How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
It can be difficult to get an ADHD assessment, but it is important to follow the correct steps. Talk with your GP about the reasons you think you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP should be able to take your concerns seriously and ask you to fill out an assessment tool.
You can also opt to self-refer to a private medical professional for an ADHD assessment. This option is much quicker than using the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
In the UK There is a growing awareness of ADHD. However, certain beliefs can make it difficult for people to be diagnosed. This could include the belief that ADHD is only a problem for boys, people from certain backgrounds, or those who don't fit the stereotype of someone who has ADHD.
If your GP won't refer you for an examination, you need to consider finding another - especially in the event that the NHS is offering a Right to Choose medication referral. The Psychiatry-UK website has a great guide to this here.
An ADHD evaluation typically consists of a series of conversations with your psychiatrist regarding your symptoms as well as questionnaires and ratings. You might also be asked about your family history, and what impacts your symptoms may have on you. They will also inquire if you have any other health issues.
2. Ask your GP to refer you
In England, GPs may refer adults suffering from ADHD to psychiatrists through the "Right to Choose" pathway. This can allow you to access the NHS faster and cut down waiting times.
Your GP should be able to listen to your concerns and have open and honest discussions with you regarding the reason you believe you may have ADHD. They should also talk about any other mental health issues that may be affecting your life.
If they decide to refer you to an NHS assessment, your doctor should follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires, and input from those who know you best. A diagnosis will help to get you the support you require, including medication and CBT. ADHD medications are stimulants that should only be prescribed by specialists. After you have received a private diagnosis from your doctor and they ask your GP to prescribe under an agreement known as a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP to recommend you to a Psychiatrist
ADHD can be a crippling condition. It can be challenging to keep up with school, at work or with relationships. It can also impact your health and trigger various mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
The NHS offers specialized ADHD assessments via a process called Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal right you have in England.
You'll be accompanied by a psychiatrist at your assessment who will ask you about your symptoms as well as your family history. Bring documents such as performance evaluations and copies of any previous psychological tests. They may want to speak to your parents or other people who know you well. Then, they will determine whether you're diagnosed with ADHD. They may recommend that you look into treatment options. They'll also discuss ongoing care options, which could be continuing private treatment or sent back to your GP for shared management.
4. Request your doctor to refer you to a Neurodevelopmental Service.
It can be a long process to obtain an ADHD assessment, especially if you live in an area where there aren't many providers. The NHS psychiatrist who does the assessment will talk with you about how your issues affect you, and will use questionnaires to assess the severity of your symptoms. They may also ask people in your life who know you well (spouse, sibling or parents for adults) to describe your behaviours. This could provide the kind of personal insight that is not available through questionnaires.
After you've received your diagnosis, the specialist will send a report to your GP. If your doctor agrees to the 'Shared Care Agreement', they'll make arrangements for you to begin treatment through the NHS. This will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. It could take a while and the NHS is under pressure, and resources are scarce.
5. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child psychiatrist
A professional ADHD assessment can be a huge relief. It can help you understand that your your child's symptoms are due to an illness of the brain and not a personal failing, reducing 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 create an account of their findings and possible diagnoses. You will then be offered an appropriate treatment plan that may include CBT therapy or medication.
Adults in England can also be directed to a private clinic by their GP under the Right To Choose scheme. This can be less expensive and quicker than waiting for an NHS referral. However, you will be paying for the assessment yourself.
6. Ask your GP for the referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you think 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 can help you access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It is also helpful to determine if medication could be beneficial.
The NHS has guidelines to help diagnose ADHD. The process involves an interview with a psychiatrist, a review of the medical and developmental histories, and questionnaires. Family members and others who know you may be questioned as well.
Adults and children have to show symptoms in two or more situations, such as school, home and work and the symptoms can cause impairment. The behavior can't be explained by another mental health issue like depression or anxiety. A psychiatrist is usually the one to make the diagnosis. A private assessment will involve similar procedures, however the specialist will also look for comorbid conditions.
7. Ask your GP for the referral to a child psychiatrist
If you're considering medication, then you will need to see a psychiatrist to get an assessment and a diagnosis. You will be asked to complete a checklist of ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also look into whether your symptoms have been present since you were a kid.
Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they believe you require an ADHD assessment. Alternatively, adults in England have the legal right to choose their own mental health healthcare provider and can choose private assessments without a GP referral letter.
A private ADHD assessment includes a medical interview with psychiatrist specialists and questionnaires including symptom checklists and scales for rating behavior. You might also be asked to give input from relatives or others who are familiar with you.
8. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child Neurodevelopmental Services
It's important that you speak to your GP when you suspect that your child may have ADHD or if you're concerned about their behavior. Your GP will take your concerns seriously and refer you for an assessment by the NHS.
The NHS in England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, follows NICE guidelines to diagnose ADHD. In Scotland the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network Guidelines (SIGN) are followed.
The NHS in England has a system known as 'Right To Choose', which means that you have a legal right to choose which treatment and assessments. It isn't easy to find organizations that are qualified. Many people prefer to have their tests or treatments done privately. If you choose to do this the latter, your physician will have to send a letter to your GP with a form for a Shared Care Agreement. This means you will pay for medications privately, however the NHS should be able to cover CBT therapy.
9. Ask your GP to refer you to an Child Psychiatrist
It may take some time to receive an evaluation in the NHS. online adhd assessment are under great pressure, and resources are not abundant. It can also be difficult to navigate the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment can be completed much faster. It will include a clinical interview with a specialist for adult ADHD. This will include your medical history, developmental milestones, family history, and current symptoms. Self-report questionnaires will also be used to collect information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily functioning. To gain more insight, you may be asked to provide input from those who know you, for example, your spouse, sibling, or friend.
It's important to note that in England citizens have the legal right of choosing their preferred provider for NHS assessments via the 'Right to Choose" pathway. This can reduce waiting times.
10. Ask your GP for a referral to a child Neurodevelopmental Services
If you're looking to receive a diagnosis from the NHS procedure, it's quite simple. You'll have to request your GP for a referral to an ADHD specialist, and then wait to be evaluated.
You'll be in a clinical interview with a specialist and they'll inquire about your medical history and developmental milestones, your family history, as well as the specific symptoms you're experiencing. You might also be asked to complete symptoms checklists and request input from people who know you well.
If your GP refuses to refer you for an assessment It's a good idea to find an alternative GP, especially in the event that you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement with the NHS to receive medication later on down the road. Psychiatry UK offers a few helpful suggestions for you. You can also try contacting private assessment providers directly.