ADHD Assessments in the UK
Many people struggle to get an ADHD assessment, especially those who are on the NHS. This is due to the fact that the system is struggling to meet the demand.
GPs may ask about symptoms and family history but they aren't capable of diagnosing or conducting an assessment. Only clinicians can perform this.
Symptoms
If you believe that your symptoms may be due to ADHD it is crucial to seek out medical advice. In the UK it is possible to arrange an assessment with a psychiatrist, or a specialist in mental health. It is a formal, formal appointment with a doctor. He will request a complete psychiatric background and determine any other health issues that may be present along with or in addition to ADHD.
During your examination, you will be asked to provide examples of your symptoms and how they affect you. You will be asked to assess your symptoms using a scale. All of the information you provide will be taken into consideration by the psychiatrist when deciding if you're eligible to receive an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. This will be determined by the DSM V criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
You will be asked to give details of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including how long you have been experiencing them and whether they began in the early years of your life. You will be asked about how these symptoms impact your relationships and life.
People with inattention ADHD might struggle to concentrate in class or during an online conference call and miss important information. This could result in relationship tensions or breakdown. Inattention ADHD can cause people who suffer from it to lose items, such as phones, wallets, or keys frequently. This can cause a lot stress as people spend time searching for them, and then delegating their tasks to others.
It is also usual for the psychiatrist to interview family members who know you well and examine old school reports, if they are available. It is sometimes also beneficial to speak to an educator or another educational professional who knows you from the past, particularly in the case of struggling in school.
You will be asked to fill in questionnaires prior to your appointment. You will be asked questions about your life style, mental health, and any previous behavioural issues. In your appointment it is normal for a psychiatrist to examine you. I Am Psychiatry is extremely beneficial in determining ADHD or other health issues.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD isn't easy especially for adults. To receive the best treatment and support, it's crucial to have the right diagnosis. The first step in gaining the correct diagnosis is a professional evaluation. A good psychiatrist will listen to you and assess the symptoms that are causing your difficulties. They will also determine if there are any comorbidities that could be causing your symptoms. ADHD symptoms can cause anxiety and negatively impact your quality of life. They may include difficulties in concentrating, making mistakes, and acting out of the blue. You might also experience difficulties with time management and organisation. These issues can cause problems at school, home or work.
A series of talks will be conducted with the doctor during an assessment. They will ask you questions about your life and medical history, as well as the mental health of your family. They also employ questionnaires and rating scales to determine the extent of your ADHD. To gain more insight, you may be asked to give input from those who know you well. This could include your partner, a family member or a close family member. This helps to ensure that the evaluation is as complete as possible.
If the doctor determines you suffer from ADHD, they will use the diagnostic criteria laid out in the DSM-5 to confirm the diagnosis. They will review your symptoms and how they impact your daily functioning. They will also consider any comorbid disorders you may be suffering from like anxiety or depression.
While the NHS offers excellent services however, delays in assessment can be very frustrating for people who suffer from ADHD. BBC reported recently that some adults waited up to two years before receiving an NHS diagnosis after a referral from their doctor. This is due to the dramatic demand for services and the resulting shortage of capacity as well as some NHS trusts closing their waiting lists completely.
Private ADHD assessments are a more effective method of diagnosing ADHD. While you require an GP referral to be able to access the NHS, you can self-refer to private assessments. Many patients discover that a private diagnosis is more efficient because there are no waiting lists. It also helps to avoid the frustration of waiting for life-altering treatments.
Treatment
After the doctor has completed their assessment, you will be informed of a potential diagnosis and any treatment options. This is usually a medication-based treatment plan. Psychotherapy is also suggested. Psychotherapy can help you learn coping strategies and manage your symptoms so that they don't impact your life in the same way. The medication prescribed is usually a stimulant that improves the transmission of signals between brain cells. The most commonly used form is methylphenidate tablets. It is available as a modified-release tablet or immediate-release which are taken 2 or 3 times a daily. The specialist will explain how long you need to take the medication, however most patients are prescribed it for as long as it is effective.
During the examination the doctor will be asking for opinions from people who know you well, such as co-workers and acquaintances. This will help them gather information that could not have been revealed during your appointment. They will also determine if you have comorbid conditions that are common to ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
If your specialist diagnoses you with ADHD the doctor will write a report which they will send to your GP. They may also suggest a referral to a different specialist for ongoing treatment and support.
The NHS's services have struggled to meet the growing demand for ADHD assessments in recent years according to the BBC reports. This is due in part to the fact that a lot of people don't realize their symptoms are related to ADHD which could lead to them being referred for a different condition like depression or anxiety.
A new taskforce was launched to cut down on waiting times and ensure that patients receive the help they require. The taskforce will bring expertise from different fields and provide integrated solutions. However, targeted investments are also required to increase ADHD services and provide them with the resources they need to meet the demand.
Support
Presently, obtaining an assessment for ADHD within the NHS in the UK can be a lengthy wait. In fact, one programme lead told the BBC that the requests for adult ADHD assessments has increased by 700% over a year, and some areas were experiencing wait times of more than two years. The NHS has been working to tackle this issue, and it recently established a taskforce with the aim of improving access to support for people suffering from ADHD.
This will help reduce the length of time needed for assessments and allow the clinician to refer patients in the most appropriate way. For example, someone who has an ancestral history of ADHD should be referred to their GP for a professional opinion - because, as well as having ADHD they may also have mental health issues related to it.
The NHS offers a variety of ADHD tests for those who are considering seeking medical treatment, or those who have already been diagnosed with the condition. Most often, these assessments are carried out by a psychiatrist or psychologist who is experienced in diagnosing adult ADHD. The process of assessment can last between 45 and 90 minutes, and is typically conducted over the phone or video call.
During the examination, the clinician will talk to you about your experience with ADHD symptoms and your past experiences with them. The clinician will ask you about your mental health condition and any mental health issues that you or your family members have had. It is crucial to talk about all of these issues during the assessment, since it will help the doctor determine if you're suffering from ADHD.
Once the assessment is completed the doctor will decide on a treatment program. It will typically include medication and psychotherapy. It may also involve other support services like peer-support groups and workshops.
If you'd like to get an appointment faster you can go to a private healthcare provider than waiting for the NHS. You can self-refer, or in certain instances, seek your GP's consent. Private healthcare providers provide a more direct access route to specialist mental health services and appointments tend to be faster than NHS ones.