How to Get an ADHD Assessment on the NHS
During an NHS assessment medical professionals will ask you questions about your health issues and how they impact your life. You'll be asked questions regarding your family history, general health and your symptoms.
You can also get an ADHD evaluation privately. Certain private healthcare providers provide this service through the Right to Choose pathway.
Your GP
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. Your GP will be very attentive to your concerns and will ask you to explain your symptoms. They will then send you to an ADHD clinic for assessment.
The clinic will assess and manage your symptoms, which may include treatment and medication if required. During this process your psychiatrist will also identify any other medical or psychological conditions that can cause similar symptoms. They will collect information from you and others, such as teachers, family members 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. It is a good idea to prepare it in advance to ensure you bring it to your appointment.
Your GP is legally required to pay for an ADHD assessment under Right To Choose - but they are not necessarily familiar with the process and may have difficulty making this happen. If this is the case, we recommend that you print and give to your GP our support letter from ADHD UK. You can download it here.
If you attend your assessment, you will be asked to provide an extensive description of your symptoms and the problems they are causing in different environments, such as school or work. You will also be required to give examples of times when your symptoms have caused problems and disruption in your daily life. This will include childhood incidents for adults.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD your psychiatrist will submit paperwork to your GP to sign a shared-care arrangement. Your GP will then be responsible for prescribing any medication you require. He or she may also suggest CBT therapy to aid in managing your symptoms.
After adhd assessment cost have received your diagnosis, you will be able to use it to access assistance services, such as reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students allowance at the university, and if appropriate you should submit a request to the DVLA for exemption from driving restrictions. Depending on your needs your psychiatrist will be capable of referring you to an expert psychologist who will advise you on additional support.
Right to choose
If you're a British citizen, you can choose your healthcare provider. This is referred to as "Right to Choose." The NHS offers many services such as ADHD evaluations and you can select the healthcare provider that best suits your needs and preferences. It is important to remember that the quality and care provided by private healthcare providers will differ. This is the reason it's essential to research and choose healthcare providers who have experience in providing quality ADHD assessment and treatment.
Making use of your Right to Choice when you're getting an ADHD assessment will help you bypass long waiting times. On the NHS website you can read more about this. You can also download and print the letter from ADHD UK to explain the Right to Choose to your GP. This will aid in getting your GP to sign off on the referral to a private ADHD assessment.
Once you've selected your doctor they will schedule an appointment for you. It will most likely be in person, however it is also possible to schedule through video conferencing based on your circumstances. During the ADHD evaluation, your psychiatrist will ask you to answer questions about your symptoms and history and will also conduct additional tests as required. This might include a memory test and a symptom checklist and questionnaires regarding how your symptoms impact your daily life.
After your assessment your psychiatrist will then prepare a report to describe any diagnosis and recommend the next steps. If you're diagnosed with ADHD your psychiatrist will talk about medication if appropriate. They may also speak with you about your responsibilities (such as keeping in touch with your GP) and other health issues that you may have.
You can also self-refer with the need for a referral from your doctor to an individual ADHD assessor. This can be an easier method of diagnosing ADHD when you have the money to cover a professional assessment. However, a private healthcare provider might not be covered by your insurance plan, so make sure to confirm that prior to making an appointment.
Private Healthcare
If you think your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life and you do not want to wait to have your condition assessed by the NHS or other healthcare providers, you might want to contact private healthcare for an assessment. Under the "Right to Choose" pathway in England, it is your legal right to decide which healthcare provider to refer to your GP provided that they satisfy NHS specifications and are not more costly than the NHS.
A private health care provider will conduct a thorough interview to ask questions about your medical history, family history and the severity of your symptoms. You will be asked to fill out self-reporting questionnaires to determine how ADHD affects your daily life and the relationships you have with. This information is used to rule out any other medical or psychological conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. If they find you suffer from ADHD A personalised plan of treatment will be written specifically for you. This could include medication or psychotherapy.
When it comes to accessing medications through the NHS after receiving a private diagnosis, it is important to know that a majority of GPs aren't willing to sign a'shared care agreement' that states they will manage your treatment from your private physician (even for ADHD tablets). This is because they don't feel that they have the necessary training or expertise in ADHD medication to to make informed decisions about what is best for you.
If you choose to take the private route It's worth keeping in mind that the costs of private assessments and treatments aren't the same across the UK. The East of England, for instance, was found out to be the most expensive area for both adult ADHD assessments as well as child ADHD consultations. Consultations for follow-up were about 20 percent more expensive than the national median. You can get an idea of the expected costs for your specific region by using our ADHD cost calculator online here. If you don't want pay for private healthcare, there are other options.
Alternative Routes
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition and, in children, it is often manifested by exhibiting impulsive or hyperactive behavior. Adults are susceptible to irritability and restlessness, particularly when they are under pressure at home or work. This can result in the root of the problem being hidden for a long time before it is finally dealt with by a psychiatrist.
It's a good idea see your GP if you are an adult and you suspect you might have ADHD. Your doctor will begin with an initial assessment, gathering information on your symptoms as well as your medical background. The GP will then refer you to a specialist like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
You will be asked to explain your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life when you arrive for your appointment. You will be asked about any mental health issues you have had to deal with and your family history of mental illness. It is important to tell the person who is assessing you of any comorbid conditions such as anxiety or depression, since they can confuse the diagnosis of ADHD.
If your doctor determines that you suffer from ADHD, he or she will recommend a treatment plan that includes medication. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD However, it's possible that they will recommend non-stimulant medications such as Atomoxetine, Venlafaxine or bupropion hydrochloride. These drugs are not addictive and can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms.
The NHS provides a wide range of options for adults who want to receive an ADHD diagnosis, however waiting times can be lengthy. You can also pick 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 assessment of ADHD as an adult can transform your life. It can help you focus on your career and relationships rather than worrying about unmanaged ADHD symptoms. It also gives you the clarity and support that you did not know existed. If you're an adult who is contemplating an ADHD diagnosis, Onebright can support you at every step of the process.