ADHD UK Assessment
It is crucial to speak with your GP if you suspect you have ADHD. They will be able to discuss your symptoms and ask about any mental health issues that you might have.
NHS patients in England have the legal right to select their own mental health provider and team. This includes accessing ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a mental health condition which affects the way signals are passed between brain cells. This can lead to problems in learning, organization and paying attention. It can also affect managing issues like self-control and making the right choices more difficult. People suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed and irritable, and also have trouble coping with routines and tasks that others are able to complete. They may also be struggling with emotional issues, like low mood, anxiety and depression.
Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed, or they receive the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling to handle the growing assessments and some areas have waits longer than two years. Some have stopped accepting new referrals altogether according to BBC's Freedom of Information requests. This is causing frustration for people who are already on waiting lists, and even despair as they realize they will not receive the diagnosis they need to have any impact on their life.
They must adhere to the NICE guidelines, which require that an assessment be carried out by psychiatrists or a specialist ADHD nurse (or other "appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]). They must adhere to NICE guidelines, which require that the assessment be carried out by an expert ADHD nurse or psychiatrist (or any other "appropriately-qualified healthcare professional" (NICE)).
For people who are already on waiting lists for an NHS assessment, it is possible to take matters to their own and request an individual diagnosis. This can be done through the Right to Choose pathway, where a person's GP will agree to refer them for an ADHD assessment to their preferred provider. To achieve this, they must discuss the person's concerns with them and explain that they would like an assessment of the symptoms of ADHD by a psychiatrist or specialist ADHD nurse.
There are a variety of providers offering private ADHD assessments, with some offering titration for medication through the NHS following the assessment. The largest is Psychiatry UK, who provide details on how to access their service via Right to Choose, including a downloadable letter that you can hand to your GP.
Common symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can affect a person's focus, ability to keep control, and their ability to manage their emotions. Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are all symptoms of ADHD. While a lot of people have these issues but those who have the characteristics for an ADHD diagnosis experience problems that are clearly above what is normal for their age or developmental stage. These issues impact their ability to perform at home and at work and can cause problems in relationships.
Inattention is when a person has difficulty staying focused and engaged. They can easily become distracted and lose track of what they're doing. They might also have difficulty planning and following instructions. Hyperactivity is a frequent symptom of ADHD and can be characterized by excessive tapping, fidgeting or talking. The term "impulsivity" refers to the tendency to act without thinking about consequences, or to want instant gratification.
Certain people with ADHD may have difficulty making and keeping friends. They may also be constantly criticized by other people for their lack of attention and naughtiness. They can also suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. The challenges people with ADHD face can increase throughout their lives, for example, when they move out of the home they grew up in and into school or work. New stressors, like relationships, financial pressures and expectations of parents can also impact them.
If you think you might have ADHD, it is important to talk to your GP. They can help you decide whether an NHS ADHD assessment would be helpful and suggest a treatment that is suitable for your needs. This could be a Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During your appointment, your doctor will ask you questions about your family life and social life. They will also conduct an examination to rule out any other conditions, such as anxiety and depression. They will also review any prior reports, assessments or medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that ADHD services are struggling to meet demand and waiting lists for assessment are long. We made FOI requests to get information to each NHS trust that provides ADHD services in England to try to understand the magnitude of the issue. We found that patients were waiting on average more than six months before getting an appointment.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults
For adults suffering from ADHD the issues caused by the unmanaged symptoms can be more severe than those in children. They may struggle with relationship issues, career problems, and a general feeling of underachievement. They may have difficulty keeping their job and adhering to corporate guidelines or meeting deadlines. They may also not be able to manage their finances properly and end up in debt due to excessive spending. They might have difficulty staying healthy because of an unhealthy diet or a lack of concentration for long periods of time.
It is more difficult for adults with ADHD to get diagnosed and treated than in children, in part because medical professionals may have preconceived notions about what people suffering from the condition appear to be. This is especially true if the person is of color, was not a female at birth, or doesn't speak English natively. Additionally, add adhd assessment with ADHD can be more likely to suffer from mental health issues that mirror the symptoms of ADHD like anxiety or depression.
The most common symptom of adult ADHD is restlessness, which manifests itself as a lack of concentration and a tendency to sit still. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to feel stressed and anxious, which can make them feel overwhelmed by everyday things. In addition, they could have difficulty controlling their emotions and might be suffering from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or mood fluctuations.
In some cases, adults with ADHD may not be aware that they have a problem until they reach adulthood and experience higher levels of stress and demands. The signs may not be evident until after they leave school or at the home of their parents. They could continue to cause problems when they take on new roles in their work and life.
In assessed for adhd to address the delays in getting an NHS ADHD assessment, Nice has approved the use of a digital test to speed up diagnosis. It will be made available to psychiatrists and specialist doctors for children in England to test six- to 17-year-olds. The QbTest can identify if a child or teen has the three main ADHD traits - hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. It can improve the outcome of children suffering from ADHD by reducing the amount of time it takes to diagnose the disorder.
The signs of ADHD in Children
If your child's symptoms have significant effects on their the way they live, you could request your GP to refer your child to a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. You can then have a specialist assessment that covers overall mental health and the assessment of ADHD. Psychiatrists and nurses can also prescribe medication to help with the symptoms of ADHD.
The assessment should be structured in a semi-structured manner to allow for an elicitation of symptom and impairment data which is crucial in determining ADHD. The test should be open-ended questions that allow for the ability to give a genuine answer. The assessor can use real-life examples in order to probe deeper than a "snapshot" clinical impression. It is recommended to explore all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is important to screen for other mental disorders, especially those that can be akin to ADHD symptoms or are frequently associated with it with depression, for example bipolar disorder. It is also worth exploring whether there is any history of substance abuse or an eating disorder, as these can have major impacts on the outcome of a diagnosis of ADHD especially if left untreated.
The NHS assessment process is often long and frustrating for those with ADHD. This is usually due to a lack of clarity regarding the criteria for assessment and the fact that healthcare professionals have preconceived notions about what an individual with ADHD "looks like". This can lead to people being misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, and also causes excessively long wait lists for tests.
The result of the assessment should be documented in a written report that explains if the ADHD assessment criteria were fulfilled. The report should also include the diagnosis in its entirety, and a discussion about the next steps (usually an appointment with your GP for shared management). This could include a review of the available medication options. It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis is only the start of the management process, and it is essential that a discussion about the larger educational and psychosocial aspects of managing ADHD is included in the post-diagnostic conversation that NICE recommends.