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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 people may be diagnosed with other disorders that better explain their difficulties like anxiety or depression. Your GP should be attentive to your concerns and understand the reasons you think you be suffering from ADHD. Your GP will then refer you to the NHS to conduct an assessment. 1. Consult your GP In England and Wales there is access to an ADHD assessment via the NHS. If medication is recommended for you, you may be able to access it. You will need explain to your GP why you believe you might be suffering from ADHD and the impact it has on your life. Your GP will take this very seriously and ask you to fill out an assessment questionnaire or screening tool prior to referring you to specialists for an evaluation. For adults, it will be especially important to create a list of specific ADHD traits and symptoms you encounter in your daily life, and be prepared to provide examples when you are asked. Your psychiatrist will assist you in determining whether or not you suffer from ADHD and will employ a variety tools and approaches such as symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, as well as interviewing you, your family members and other people who know you well. They will review the information they receive and create an assessment report. They will then discuss with you what their recommendations are and it could be that you have an ADHD diagnosis and, if it is appropriate to begin treatment with medication. If you discover that your GP is unwilling to refer you to an evaluation or doesn't prescribe ADHD medication through the NHS It could be worth seeking out a different GP who will be more accommodating. The charity Psychiatry-UK have some helpful advice about this on their website here. In England you have the legal right to pick the location where you receive an ADHD evaluation, provided that the services you receive are provided by the NHS, and the cost of the service isn't more than the amount you would pay if you went directly to the NHS. If you're unable to make progress with your local CCG or GP, you can contact ICAS to assist you in submitting an appeal to the national Appeal Panel. If you reside in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales the NHS has different guidelines and regulations. You may be able to try accessing services through Right to Choose, and Psychiatry UK has some advice regarding this here. 2. Ask for a referral There are two ways to receive an ADHD assessment, based on where you live. The first is to go through the NHS by asking your GP to refer you. This could be a lengthy process, and you may end up waiting several years to receive an appointment. You can also opt for the 'Right to Choose route. This is a brand new legal right that means that if you feel that the NHS wait times for an ADHD assessment are too long, you can ask to be directed to a private service via this route. If you choose to do this you must inform your GP must be in agreement with this, and sign a'shared care agreement' with the provider that you have chosen. Most GPs are reluctant to sign shared agreements with patients who have been privately diagnosed particularly because they lack the expertise to diagnose ADHD or prescribing the medication it requires. In the majority of cases, you can then book an appointment with a private service that you like. The ADHD specialist will carry out an interview and questionnaire with your child and you (if older than 11) before completing an initial assessment. The specialist will let you know if they believe that your symptoms are related to ADHD or not. After the initial assessment If it is believed that ADHD might be causing your issues, they will usually send you away with some additional questionnaires to fill out for your school or work. They will then arrange a follow up appointment to discuss the findings and explain the diagnosis. The appointment will be a chance to discuss any medication options and if it is decided that medication is appropriate then your GP will be informed and will be asked to prescribe it for you. Any other recommendations regarding support at school or work will be discussed with your physician and any charges are discussed before starting. Many private providers provide advice and assistance for free between appointments, via email or brief phone calls. 3. Get an assessment Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK is not easy and often it's mistakenly diagnosed with other mental health disorders. The best way to confirm a diagnosis of ADHD is with an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist who specializes in the condition. It could take for a while before you can receive an assessment from the NHS. If you're worried about waiting times, talk to your GP about 'Right of Choice', a brand new NHS initiative that gives you the option of choosing the organisation to which you are referred for your evaluation. This allows you to bypass the NHS waiting list and could make the process much faster. When you go for your ADHD assessment, the psychiatrist will take an in-depth account of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They'll then conduct an assessment of your clinical condition using standardised questionnaires. Before your appointment, it can be beneficial to write down examples and familiarise yourself the signs (traits) of ADHD. It is common for people to forget about their experiences when they talk about them. The examination will also include physical examinations and interviews with family members teachers, colleagues and family members. The psychiatrist will need precise and complete information in order to make the best diagnosis. If the psychiatrist believes that you or your children have ADHD then he'll recommend a treatment for adults with ADHD. This is a follow-up appointment that could involve a variety of tests, including psychological tests and brain imaging, to aid in determining the severity of the disorder. how do i get my son assessed for adhd opt to go private to get their ADHD evaluated. This is becoming more common as the NHS waiting lists continue to increase. Depending on where you live in the UK there are many organisations that offer private assessments for ADHD. You can look up a list here, or you can consult your GP about which one would be best for you. Private assessments can be quicker than using the NHS. However, your health insurance won't cover the cost. 4. Get a diagnosis ADHD can cause major issues in a variety of areas such as relationships or work, so an accurate diagnosis can ease these problems. Unfortunately, due to the increase in people who require ADHD assessments, NHS services are struggling to keep up and waiting times can be long. Some people choose to pay privately for their assessment. This allows them to avoid NHS waiting lists and begin treatment earlier. If you've been diagnosed with ADHD the next step is to develop an action plan for treating the disorder. This could be treatment with medication or CBT. This is something you should consider before your assessment. It will help you determine the best course of treatment for you. You may be eligible for an ADHD assessment through the NHS based on where you reside in the UK. If this is the case, you should 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 if you don't have a GP referral. A private mental health professional will conduct an ADHD assessment. This is often quicker than the NHS route, but you must ensure whether your GP has an “Shared Care Agreement” with your private physician. how do i get my son assessed for adhd 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 inquire about how these traits affect your life now. Before attending an appointment, it is beneficial to be familiar with the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and write down examples of how these characteristics have affected your life. A diagnosis of ADHD can transform your life. It can lead to many treatment options and provide an increased sense of self-confidence for adults who had previously been undiagnosed. It can also lead to better relationships and a fulfilled life.