ADHD UK Assessment
If you think you have ADHD it is essential to discuss this with your GP. They can discuss your symptoms and ask about any other mental health issues you may have.
NHS patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare provider and team. This includes accessing ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a mental illness that affects the way signals are transmitted between brain cells. This can lead to problems with learning, organisation and paying attention. It can also make managing issues like self-control and making the right choices more difficult. People suffering from ADHD often feel frustrated and angry, and have difficulty completing routines and tasks that others can manage easily. They may also experience emotional issues like anxiety, depression or low mood.
Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed, or receive the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling with the increase in the demand for tests. Some areas have waiting times that exceed two years. According to BBC Freedom of Information requests some of them have been refusing new referrals. This is causing frustration for those who are waiting lists, and some even feel depressed when they realize that they will not receive the diagnosis they need to have any impact on their lives.
They must adhere to NICE guidelines, which require that the assessment is conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist ADHD nurse (or any other "appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]). They must follow NICE guidelines that require that the assessment be conducted by an expert ADHD nurse or psychiatrist (or any other "appropriately-qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]).
For people who are already waiting to be considered for an NHS assessment, it is possible to take things in their own hands and request an assessment that is private. This is possible through the Right to Choose pathway, where a doctor agrees to make a referral for an ADHD assessment to the preferred provider. To do this the GP needs to discuss with the patient their concerns and explain why they'd like to be assessed for ADHD symptoms by psychiatrist.
There are a variety of providers offering private ADHD assessments, some offering titration for medication through the NHS after the assessment. The largest is Psychiatry UK, who provide details of how to access their services through Right to Choose, including a downloadable letter that you can give to your GP.
Common signs of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can affect a person's focus, ability to maintain control and manage emotions. Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are just a few symptoms. While a lot of people struggle with these issues, those diagnosed with ADHD have problems that are significantly beyond what is expected of their age or level of development. These issues can hinder their ability to succeed at work and home and can cause issues in relationships.
Inattention is when a person struggles to remain focused and engaged, often getting distracted easily and losing the focus of what they are doing. They may also have difficulty planning and following directions. Hyperactivity is a typical symptom of ADHD and can involve excessive tapping, fidgeting or talking. Impulsivity refers to a tendency to act without considering consequences, or to want immediate satisfaction.
People with ADHD can find it difficult to make and keep friends and are often judged by other people for their lack of attention or naughtiness. Depression, low self-esteem or anxiety can also be felt by people suffering from ADHD. The challenges that people with ADHD encounter can grow throughout their lives, for example when they leave of the home they grew up in and into work or study. New stressors, such as relationships, financial pressures and expectations from parents can also impact them.
It is crucial to speak with your GP if you suspect you might have ADHD. They can help you determine whether an NHS ADHD assessment is helpful and suggest a service suitable for your needs. This could be a Community Mental Health Service or a specialised Neurodevelopmental Service.
During the consultation your doctor will take a detailed account of your medical history and present issues. They will inquire about your family and social activities. They will also carry out an examination to rule out any other issues, like depression and anxiety. They will also review any previous reports, assessments or medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that ADHD services are struggling to cope with demand and waiting lists for assessments are lengthy. In order to better understand the scale of the issue we sent FOI requests to each NHS trust in England which runs ADHD services. We found that on average, people wait more than six months for an appointment.
ADHD symptoms in Adults
For adults who suffer from ADHD the issues caused by untreated symptoms could be more serious than for children. psych assessment for adhd may have issues with relationships issues, career challenges and a general feeling of under-achievement. They are unable to keep a job, following corporate rules or meeting deadlines. They might also be unable to manage their finances effectively and fall into debt due to the impulsive spending. They might have difficulty staying healthy due to a poor diet or the inability to sit or focus for long periods of time.
Adults with ADHD are more difficult to diagnose and treat than children. This is primarily because medical experts have preconceived notions about the way people with ADHD look. This is especially true when the patient is of color, was a female at birth, or does not speak English natively. Furthermore, those with ADHD are more likely to have mental health problems that mimic the symptoms of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
Adult ADHD is characterized by a lack of rest and an inability or unwillingness to remain still. Adults suffering from this disorder also tend to feel stressed and anxious frequently which causes them to feel overwhelmed by daily events. In addition, they may struggle to manage their emotions, and could be suffering from anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, as well as mood swings.
Adults with ADHD might not be aware of their condition until they reach their adulthood and experience more stress and demands. The signs may not be evident until after they have left school or the home of their parents. They may remain a source of trouble when they take on new roles in their work and life.
To address the delay in obtaining an NHS ADHD assessment, Nice has approved the use of a digital test to help speed up diagnosis. It will be accessible to psychiatrists and specialist doctors for children in England to test the six-to-17-year-olds. The QbTest can identify whether the child or young person is suffering from the three main signs of ADHD which are hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It will reduce the time needed to identify ADHD and improve the outcomes for children and young adults with the disorder.
Symptoms of ADHD in Children
If your child's symptoms are severe enough to cause an impact on their daily life You can seek out your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. You can then have a specialist assessment that covers the overall mental health of your child and the assessment of ADHD. Nurses or psychiatrists may prescribe medication to treat ADHD symptoms.
The assessment should be semi-structured to allow for the elicitation and collection of information regarding symptoms and impairments, which are critical in the diagnosis of ADHD. The assessment should contain open-ended questions that are honest and encourage the ability to give a genuine answer. The assessor can use real-life examples in order to go deeper than an "snapshot" impression of the clinical. It is recommended to investigate all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is essential to check for any other mental disorders, especially ones that mimic ADHD symptoms or are often associated with it, such as depression and bipolar disorder. It is also important to determine whether there is a history of substance misuse or eating disorders, as these can have major impacts on the outcome of a diagnosis of ADHD especially if they are not treated.
The NHS assessment process can be long and frustrating for people with ADHD. It is usually caused by the lack of clarity on the criteria for assessment and also the fact that many healthcare professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD "looks like". This can lead to people being misdiagnosed or not being diagnosed in the first place, and often results in excessively long wait lists for tests.
The result of the assessment should be documented in a document that explains whether the ADHD assessment criteria were met. It should also document the diagnosis in its entirety, and a discussion about the next steps (usually the referral to your GP for shared management). This can include an overview of the available medications. It is crucial to remember that the assessment is just the beginning of the management process, and it is essential to ensure that discussions about the more general psychosocial and educational aspects of managing ADHD are included in the post-diagnostic discussions that NICE recommends.