How to Get content in the UK
Getting an ADHD assessment can be difficult however it's essential to ensure you follow the correct steps. Talk with your GP about why you believe you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP should be able to take you seriously and ask you to fill in the screening tool.
You can also self-refer to a private health care provider for an ADHD assessment. This is a quicker option than the NHS.
1. Talk to your GP
In the UK there is an increasing awareness of ADHD. However, certain beliefs can make it difficult for people to recognize the symptoms. These can include the perception that ADHD is only a problem for boys, people with certain backgrounds, or those who don't fit the stereotype of someone who has ADHD.
If your GP won't refer you for an evaluation, you should consider finding another - especially in the event that the NHS offers the Right to Choose medication referral. The Psychiatry-UK website has a great guide on this here.
A typical ADHD assessment involves a series meetings with a psychiatrist regarding your symptoms as well as questionnaires. You might also be asked about your family history and what effects your symptoms can have on you. They will also inquire if you have other health problems.
2. Ask your GP to refer you
In England, GPs may refer adults suffering from ADHD to psychiatrists through the "Right to Choose" process. This can allow you to access the NHS faster and cut down the time it takes to wait.
Your GP should listen to your concerns and have open and honest discussions with you about the reasons you think you might have ADHD. They should also talk about other mental health issues that could be affecting your life.
If your doctor decides to refer you to the NHS for an assessment, they should follow NICE guidelines. This includes an interview, questionnaires and a review of your symptoms, family history, and input from others who know you well. A diagnosis will help to receive the support you need including medication and CBT. ADHD medications are stimulants that should only be prescribed by a specialist. If you receive a personal diagnosis from your clinician and they ask your GP to prescribe under the terms of a Shared Care Agreement.
3. Ask your GP to recommend you to a Psychiatrist
ADHD can be a debilitating disorder. It can make it hard to keep up with school, work or social relationships. It can also affect your health and lead to other mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.
The NHS offers specialist ADHD assessments through an assessment process known as Right to Choose (RTC). This is a legal rights that you have as a citizen of England.
You'll see a psychiatrist during your appointment. They will ask you about your symptoms and your family history. Bring documents like performance evaluations or copies of previous psychological tests. They might want to talk to your parents or other people who are familiar with you. Then, they will determine whether you are diagnosed with ADHD. They may recommend that you look into the possibility of medication. They'll also discuss ongoing treatment options, which could include continued private treatment or discharged back to your GP for shared management.
4. Ask your GP to refer you to a Neurodevelopmental Service.
The process of obtaining an ADHD assessment can be long, especially if you live in a location that has a limited number of providers. The NHS psychiatrist will ask you questions to assess the severity of your symptoms and talk to you about your problems. They may ask you to describe your behaviour or ask someone who knows you well, such as your spouse, sibling, or your parents if you're an adult. This could give you the kind of personal insight that is not available through questionnaires.
After you've received your diagnosis, the doctor will provide a report your GP. If your GP accepts the 'Shared Care Agreement', they'll make arrangements for you to start treatment on the NHS. This will include prescription medications and CBT therapy. This can take some time and the NHS is under pressure and resources are limited.
5. Ask your GP for the referral to a child psychiatrist
A professional ADHD assessment can provide huge relief. It can help you understand that your or your child's symptoms are a result of an illness that affects the brain, not a result of a personal failure, reducing feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt.
The psychiatrist will collect information from a questionnaire or an interview with your family members as well as teachers and other people who are familiar with you. They will then create the results of their investigation and any potential diagnosis. You will then be provided with a treatment plan that may include medication or CBT.
If you are an adult in England you may also choose to be recommended by your GP through the Right To Choose scheme to an individual clinic. This is less expensive and faster than waiting for an NHS referral. However, you'll be paying for the exam yourself.
6. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service.
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist for you or your child if he believes they may are suffering from ADHD. A clinical diagnosis will allow you to access reasonable adjustments and DSA. It can also be useful for establishing whether medication would be beneficial.
The NHS provides guidelines for how to evaluate and diagnose ADHD. The procedure involves an interview with psychiatrists, a review of medical and developmental history, and questionnaires. Family members and other individuals who know you well could be questioned as well.
Children and adults must exhibit symptoms in two or more settings, like school or at home, and the symptoms cause impairment. The behaviour cannot be better explained by a different mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. The diagnosis is usually performed by a psychiatrist. A private evaluation will follow the same process, however the specialist will also look for any comorbid conditions.
7. Ask Additional Info for an appointment with a child psychiatrist
You will need to consult a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis and assessment if you wish to try treatment. They will request you to fill out 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 GP will be able to refer you to the NHS Psychiatrist service if they are of the opinion that you require an ADHD assessment. Alternately adults in England now have the legal right to choose their own mental health healthcare provider and can opt for private assessments without a GP referral.
A private ADHD assessment includes a psychotherapy consultation with a specialist psychiatrist as well as questionnaires, such as checklists of symptoms and behaviour rating scales. Family members or anyone else who knows you well may be requested as well.
8. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service
If you suspect that your child has ADHD or are concerned about their behavior, it's important to speak to your GP. Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and refer you for an assessment with the NHS.
The NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland follows NICE guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. In Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network Guidelines (SIGN) are followed.
The NHS in England has a system known as 'Right To Choose', which means that you have the legal right to choose where you receive your treatment and assessments. However, it can still be difficult to find organizations that meet the requirements for this. Many patients prefer having their tests or treatments done privately. If you opt for this option your doctor must write to your GP and provide paperwork for a Shared-Care Agreement. You will have to pay for your medication privately, while the NHS should cover CBT.
9. Ask your GP for an appointment with a child psychiatrist
In the NHS it can take a while to get an assessment. The NHS mental health specialists work under a lot of stress, and resources are limited. In addition it can be difficult to navigate the complexities of the NHS system.
A private ADHD assessment is quicker. It will include a clinical interview with a specialist in adult ADHD. This will include your medical history and developmental milestones, your family history, and your current symptoms. Self-report questionnaires are also used to collect information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily activities. People who know you well, for example siblings, spouses, or a close friend, can be gathered to provide additional information.
It's important to mention that citizens in England have a legal right to choose the provider they use for NHS assessments by following the 'Right of Choice' pathway. This can reduce wait times.
10. Ask your GP to refer you to a Child Neurodevelopmental Service.
The process of getting an NHS diagnosis is relatively easy. You'll need to ask your GP to refer you to an ADHD specialist and wait for the test.
You will be scheduled for a clinical consultation with an expert. They will ask you about your medical history along with developmental milestones, your family history as in addition to the symptoms you are experiencing. You may be asked to complete symptom checklists or ask for feedback from people who know your condition.
If your GP isn't willing to make an appointment for you to be assessed you should consider seeking an alternative GP particularly if you plan on applying for an Shared Care Agreement with the NHS for medication down the road. Psychiatry UK offers some useful advice for you. You can also contact private assessment providers directly.