How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK
Getting an ADHD assessment can be a challenge, but it's important to ensure you follow the right steps. First, talk to your GP and explain why you believe you suffer from ADHD. Your GP must take you seriously and ask you to fill out a screening tool.
You can also self-refer yourself to a private medical professional to receive an ADHD assessment. This route can be much quicker than using the NHS.
1. Speak to your doctor
In the UK there is a growing awareness of ADHD. However, certain prejudices can make it difficult for people to be diagnosed. One of these biases could include the belief that ADHD is only a problem for boys, people with certain backgrounds, and for those who don't fit the stereotype.
If your GP will not refer you to an examination, you need to consider finding another - especially when the NHS offers a Right to Choose medication referral. Here's a helpful guide from Psychiatry UK that can help you.
An ADHD evaluation typically consists of an ongoing conversation with the psychiatrist about your symptoms, as well as questionnaires and ratings. You might also be asked to provide information about your family background and how your symptoms impact you. They will also inquire if you have any other health issues.
2. Ask your GP to refer you to your doctor
In England, doctors can send adults suffering from ADHD to a psychiatrist through the 'Right of Choice' pathway. This lets you access the NHS faster and can reduce the time it takes to wait.
Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and have an open and honest discussion with you about why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They should also discuss other mental health issues that could be affecting your life.
If they decide to refer you for an NHS assessment, your doctor should follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires and input from those who know you best. A diagnosis can help receive the support you require, which includes medication and CBT. ADHD medications are stimulants that should only be prescribed by a specialist. If you've received a private diagnosis, your clinician will write to your GP asking them to prescribe for you under a 'Shared Care Contract'.
3. Ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist
ADHD can be a debilitating disorder. It can be difficult to keep up with your schoolwork and at work, as well as in relationships. It can also affect your health and trigger various mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
The NHS provides specialized ADHD evaluations through the process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal rights that you enjoy as an English citizen.
You'll be accompanied by a psychiatrist at your appointment. They will ask you about your symptoms as well as your family history. It's helpful to bring documents such as performance evaluations or copies from previous psychological test results. They may want to speak to your parents or anyone else who know you well. adhd diagnosis assessment will then determine whether they are able to determine that you have ADHD. They may recommend that you look into medication options. They may also suggest ongoing care, which could include private treatment or a referral back to your GP.
4. Request your doctor to refer you to a Neurodevelopmental Service.
The process of obtaining an ADHD assessment can be a long one particularly if you live in a location where there are few providers. The NHS psychiatrist who will conduct the assessment will talk to you about how your symptoms affect you, and 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 will give you personal insight that is not possible with the help of a questionnaire.
The specialist will provide a diagnosis to your GP. If your GP agrees with the 'Shared Care Agreement', they will arrange for you to begin treatment through the NHS. This will include prescription medication and CBT therapy. This may take time due to the fact that the NHS is under enormous pressure and has a limited amount of resources.
5. Ask your GP for a referral to a child psychiatrist
A professional ADHD evaluation can be a huge relief. It can help you understand that your your child's symptoms are a result of an illness of the brain and not a personal failing and reduce the feelings of shame, guilt and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will gather information from a questionnaire or through interviews with your teachers, family members and other individuals who know you well. The psychiatrist will then write an account of their findings and possible diagnoses. You will then be provided with an treatment plan that could include CBT or medication.
If you are an adult in England you may also decide to be recommended by your GP through the Right To Choose scheme to an individual clinic. This can be less expensive and quicker than waiting for an NHS referral. You'll have to pay for the examination.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service
If you think you or your child has ADHD It's worth asking your GP to refer you for an assessment. A clinical diagnosis will help you to access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It is also helpful for establishing whether medication would be beneficial.
The NHS has guidelines on how to identify and diagnose ADHD. The process includes an interview with a psychiatrist assessment, a review and a questionnaire of your medical and development history. Interviews can also be conducted with family members and others who are familiar with you.
The symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings (such as home, school and at work) and result in impairment. The behavior is not explained by a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. A psychiatrist is usually the one to make the diagnosis. A private assessment will involve similar procedures, however the specialist will also check for comorbidities.
7. Ask your GP for the referral to a child psychiatrist
If you want to try treatment, you will need to see a psychiatrist for an assessment and diagnosis. They will require you to complete a checklist of ADHD traits (symptoms) and how they impact your life. They will also determine if your symptoms have been present since you were a child.
Your doctor will be able to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they agree that you need an ADHD assessment. Adults in England can now select their own mental health provider, and can choose private assessments.
A private ADHD assessment includes a clinical interview conducted by psychiatrists and questionnaires, such as symptom checklists and scales for rating behavior. Family members or others who know you well may be requested as well.
8. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service.
It's important that you speak to your GP when you suspect that your child might have ADHD or if you're concerned about their behavior. Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an assessment by the NHS.
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 a legal right to choose which treatment and tests. However, it can still be difficult to find organisations that meet the requirements for this. Many people prefer to have their examinations or treatments performed privately. If you opt for this option your doctor will write to your GP and provide paperwork to sign a Shared-Care Contract. You will have to pay for your medication on your own, whereas the NHS should provide CBT.
9. Ask your GP to refer you to an Child Psychiatrist
In the NHS it can take some time to receive an assessment. The NHS mental health clinicians work under a lot of pressure, and resources are limited. In addition it can be difficult to navigate the maze of the NHS system.
adhd diagnosis assessment can be completed much faster. It will include a medical interview with a specialist in adult ADHD. This will include your medical history, developmental milestones, family history, and the current symptoms. Self-reporting questionnaires will be used to gather additional information regarding your symptoms, including the impact they have 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 mention that citizens in England have the legal right to choose their provider for NHS assessments by following the 'Right to Choose option. This can reduce waiting times.
10. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service
If you want to get an assessment through the NHS procedure, it's fairly straightforward. You'll need to make an appointment with your GP for an appointment with an ADHD specialist and then wait for an evaluation.
You'll have a clinical interview with a specialist and they'll inquire about your medical history, developmental milestones, family history, and particular symptoms you're experiencing. You may be asked to fill out symptom checklists and ask for input from people who know you well.
If your GP isn't willing to recommend you for an assessment, it's worth seeking an alternative GP, especially in the event that you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement with the NHS for medication down the road. Psychiatry UK offers a few helpful advice for you. You can also contact private assessment providers directly.