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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 lengthy, and people may be diagnosed with other disorders that better explain their difficulties, such as anxiety or depression. Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and understand why you believe you may have ADHD. They will then refer you to an NHS assessment. 1. Check with your GP In England and Wales there is access to the ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is recommended for you, you may be able to access it. website link 'll need to 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 seriously and ask you to fill out a questionnaire or screening tool prior to referring you to an expert for an assessment. Adults should prepare an inventory of the specific ADHD symptoms and traits they encounter on a regular basis. Be prepared to provide examples when you are asked. Your psychiatrist will assist you in determining whether or not you have ADHD, and they will use a range of techniques and methods, including symptom checklists, behavior rating scales, and interviewing you as well as your family members and other people who know you well. They will consider the information they gather and create an account. They will then discuss with you what their recommendation is, which may be that you have an ADHD diagnosis, and if appropriate it is recommended that you begin treatment with medication. There are a few GPs are not willing to refer you for an assessment or will 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 website of Psychiatry-UK offers helpful tips on this subject. In England, you have a legal right to choose the location where your GP suggests you get an ADHD assessment, so long that the service is offered through the NHS and it doesn't cost more than going through the NHS directly. If you are unable to achieve progress with your local CCG, you can ask ICAS to assist you in making an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales the NHS has different guidelines and regulations. You can try to access services through Right to Choose. Psychiatry UK provides some advice regarding this. 2. Ask for a referral Depending on where you live in the UK there are two different ways to receive an ADHD assessment. You can first take advantage of the NHS by asking your GP to refer. This can be a long process, and sometimes you may end up waiting years to get an appointment. You may also opt for the 'Right to Choose” pathway. This is a legal option that permits you to request an appointment with private providers in the event that you believe the NHS waiting time for an ADHD assessment is too long. If you opt to sign this agreement then your GP will need to approve and sign an “shared care agreement” with the service provider you've selected. However, most GPs do not like signing shared care agreements with patients who have been diagnosed privately, particularly because they're not experts in the diagnosis of ADHD and the prescription of the medication. In the majority of cases, you can then make an appointment with a private practitioner that you like. Before completing the initial assessment, the ADHD specialist will interview you and your child, if they are older than 11 years older. The clinician will then give you an accurate indication of whether they think that your symptoms could be due to ADHD, or not. Following the initial assessment, if it is thought that ADHD could be the cause of your problems then they will typically send you an additional questionnaire to complete for your school or workplace. Then, they'll schedule a follow-up appointment with you to discuss their findings and explain the diagnosis. This appointment will be an opportunity to discuss any possible medication options and if it is found that the medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and asked to prescribe it for you. The doctor will also discuss other suggestions regarding assistance at school or at work. Any fees will be discussed prior to beginning. Most private providers offer assistance and advice for free between appointments via email or short phone calls. 3. Take a look at the assessment Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can be difficult and often, it's mistakenly interpreted as other mental health disorders. The best method to obtain a diagnosis of ADHD is with an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist who is specialized in the condition. You might have to wait for an assessment to be completed by the NHS. Consult your GP for advice if you're concerned about the waiting time. Right to Choose is a new NHS initiative that gives you the option of choosing the organization to which you're being referred. This allows you to skip the NHS waiting lists and could make the whole process much faster. When you visit for your ADHD assessment the psychiatrist will collect a detailed history of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will then conduct a structured clinical assessment using standardised questionnaires. Before your appointment, it might be beneficial to note down your experiences and be familiar with the symptoms (traits) of ADHD. It's normal for people to forget about their experiences when they discuss them. The assessment will include a physical exam and interviews with family members, teachers, members and colleagues. It is essential to ensure that the data gathered is as accurate and complete as it can be, so that the psychiatrist will be able to provide the most exact diagnosis. If the psychiatrist believes that you or your children suffer from ADHD then he'll refer you to a service for adults suffering from ADHD. This is a follow-up appointment and may involve various tests, including psychological tests and brain imaging, to aid in determining the severity of the disorder. Some people decide to take a private ADHD evaluation – this is becoming more popular as the waiting lists through the NHS continue to increase. Depending on where you live in the UK, there are many organizations that provide private assessments for ADHD. You can check out a list of them here, or speak to your GP about which option is the best one for you. Private assessments are often quicker than using the NHS however, it's important to understand that your health insurance may not pay for the costs. 4. Get a diagnosis ADHD can cause significant problems in many areas of life like work or relationships, so an accurate diagnosis can aid in addressing these problems. Unfortunately, because of a increasing number of people requiring ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to keep up with demand and wait times can be lengthy. Some individuals choose to pay privately for their assessment. This allows them to bypass NHS waiting lists and start treatment sooner. After you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to formulate an action plan for treating the disorder. This could include CBT or medication. It is important to consider this prior to when you make your assessment because it will help you determine what the best option for you will be. Depending on where you reside in the UK, you may be able access an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If this is the case, you should be referred to an expert psychiatrist or paediatrician who will examine your symptoms and make an assessment based on NICE 87 guidelines. You can self-refer in the event that you don't have a GP referral. A private mental health professional will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is typically faster than the NHS route, but you should check whether your GP has a “Shared Care Agreement” with your private clinician. Your specialist will ask questions about your past and present behaviours. They will look for traits (symptoms) of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. They will also ask you about how these characteristics are affecting your life right now. Before going to an appointment, it's beneficial to be familiar with the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and to record examples of how these characteristics have affected your life. If you're diagnosed with ADHD it can be a life-changing experience. It can lead to a variety of treatment options and provide a greater sense of self-understanding for those who had previously been undiagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and a more fulfilled life.