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How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK It can be difficult to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS. The waiting lists can be long and patients may be diagnosed with other conditions which can explain their problems like anxiety or depression. Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and ask why you think you might be suffering from ADHD. The GP will then refer you to the NHS for an assessment. 1. Check with your GP In England and Wales you can get an ADHD assessment through the NHS and it might be possible to obtain medication if it's appropriate for you. You will need explain to your GP why you believe you might be suffering from ADHD and the consequences it can have on your life. Your GP will take this very seriously and will ask you to complete an assessment questionnaire or screening tool prior to referring you to an expert for an assessment. Adults should prepare an outline of specific ADHD signs and symptoms they experience on a daily basis. Prepare to provide examples when requested. Your psychiatrist will work with you to assess whether or not you have ADHD, and they will use a range of tools and approaches such as symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, as well as interviewing you along with your family members, friends and others who know you well. They will take the information they get and create an account. They will then discuss with you what their recommendation is, which may be that you are suffering from an ADHD diagnosis and, if it is appropriate, that you start treatment with medication. You might find that some doctors are not willing to refer you for an assessment or not be able to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS, in which case it is worth finding another GP who will be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK has some great advice about this on their website here. In England you have the legal right to choose the location where your GP refers you to get an ADHD assessment, as long that the service is offered through the NHS and does not cost more than if you go through the NHS directly. If you're unable to reach an agreement with your local CCG you can approach ICAS for help in submitting an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales, the NHS has different guidelines and rules. You can attempt to access services via Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK offers some suggestions on this. 2. Ask for a reference Depending on where you reside in the UK there are two different routes you can take to get an ADHD assessment. The one is to use the NHS and ask your GP to recommend you. This could be a long procedure and you could have to wait for years to receive an answer. You can also use the 'Right to Choose” route. This is a legal right that permits you to request an appointment with an outside provider in the event that you believe the NHS wait time for an ADHD assessment is too long. If you choose to do this, then your GP must accept this, and also sign a'shared care agreement' with the service provider you've selected. The majority of GPs are not willing to sign shared care agreements for patients who have been diagnosed privately due to the fact that they do not have the expertise in diagnosing ADHD or prescribing the medication it requires. In the majority of cases, you can then book an appointment with a private practitioner of your choosing. The ADHD specialist will carry out an interview and questionnaires with your child and you (if over the age of 11) before completing an initial assessment. The doctor will then provide you with an exact indication of whether they think that your symptoms may be due to ADHD or not. After the initial assessment, if it is thought that ADHD may be causing your issues, they'll typically send you home with an additional questionnaire to complete for your school or workplace. They will then schedule a follow up appointment to discuss the findings and explain the diagnosis. The appointment will be a chance to discuss any possible medication options, and if it is determined that the medication is suitable then your GP will be informed and asked to prescribe it for you. Any other recommendations regarding support at work or school will be discussed with your specialist and any fees are discussed before starting. Most private providers will also offer free advice and support between appointments, either via email or brief phone calls. 3. Take advantage of an evaluation The process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis in the UK isn't easy and often, it's mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health disorders. The best method to obtain a diagnosis of ADHD is to have an assessment by an experienced consultant psychiatrist who is specialized in the disorder. getting an assessment for adhd might have to wait for an assessment to be completed by the NHS. Talk to your GP for advice if you're concerned about the time it takes to wait. Right to Choose is a new NHS initiative that allows you the option of choosing the organisation to whom you're recommended. This allows you bypass the NHS waiting lists and can make the whole process much more efficient. The psychiatrist will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. The psychiatrist will then conduct a structured clinical evaluation with standardised questions. It can be helpful to familiarise yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment. You should record examples, since it is common for people's minds to be in a blank space when discussing their own experiences. The examination will also include physical examinations as well as interviews with family members as well as teachers and colleagues. It is essential that the information collected is as precise and complete as possible, so the psychiatrist will be able to provide the most accurate diagnosis. If the psychiatrist believes that you or your children are suffering from ADHD then he'll refer you to a service for adults suffering from ADHD. This is a follow-up appointment that could involve various tests, including psychological tests and brain imaging, which will determine the severity of the disorder. Some people choose to have a private ADHD assessment – this is growing in popularity as waiting lists through the NHS continue to increase. Depending on where you live in the UK there are a number of organisations that offer private assessments for ADHD. You can check out a list of them here, or talk to your GP about which one is the best one for you. Private exams are usually faster than relying on the NHS however it is important to know that health insurance does not cover the cost. 4. Get a diagnosis ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas. For instance, it can affect work or relationships. An accurate diagnosis can help in resolving these issues. Due to the rise in people who require ADHD assessments, NHS services struggle to cope. The waiting times for assessments can be long. Some people choose to pay for their assessments privately. This lets them skip NHS waiting lists and begin treatment sooner. After you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to formulate an action plan for treating the disorder. This could involve CBT or medication. It is important to think about this before you have your assessment, because it will help you determine what the most effective course of action for you will be. You may be eligible to receive an ADHD assessment through the NHS based on the location you reside in the UK. If this is the case, you must be taken to an expert psychiatrist or paediatrician. They will examine your symptoms and make an assessment based on NICE 87 guidelines. Self-referral is an option even if you don't have GP referral. A private mental health professional will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is usually faster than the NHS route, however it is essential to ensure that your GP is willing to sign an agreement called a Shared Care Agreement with your private clinician. Your doctor will ask questions about your past and current behavior. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also inquire about how these traits affect your life today. Before attending an appointment, it is beneficial to be familiar with the criteria used to determine ADHD and to record examples of how these characteristics have affected your life. A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. It can result in a variety of treatments and offer an increased sense of self-confidence for adults who were previously undiagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and lead to a happier life.