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How to Get an ADHD Assessment in the UK It can be a challenge to obtain an ADHD assessment through the NHS. The waiting lists can be lengthy and, in some cases, people are diagnosed with other illness that might explain their challenges better, such as depression or anxiety. Your GP should listen to your concerns and understand the reasons why you believe you have ADHD. The GP should then refer you to the NHS for an assessment. 1. Check with your GP In England and Wales you can receive an ADHD assessment through the NHS and it might be possible to get medication if it is suitable for you. You will need to go to your GP and explain why you suspect that you may have ADHD and what impact it has on your life. Your GP should be aware of this, and they will ask you to fill in some questionnaires or a screening tool prior to they refer you to a specialist to have an assessment. Adults should prepare an outline of specific ADHD symptoms and traits they encounter on a daily basis. Be prepared to give examples when you are asked. Your psychiatrist will collaborate with you closely to determine if you suffer from ADHD. They will make use of different tools and techniques, such as checklists for symptom identification and behaviour rating scales. They will also interview you, your family members, and others who know you very well. The psychiatrist will write an account based on the information they have received. Then, they will discuss their recommendations with you which could be that you have been diagnosed with ADHD and, if appropriate you should start treatment with medication. There are a few doctors aren't willing to recommend you to an assessment or not be able to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS, in which case it's best to find an alternative GP who may be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK has some great advice about this on their website here. In England, you have a legal right to choose where your GP refers you to get an ADHD assessment, as long that the service is offered through the NHS and it doesn't cost you more than going through the NHS directly. If you're not able to reach an agreement with your local CCG you can contact ICAS for help when submitting an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales the NHS has different guidelines and rules. You can get access to services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK offers some suggestions regarding this. 2. Request a recommendation Depending on where you live in the UK there are two distinct options you can choose to receive an ADHD assessment. The one is to use the NHS and ask your GP to recommend you. This could be a lengthy process, and sometimes you could wait for years before getting an appointment. Alternatively, you can use the 'Right to choose route. This is a new legal right that allows if you feel that the NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, then you can request to be directed to a private service by this method. If you decide to do this you must inform your GP must accept this, and must also sign a “shared-care agreement” with the service provider you have chosen. However, most doctors are not keen on signing shared care agreements for patients that have been diagnosed privately, especially because they aren't experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of the medication. In the majority of cases, you will then make an appointment with a private provider that you like. The ADHD specialist will carry out an interview and questionnaires with you and your child (if older than 11) before completing an initial assessment. The clinician will then give you an exact indication of whether they think that your symptoms may be due to ADHD, or not. If it is found that ADHD may be the cause of your problem, you will usually be sent home with additional questions for your school or work place. They will then schedule an appointment with you to discuss the findings and explain the diagnosis. This appointment will give you an opportunity to discuss any options for medication and if it is decided that medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and will be asked to prescribe it. Any other recommendations regarding support at work or school will be discussed with your physician and any fees for this will be agreed prior to starting. how do i get my son assessed for adhd offer assistance and advice for free between appointments by email or phone calls. 3. Go for an assessment The process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can be difficult and often, it's mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health issues. The best way to diagnose ADHD is by having an assessment conducted by a psychiatrist with expertise in the field. There may be a need to wait for an assessment to be conducted by the NHS. Consult your GP to discuss the waiting time. Right to Choose is a new NHS initiative that gives you the option of choosing the organization to which you're recommended. This lets you skip the NHS waiting list, and could make the process much faster. The psychiatrist will ask you to describe your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They'll then conduct an organized clinical assessment using standardised questionnaires. Before your appointment, it may be beneficial to write down some examples and become familiar with the symptoms (traits) of ADHD. It's normal for people to forget their experiences when discussing them. The assessment will include physical examinations as well as interviews with teachers, family members and colleagues. It is essential that the information gathered is accurate and as complete as it can be, so that the psychiatrist will be able to provide the most precise diagnosis. If the psychiatrist suspects that you or your children suffer from ADHD, he will recommend a treatment for adults with ADHD. This will be an additional appointment that could include a range of tests including psychological tests and brain images to determine the severity of ADHD. Some people opt to take a private ADHD evaluation – this is growing in popularity as waiting lists for the NHS continue to increase. There are a variety of organizations in the UK which offer private assessments for ADHD, depending on where you live. You can check out a list of them here, or you can talk to your GP about which option is the best one for you. Private assessments are often quicker than relying on the NHS however, it's crucial to be aware that your health insurance will not pay for the costs. 4. Get a diagnosis ADHD can cause major issues in many areas of life like relationships or work, and an accurate diagnosis can ease these issues. Unfortunately, due to the increasing number of people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to cope and waiting times can be long. Some people opt to pay for their assessment privately. This lets them skip NHS waiting lists and begin treatment earlier. Once you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is putting a treatment plan together. This could be treatment with medication or CBT. It is crucial to consider this prior to when you have your assessment, because it will help you determine what the most effective course of action for you is. Depending on where you reside in the UK, you may be able to access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If this is the case, you must be directed to an expert psychiatrist or paediatrician, who will examine your symptoms and issue an assessment based on NICE 87 guidelines. If you are unable to get a referral from your GP You can refer yourself to an ADHD assessment with a private mental health service. This is usually faster than the NHS route, however it is important to check that your GP is willing to sign the 'Shared Care Agreement' with your private doctor. Your specialist will ask questions regarding your past and current behaviors. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also ask you about how these traits affect your life now. Before you go to an appointment, it is helpful to familiarise yourselves with the criteria used to determine ADHD and to record examples of how these characteristics have affected your life. A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It can result in a variety of treatments and offer an increased sense of self-confidence for those who were previously not diagnosed. It can also lead better relationships and a more fulfilled life.