ADHD Assessments in the UK
Getting an ADHD assessment can be a challenge for many people, especially those who need to access the NHS. This is due to the fact that the system struggles to keep up with the demand.
GPs can ask about symptoms and family history but they cannot diagnose or conduct an assessment. Only clinicians can do this.
Symptoms
If you suspect that your symptoms might be due to ADHD it is crucial to seek medical advice. In the UK it is possible to arrange an appointment with a psychiatrist, or a specialist in mental health. It is a planned and formal appointment with a doctor. He will request an entire psychiatric history and identify any other health conditions that could be present with or in conjunction with ADHD.
During your evaluation, you will be asked to give examples of your symptoms and how they affect you. You will be asked to evaluate your symptoms using an appropriate scale. All of the information you provide will be considered by the psychiatrist when deciding if you are qualified for an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. This will be determined by the DSM V criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
You will be asked to provide specific details about the symptoms you have, including how long you've been experiencing them and whether they started in childhood. You will also be asked to explain how these symptoms affect your life and relationships particularly when you are at work or in high-stress situations.
Someone with inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate in class or during an online conference call and may miss important information. This could cause tension in relationships, or even breaking down. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also cause people to lose items frequently, such as keys, phones or wallets. This can create a lot of anxiety as people are searching for them and delegating their tasks to others.
It is also usual for the psychiatrist to speak with family members who know you well, and to review old school reports, if they are available. It may be beneficial to speak to an ex-teacher or educational professional, particularly if your school performance has been poor.
You will be asked to fill in questionnaires prior to your appointment. You will be asked about your lifestyle, mental health and any past behavioural issues. It is also common for a psychiatrist consultant to be present during your appointment, and this is extremely beneficial in helping to make a diagnosis of ADHD or other health issues.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD isn't easy especially for adults. It's important to have the right diagnosis in order to receive the appropriate treatment and help. The first step in getting the right diagnosis is a professional evaluation. A good psychiatrist will listen to you and analyze the symptoms that are causing problems. They will also search for comorbidities that may be causing symptoms. ADHD symptoms can cause stress and affect your quality-of-life. These symptoms can include difficulty in concentration, making mistakes and acting out in a rash manner. There is also a possibility of having difficulty with time management and organisation. These problems can cause difficulties at home, school or work.
An assessment will involve several conversations with the specialist. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle and medical history and the mental health of your family. They may also use questionnaires and ratings scales to collect details about your ADHD symptoms. People who are familiar with you, such as a partner, relative or close friend, may also be sought out to gain more insights. This will ensure that the assessment is as accurate as it can be.
The doctor will confirm the diagnosis if they find that you suffer from ADHD by using the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. sites will then discuss how your symptoms impact on your daily life and look into any other comorbid conditions you might be suffering from, such as anxiety or depression.
While the NHS provides an excellent service, delays to assessments can be a source of frustration for those with ADHD. The BBC recently reported that some adults have waited up to two years for an NHS diagnosis after being diagnosed by their doctor. This is due to the huge demand for services and the resulting shortage of capacity and some NHS trusts removing their waiting lists completely.
Private ADHD assessments are a more effective method of diagnosing ADHD. You don't need a GP's referral to access NHS services and you can also self-refer yourself to private assessments. Many patients prefer a private diagnosis because it is faster because there aren't waiting lists. It also helps to save the hassle of waiting in line for life-changing treatments.
Treatment
After the specialist has completed their examination after which they will inform you of any possible diagnosis and treatment options. It's usually a medical treatment plan, though psychotherapy is also offered. Psychotherapy can help you discover strategies for coping and managing your symptoms to ensure they don't affect your life as significantly. The medication prescribed is usually a stimulant that increases the transmission of brain cells. It's often taken in tablet form with methylphenidate being the most common. It is available as a modified-release tablet or immediate-release which are taken 2 or 3 times per daily. The doctor will inform you of the duration you should take the medication, however the majority of patients are prescribed it for as long as it's effective.
During the evaluation the doctor will also seek input from individuals who know you well including colleagues and family members. This will help them collect information that might not have been disclosed during your appointment. They will also assess whether you have comorbid conditions that typically occur with ADHD, such as depression or anxiety.
If your specialist determines that you have ADHD and ADHD, they will draft a report that they will forward to your GP. They may also recommend the referral to a specialist to provide ongoing support and care.
The NHS's services have struggled to meet the growing demand for ADHD assessments in recent years as the BBC reports. This is largely due to the fact that a lot of people aren't aware that their symptoms are linked to ADHD and can cause them to be referred for a different condition, such as anxiety or depression.
A new taskforce has been established to try to reduce waiting times and ensure that patients get the help they require. The taskforce will bring together cross-sector expertise and provide joint-up solutions. However, targeted investments are also required to expand ADHD services and give them the resources they require to meet demand.
Support
The NHS in the UK has a long wait for ADHD assessments. In fact, one programme lead informed the BBC that the demand for adult ADHD assessments has increased by 700% over the past year, and certain areas had wait lists that stretched over two years. The NHS has been working on tackling this issue and recently launched a taskforce with the goal of increasing access to specialist assistance for adults with ADHD.
This will reduce the length of time needed for assessments and enable doctors to refer patients in the most efficient way. For instance, a person who has an ancestral history of ADHD should be referred by their GP for a professional opinion - because, aside from being diagnosed with ADHD the majority of these people have related mental health problems.
The NHS offers a variety of ADHD assessments for those who are considering medical treatment or have been diagnosed with the condition. These tests are typically conducted by a psychiatrist, psychologist or another professional who has experience diagnosing adult ADHD. The assessment can last between 45 and 90 mins and is typically conducted over the phone or via video call.
During the evaluation, the clinician will ask you about your history of ADHD symptoms and past experiences with them. The doctor will inquire about your mental health and any mental health issues you or your family have experienced. It is crucial to talk about all of these issues during the assessment, since it can help the therapist determine if you are suffering from ADHD.
After the evaluation is completed the doctor will decide on a treatment program. This will usually include psychotherapy and medication. It could also include other support services such as peer-support groups and workshops.
If you'd like to get an appointment faster you can go to a private healthcare provider than wait for the NHS. This can be done through self-referral, or in certain cases with the approval of your doctor. Private healthcare providers provide a more direct access route to specialist mental health care and appointments are often much quicker than NHS ones.