ADHD Assessments in the UK
Many people are unable to get an ADHD assessment, especially those who are on the NHS. This is because the system is unable to keep pace with demand.
GPs may inquire about symptoms and family history however, they are not qualified to diagnose or conduct an assessment. Only clinicians can perform this.
Symptoms
If you think that your symptoms could be due to ADHD it is essential to seek medical advice. In the UK it is possible to book an appointment with a psychiatrist, a specialist in mental health. It is a formal, scheduled appointment with a physician who will take a full medical history and determine any other health conditions that could be present in addition to or instead of ADHD.
During your examination during your assessment, you will be asked to provide examples of your symptoms. You will be asked to rate your symptoms on an appropriate scale. The psychiatrist will take all of this information into consideration and determine if you meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. This will be based upon the DSM V criteria of Attention Hyperactivity Disorder/Deficit.
You will be asked for specific details about the symptoms you experience, such as how long you have been experiencing them, and whether they began in childhood. You will also be asked to describe how these symptoms affect your life and relationships especially at work or in high stress situations.
Someone with inattentive ADHD may find it difficult to focus in class or during an online conference call and miss important information. This might lead to relationship tensions or breakdown. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also cause people to lose items often, like keys, phones or wallets. This can create lots of stress as they spend time looking for them and delegating work to others.
The psychiatrist will also interview relatives and review old school reports if they are available. It can be beneficial to speak with an educator or another educational professional who knows you from the past, particularly in the case of struggling in school.
The assessment usually involves an examination of the body and you will be asked to fill out questionnaires prior to your appointment. You will be asked about your habits, mental health and any behavioural issues you have had in the past. When you visit the doctor it is normal for a psychiatrist to observe you. This can be extremely helpful in determining ADHD or other health issues.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD particularly for adults. It is crucial to get the correct diagnosis to receive the right treatment and help. A professional assessment is the first step to gaining the right diagnoses. A good psychiatrist will listen to you and evaluate the symptoms that are causing issues. They will also check for comorbidities that may be causing symptoms. ADHD symptoms can cause stress and affect your quality-of-life. They can include problems with concentration, making impulsive mistakes, and acting in impulsive ways. You might also have issues with organisation and time management. These issues can cause problems at school, at work or at home.
An assessment will consist of several conversations with the doctor. They will ask you questions about your life style, medical history, and your family's mental health history. adhd assessment cheap employ rating scales and questionnaires to gather information about your ADHD. Input from individuals who are familiar with you such as a spouse, relative or close friend, can be sought out to gain more insights. This ensures that the assessment is as accurate as you can.
If a specialist concludes that you suffer from ADHD They will apply the diagnostic criteria laid out in the DSM-5 to confirm your diagnosis. They will then talk about how your symptoms affect your daily functioning and consider any comorbidities you might suffer from, like anxiety or depression.
The NHS offers a great service, but delays in assessments can be frustrating to people who suffer from ADHD. The BBC recently reported that adults are waiting up to two years to receive an NHS diagnosis after being diagnosed by their GPs. This is due to the massive demand for services and the resulting shortage of capacity, with some NHS trusts shutting down their waiting lists completely.
Fortunately there are private ADHD assessments offer an easier method of diagnosis. You don't need a GP's referral to access NHS services however, you can refer yourself to private assessments. Many patients have discovered that it takes less time to receive a diagnosis from a private doctor because there are no waiting lists and they can avoid the frustration of waiting for life-changing treatment.
Treatment
After the doctor has completed their examination, you will be informed of the potential diagnosis and treatment options. This is usually a medication-based treatment plan. Psychotherapy is also advised. Psychotherapy can help you discover strategies to cope and manage your symptoms to ensure they don't impact your life as much. The medication is usually prescribed as a stimulant which improves the way signals are sent between brain cells. The most common form is methylphenidate tablets. It can be prescribed in immediate-release tablets or modified-release tablets and taken twice or three times daily. The specialist will tell you how long to take the medication. However, the majority of patients are prescribed for as long as they believe it to be effective.
During the examination, your doctor may also ask for input from those who know you personally, such co-workers or family members. This will allow them to gather information that was not disclosed during your consultation. They will also evaluate whether you have any comorbid conditions that commonly occur with ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
If your doctor diagnoses ADHD the doctor will write a note that they will forward to your GP. They may also recommend the referral to an expert for ongoing support and care.
BBC reports that the NHS has struggled to meet the demand for ADHD assessments in recent years. This is due in part to the fact that a lot of people don't realise their symptoms are linked to ADHD which could result in them being assessed for a different illness such as anxiety or depression.
A new taskforce was launched to speed up the process of waiting and ensure that patients get the assistance they require. The taskforce will draw expertise from across sectors and provide integrated solutions. However, targeted investment is required to expand ADHD and give the resources that are required to meet demand.
Support
Currently, getting an assessment for ADHD within the NHS in the UK involves quite a lengthy wait. In fact, one system programme director informed the BBC that the requests for adult ADHD assessments has increased by 700% over a year, and some areas had wait lists of over two years. The NHS has been working on tackling this issue and recently established a taskforce with the goal of enhancing access to support for people suffering from ADHD.
This should help to reduce the waiting times for assessments, and it will also enable clinicians to ensure that patients are referred in the most appropriate manner. Anyone with a family history or ADHD should be referred to a doctor for an opinion by their GP. This is because they are usually suffering from mental health issues, in addition to ADHD.
The NHS offers a variety of ADHD tests for those who are thinking about seeking medical treatment, or who have already been diagnosed with the condition. These tests are usually performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist or another professional who has experience diagnosing adult ADHD. The assessment process can take between 45 and 90 minutes, and is typically conducted over the phone or video call.
During the assessment the doctor will discuss with you your past experiences with ADHD symptoms as well as your past experiences with them. The counselor will ask you about your mental state and any mental health issues you or your family members have faced. It is essential to talk about all of these issues during the assessment. This will help the doctor determine if you suffer from ADHD.
The doctor will determine the treatment plan following the examination. This usually includes medication and psychological therapy. Other support services, such as workshops and peer-support groups, might also be included.
If you want to speed up the process of obtaining an assessment can opt to go to private healthcare providers, rather than waiting for the NHS. This can be done by self-referral or, in some cases with the permission of your GP. Private healthcare providers provide a more direct access route to specialist mental health services and appointments are usually faster than NHS ones.