diagnosis. You will be asked to complete an inventory of ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also determine if your symptoms have been present since the time you were a child.
Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they believe you require an ADHD assessment. Adults in England can now choose their own mental health provider, and opt for private assessments.
A private ADHD assessment consists of a psychotherapy interview with psychiatrist specialists as well as questionnaires including symptom checklists and scales for rating behavior. You could also be asked to give input from relatives or others who know you well.
8. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you believe that your child is suffering from ADHD, or if you have concerns about their behaviour, it's important to speak to your GP. Your GP is likely to be concerned about your concerns and recommend you to the NHS for an assessment.
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 known as 'Right to Choose,' which means that you have the legal right to select which treatment and evaluations. However, it can be difficult to find organizations that are eligible for this. Many patients prefer to receive their assessments and treatment privately instead. If you choose this option your doctor will write to your GP and provide paperwork to sign a Shared-Care Contract. This means that you pay for your medication privately, but the NHS will cover CBT therapy.
9. Ask explanation for the referral to a child psychiatrist
In the NHS, it can take a long time to receive an assessment. This is due to the fact that NHS mental health clinicians are under lots of pressure and resources are limited. In addition it can be difficult to navigate the complexity of the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment can be completed more quickly. This will include a medical assessment with an adult ADHD specialist. This will cover your medical history and developmental milestones, your family history, and current symptoms. Self-reporting questionnaires will be used to collect additional data regarding your symptoms, including their impact on your daily functioning. Input from people who know you well, like your spouse, sibling or friend, may also be gathered for additional insights.
It is important to remember that in England, people have the legal right to choose their preferred provider for NHS assessments through the "Right to Choose" route. This can reduce the length of wait.
10. Ask your GP for the referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
The process of getting an NHS diagnosis is relatively simple. You'll need to request your GP to refer you to an ADHD specialist and then wait for the test.
You will be scheduled for a clinical consultation with an expert. They will ask you about your medical background along with developmental milestones, family history as in addition to the symptoms you are experiencing. You may be asked to complete symptom checklists or ask for feedback from people who know you.
If your GP isn't willing to make an appointment for you to be assessed, it's worth seeking an alternative GP, especially in the event that you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement with the NHS for medication down the road. There are some useful guidelines on how to go about this on the Psychiatry UK website. You can also make contact with private assessment providers directly.