How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It isn't easy to get an ADHD assessment however it is essential that you follow the correct steps. First, speak to your GP and explain why you think you might have ADHD. Your GP should be able to take your concerns seriously and request you to fill out a screening tool.
You can also opt to refer yourself to a private medical professional to get an ADHD assessment. This route can be much quicker than using the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
In the UK, there is an increasing awareness of ADHD. However, some biases can make it difficult to diagnose people. These can include the perception that ADHD only affects males, those from certain backgrounds, or those who don't conform to the stereotype of someone with ADHD.
If your GP will not refer you to an assessment, you should look into a different one, particularly when the NHS is offering the Right to Choose medication referral. Here's a helpful guide from Psychiatry UK that can help you.
A typical ADHD evaluation consists of meetings with a psychiatrist regarding your symptoms as well as questionnaires. You may also be asked about your family history and what impacts your symptoms may have on you. They will also determine if you have any other health issues.
2. Ask your GP for an appointment
In England doctors can recommend adults with ADHD to psychiatrists using the "Right to Choose" process. This allows you to access the NHS faster and decrease the time it takes to wait.
Your GP should take your concerns seriously and have a candid and frank discussion with you about the reasons you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They should also talk about other mental health issues affecting your life.
If your doctor decides to refer you to the NHS for an assessment, they should follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires and input from those who know you best. A diagnosis can provide you with the help you need, including CBT therapy and medication. Treatments for ADHD are stimulants that can only be prescribed by a specialist clinician. Once you receive a private diagnosis from your physician, they will ask your GP to prescribe under an agreement known as a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP for the referral to a Psychiatrist
ADHD can be a limiting condition. It can make it hard to keep up with school, work or even relationships. It can also impact your health and lead you to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
The NHS offers specialist ADHD assessments via an assessment process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right you have in England.
You'll meet a psychiatrist at your appointment. They will ask you about your symptoms and your family history. Bring records such as performance evaluations and copies of any previous psychological tests. They may also want to speak to your parents or other people who know you well. They will then determine whether they can diagnose you with ADHD. They may recommend that you look into medications. They will also discuss ongoing care, which may include private treatment or discharge back to your GP.
4. Request your doctor to refer you to a Neurodevelopmental Service
The process of getting an ADHD assessment can be a long one particularly if you live in a place 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 ask you to describe your behaviour or ask someone who is familiar with you like your spouse, sibling, or parents if you are an adult. This could give you an insight into your personality that cannot be found from questionnaires.
After you've received your diagnosis, the doctor will provide a report to your GP. If your doctor agrees to the "Shared Care" agreement, they'll arrange for you to begin treatment on the NHS. visit link will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. It could take a while - 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 major relief. It will help you realize that your or your child's symptoms are due to a neurological condition and not a personal failing, reducing feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will take details from a survey or interview with your family, teachers, and other people who know you well. They will then compile an account of their findings and any possible diagnosis. You will then be provided with a treatment plan, which may include a CBT or medication.
If you are an adult in England and you are a resident of England, you can decide to be recommended by your GP through the Right To Choose scheme to a private clinic. This is quicker and less expensive than waiting for an appointment with the NHS. You'll need to pay for the assessment.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist if you or your child thinks they are suffering from ADHD. A clinical diagnosis can help you to access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It is helpful in determining if medication is beneficial.
The NHS provides guidelines for how to evaluate and diagnose ADHD. The process involves an interview with psychiatrists, a study of the medical and developmental histories as well as questionnaires. Interviews may be conducted with family members or other people who know you well.
The symptoms should be present in at least two settings (such as home, school and at work) and cause impairment. The behaviour cannot be better explained by another mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety. The diagnosis is typically done by a psychiatrist. A private evaluation will follow the same process, however the specialist will also look for comorbidities.
7. Ask your GP to refer you to an Psychiatrist for Children.
If you want to try medication, then you will need to see a psychiatrist to get an assessment and a diagnosis. You will be asked to fill out a checklist of ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also determine whether your symptoms have been present since you were a child.
Your GP is likely to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they are of the opinion that you require an ADHD assessment. Alternatively, adults in England now have the legal right to choose their own mental health healthcare provider and can choose private assessments without a GP referral.
A private ADHD assessment includes a medical interview with psychiatrists and questionnaires that include symptom checklists as well as scales of behavior rating. Family members or anyone else who knows you well could be requested as well.
8. Ask your GP for an appointment with a Child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you believe that your child suffers from ADHD or are concerned about their behavior it is important to talk to your GP. Your GP should be concerned about your concerns and refer you to the NHS for an assessment.
The NHS in England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, follows NICE guidelines to diagnose ADHD. In Scotland, they follow Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidelines.
The NHS in England also has an option called 'Right To Choose', which means you have the legal right to choose the place you receive your treatment and assessment. However, it can be difficult to find organizations that qualify for this. Many patients prefer having their tests or treatments done privately. If you do, your clinician will need to send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a Shared Care Agreement. You will pay for your medication on your own, whereas the NHS should be able to cover CBT.
9. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Psychiatrist
It may take some time to get an evaluation in the NHS. The NHS mental health specialists work under great pressure, and the resources are limited. In addition it can be difficult to navigate the complexity of the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment is much quicker. It will include a medical interview with a specialist for adult ADHD. The interview will include your medical history, developmental milestones, family history, as well as your current symptoms. Self-reporting questionnaires will be used to gather additional details regarding your symptoms, including their impact on your daily life. Information from those who know you well, like siblings, spouses, or a friend, could be gathered for additional insights.
It is important to know that in England citizens have the legal right to choose their provider of NHS assessments through the "Right to Choose" pathway. This can cut down on waiting times.
10. Ask your GP for the referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you want to get an assessment through the NHS procedure, it's relatively simple. 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 specialist, and they'll ask you about your medical background as well as developmental milestones, family history, and the particular symptoms you're experiencing. You may be asked to fill out symptoms checklists or request feedback from those who know your condition.
If your GP refuses to refer you for an assessment, it's worth seeking a new GP especially in the event that you intend to apply for a Shared Care Agreement with the NHS for medication later in the future. Psychiatry UK offers a few helpful suggestions for you. You can also contact private assessment providers directly.