ADHD Assessments in the UK
Many people are unable to get an ADHD assessment, particularly those who are on the NHS. This is due to the fact that the system struggles to meet the demand.
GPs may ask about symptoms and the family history, but they are not able to diagnose or perform an assessment. Only clinicians can perform this.
Symptoms
If you think that your symptoms may be due to ADHD it is essential to seek medical advice. In the UK, you can arrange to see an experienced psychiatrist who is a specialist in mental illness. It is a formal, structured appointment with a doctor who will take a full medical history and determine any other health issues that may be present in addition to or instead of ADHD.
During your examination, you will be asked to provide examples of your symptoms and how they affect you. You will be asked to rate your symptoms on an appropriate scale. All of this information will be considered by the psychiatrist when deciding if you're eligible for an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. This will be determined based on the DSM V criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
You will be asked for specific details about the symptoms you are experiencing, including how long you've been experiencing them, and whether they started in childhood. You will also be asked to describe how these symptoms impact on your life and relationships particularly when you are at work or in high-stress situations.
For instance, a person with attention-deficit ADHD symptoms may find it difficult to concentrate in class or on an online conference call and will often miss out on important information. This can result in relationship tensions or breakdown. Inattentive ADHD can cause people who suffer from it to lose their belongings, such as phones, wallets, or keys frequently. This can cause a lot stress since people have to spend a lot of time looking for them and delegating their tasks to others.
The psychiatrist will also interview relatives and review old school reports if available. Sometimes, it is beneficial to speak to an educator or another educational professional who is familiar with you from the past, especially when you've had a difficult time at school.
You will be asked to fill in questionnaires prior to your appointment. These will ask you about your habits and mental health and will include questions about any behavioural problems that you've had in the past. In your appointment it is common for a psychiatrist to examine you. This can be extremely helpful in identifying ADHD or other health issues.
Diagnosis
Finding a diagnosis for ADHD isn't easy particularly for adults. To receive the best treatment and support it is essential to get the right diagnosis. A professional assessment is the initial step towards obtaining the proper diagnoses. A good psychiatrist will listen and analyze your symptoms. They will also look for any comorbid conditions that could be causing your symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD can impact your quality of life and cause stress. These symptoms include difficulties concentrating, making careless errors and acting impulsively. You might also experience difficulties with time management and organisation. These issues can cause problems at school, at work or in your personal life.
An assessment will involve a series of conversations with the doctor. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle 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. Information from people who are familiar with you such as a spouse, relative or close friend, could be sought to gain additional information. This ensures that the evaluation is as accurate as possible.
If the doctor determines you suffer from ADHD they will employ the diagnostic criteria laid out in the DSM-5 to confirm the diagnosis. They will review your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will also take into consideration any other disorders that you may be suffering from like anxiety or depression.
While the NHS offers a great service, delays to assessments can be frustrating for people who suffer from ADHD. The BBC recently reported that a number of adults are waiting up to two years to receive an NHS diagnosis after being diagnosed by their GPs. This is due to the massive increase in demand and the limited capacity as well as some NHS trusts closing their waiting lists completely.
Fortunately online adhd assessment offer an easier method of diagnosis. You do not need a GP's referral to access NHS services, but you can self-refer yourself for private assessments. Many patients discover that a private diagnosis is faster because there are no wait lists. They can also avoid the frustration of waiting for life-altering treatments.
Treatment
After the specialist has completed their examination, you will be informed of a potential diagnosis and treatment options. This is typically a medication treatment plan, though psychotherapy is also offered. Psychotherapy can help you develop coping skills and help you manage your symptoms so that they do not adversely affect your life. The medication prescribed is usually stimulant that enhances the transmission of brain cells. It's usually taken in tablet form, with methylphenidate being the most common. It is available as an immediate-release or modified-release tablets and taken two or three times per day. The doctor will explain how long you need to take the medication, but the majority of patients are prescribed for so long as they are effective.
During the examination, your specialist will likely be asking for opinions from people who know you well including colleagues and family members. This will help them gather corroborative information that may not have been disclosed during your appointment. They will also determine if you have comorbid conditions that are common to ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
If your specialist determines that you have ADHD, they will draft a report that they will submit to your GP. They might also suggest the referral to a specialist to provide ongoing support and care.
The NHS's services have had a difficult time to keep up with the demand for ADHD assessments in recent years according to the BBC reports. This is partly due to the fact that many people aren't aware that their symptoms are related to ADHD and can cause them to be referred for a different condition like depression or anxiety.
A new taskforce was created to cut down on waiting times and ensure that patients receive the assistance they need. The taskforce will bring together expertise across different sectors and offer integrated solutions. But targeted investment is needed to expand ADHD and give the resources that are required to meet the demand.
Support
The NHS in the UK has a long wait for ADHD assessments. In fact, a system programme director told the BBC that the amount of requests for adult ADHD assessments has increased by 700% over one year, and that some areas were experiencing wait times of more than two years. The NHS has been working to tackle this issue and recently established a taskforce with the goal of enhancing access to support for people suffering from ADHD.
This will help reduce the time it takes to complete evaluations, and allow clinicians to ensure that patients are referred in the most appropriate manner. For instance, a person who has a family history of ADHD should be referred by their GP to a specialist opinion, due to the fact that, in addition to having ADHD the majority of these people have related mental health problems.
The NHS offers a variety of ADHD tests for those who are contemplating seeking medical treatment, or those who have been diagnosed with the condition. These assessments are usually performed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other specialist who has expertise in diagnosing adult ADHD. The assessment process can take between 45 and 90 minutes, and it is usually conducted over the phone or video call.
During the assessment the clinician will ask you about your history of ADHD symptoms and previous experiences with them. The counselor will ask you about your mental health and any mental health issues you or your family have experienced. It is important that you discuss these issues during the assessment. This will allow the doctor to determine if you are suffering from ADHD.
The doctor will determine the treatment plan after the evaluation. It will typically include psychotherapy and medication. It may also involve other support services such as peer-support groups and workshops.
If you'd like to receive an assessment faster you can go to a private healthcare provider rather than wait for the NHS. This is possible through self-referral - or, in some cases, with the consent of your physician. Private healthcare providers provide the direct access to specialist mental care. These appointments are typically shorter than NHS ones.