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 right steps. Talk with your GP about the reasons you think you suffer from ADHD. Your GP should take seriously and ask you to fill out a screening tool.
Alternatively, you can choose to self-refer to a private healthcare provider to get an ADHD assessment. This is a lot quicker than using the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
There is a growing awareness of ADHD in the UK, but there are still a few prejudices that can make it more difficult for people to diagnose. These include the notion that ADHD is only a problem for boys, people from certain backgrounds, or those who don't fit the image of someone who has ADHD.
If your GP won't refer you for an examination, you need to look into a different one, particularly when the NHS offers the Right to Choose medication referral. The Psychiatry-UK website has a great guide about this here.
A typical ADHD evaluation consists of conversations with a psychiatrist about your symptoms as well as questionnaires. You might also be asked to provide details about your family history and how your symptoms affect you. They may also inquire if you have other health problems.
2. You can ask your GP for an appointment
In England, GPs may recommend adults with ADHD to psychiatrists via the "Right to Choose" process. This lets you access the NHS faster and decrease waiting times.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and have a candid and honest discussion about the reasons you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They should also talk about any other mental health issues that may be affecting your life.
If your doctor decides to refer you to the NHS for an assessment, they must follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires, and input from those who know you best. A diagnosis will provide you with the help you need, including CBT therapy and medication. ADHD medications are stimulants that should only be prescribed by specialists. Once you receive a private diagnosis from your clinician and they ask your GP to prescribe under a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP for an appointment with a psychiatrist.
ADHD can be a debilitating condition. It can be challenging to keep up with your schoolwork and at work, as well as in relationships. It can also impact your health and lead to various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
The NHS offers specialist ADHD assessments through the process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right you have in England.
At your assessment, you'll meet with an Psychologist who will inquire about your symptoms and your family history. Bring records such as performance evaluations and copies of any previous psychological tests. It is also possible to speak with your parents or other family members who know you well. They will then determine whether they can determine that you have ADHD. They might suggest that you think about medications. They may also suggest ongoing care, which may include private treatment or a discharge back to your GP.
4. Request your physician to refer you to the Neurodevelopmental Services
It is a lengthy process to receive an ADHD assessment, especially if you live in an area in which there aren't many service providers. The NHS psychiatrist who will conduct the assessment will speak with you about how your symptoms affect you and use questionnaires to evaluate the severity of your symptoms. They might ask you to describe your behavior or seek out someone who knows you well such as your spouse, sibling or parents if you're an adult. This will give you an insight into your personality that isn't possible through an online questionnaire.
After receiving your diagnosis, the doctor will send a report to your GP. If your GP accepts a 'Shared care agreement', they'll arrange for you start treatment through the NHS. This will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. This could take some time, as the NHS is under tremendous pressure and has limited resources.
5. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Psychiatrist
A professional ADHD assessment can provide big relief. It can help you understand that your or your child's symptoms are caused by a neurological condition and not a result of a personal failure and reduce the feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will gather information from a survey or interview with your teachers, family members, and other people who know you well. The psychiatrist will then create a report containing their findings and possible diagnoses. You will be given a treatment plan that may include CBT or medication.
Adults in England can also be referred to a private clinic by their GP under the Right To Choose scheme. This is less expensive and quicker than waiting for an NHS referral. However, you'll be paying for the examination yourself.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service
If you suspect that you or your child have ADHD, it's worth asking your GP to refer you to an assessment. A diagnosis from a clinical perspective can assist you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and DSA. It can also be useful for establishing whether medication would be beneficial.
The NHS has guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. The process involves an interview with psychiatrists, a review of your medical and developmental history as well as questionnaires. Interviews may also be conducted with family members or others who know you well.
Children and adults must exhibit symptoms in more than one settings, like school, home and work, and the symptoms cause impairment. The behaviour cannot be better explained by a mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. A psychiatrist is usually the one who makes the diagnosis. A private assessment is similar procedures, however the specialist will also check for comorbid conditions.
7. Ask your GP to refer you to an Psychiatrist for Children.
If you are considering treatment, you will need to see a psychiatrist to get an assessment and a diagnosis. They will ask you to complete the checklist of ADHD traits (symptoms) and how they affect your life. They will also look into whether your symptoms have been present since you were a child.
Your GP will be able to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they believe you require an ADHD assessment. Adults in England are now able to choose their own mental health provider, and can choose private assessments.
A private ADHD assessment consists of a psychotherapy interview conducted by a psychiatrist specialist, as well as questionnaires that include symptom checklists as well as behavior rating scales. You might also be asked to share your thoughts from family members or other people who know you well.
8. Ask your GP for the referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
It is crucial to speak to your GP when you suspect that your child may have ADHD or if you are concerned about their behavior. Your GP will consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an assessment by the NHS.
I Am Psychiatry in England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, follows NICE guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. In Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network Guidelines (SIGN) are followed.
The NHS in England also has the system known as 'Right to Choose', which means you have the legal right to decide where you receive your treatment and assessments. It isn't easy to find organizations that meet the requirements. Many patients prefer having their tests or treatments done in private. If you decide to do so then, your doctor will need to send a letter to your GP with the necessary paperwork to sign a Shared Care Agreement. This means that you pay for medications privately, however the NHS will be able to cover CBT therapy.
9. Ask your GP to refer you to an Child Psychiatrist
It may take a while to receive an evaluation in the NHS. The NHS mental health specialists work under immense stress, and resources are limited. Additionally it can be difficult to navigate the complexity of the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment is more quickly. It includes a clinical interview with a specialist for adult ADHD. This will include your medical history, developmental milestones, family history and current symptoms. Self-reporting forms will be used to collect additional data about your symptoms, as well as their impact on your daily activities. Information from those who know you well, like your spouse, sibling or a friend, could be gathered to provide additional information.
It's important to note that in England citizens 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 of getting an NHS diagnosis is relatively easy. You will need to ask your GP to refer you to an ADHD specialist and then wait for the assessment.
You'll be in a clinical interview with the specialist, and they'll ask you about your medical background as well as developmental milestones, family history, as well as the specific symptoms you're experiencing. You might be asked to complete symptoms checklists or request feedback from those who know you.
If your GP refuses to make an appointment for you to be assessed you should consider seeking another GP particularly if you plan on applying for a Shared Care Agreement with the NHS to receive medication later on down the line. There are some good suggestions on how to do this on the Psychiatry UK website. You can also make contact with private assessment providers directly.