ADHD UK Assessment
If you think you have ADHD, it is important to discuss the issue with your GP. They can discuss with you your symptoms and inquire about any mental health conditions that you may have.
NHS patients in England have a legal right to choose their own mental healthcare provider and team. This includes access to ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is mental illness that affects the way that signals are transmitted between brain cells. This can cause difficulties with learning, organisation and paying attention. It can also make it more difficult to manage issues like problems with self-control or making good choices. People suffering from ADHD often feel frustrated and angry, and have trouble coping with routines and tasks that others are able to complete. They may also experience emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or low mood.
Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed or they receive the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling to cope 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 has caused a lot of frustration for people who are already waiting on wait lists, and sometimes despair as they realize they won't receive a diagnosis in time to have any impact on their life.
Doctors are required to consider the claims made by people who suspect they suffer from symptoms of ADHD seriously and refer them to an assessment. They must adhere to NICE guidelines that require that an assessment be carried out by a specialist ADHD psychiatrist or nurse (or any other "appropriately-qualified healthcare professional" (NICE)).
For those who are waiting to be considered for an NHS assessment, it's possible to take matters into their own hands and request an assessment that is private. This can be done via the Right to Choose pathway, where a person's GP will agree to refer them for an ADHD assessment to their preferred healthcare provider. To achieve this, they must discuss the concerns of the patient with them and explain why they'd like an evaluation of the symptoms of ADHD by an expert psychiatrist or ADHD nurse.
Many private ADHD assessment companies offer titration of medication through the NHS after the assessment. The largest is Psychiatry UK, who provide details on how to access their service via Right to Choose, including the downloadable letter you can hand to your GP.
adhd assessment of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can impact a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. The symptoms are hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. While a large number of people struggle with these challenges, those who have the characteristics for an ADHD diagnosis experience problems that are significantly over the norm for their age or developmental level. These issues can impact their ability to be successful at home and work, and cause problems in relationships.
Inattention occurs when someone struggles to stay focused and focused. They can easily become distracted and lose the track of what they're doing. They may also have difficulties planning and following directions. Hyperactivity is a typical manifestation of ADHD. It can include excessive fidgeting or speaking. Impulsivity refers to a tendency to act without thinking about consequences, or to want instant gratification.
People suffering from ADHD can find it difficult to make and keep friends and are often judged by other people for their forgetfulness or naughtiness. They may 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, such as relationship problems, financial pressures and expectations of parents can also impact them.
It is important to speak to your GP if you suspect you may have ADHD. They can assist you in deciding whether an NHS ADHD assessment would be beneficial and can refer you to a service that is suited to your needs. This could be a Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During your consultation your doctor will ask you questions about your family life and social life. They will also perform an examination to rule other conditions such as depression or anxiety. They will also look over any previous reports or assessments and examine your medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns of long waiting lists for assessment and ADHD services that are struggling to keep up with the demand. In an attempt to grasp the extent of the issue we sent FOI requests to each NHS trust in England that runs ADHD services and found that, on average, people wait longer than six months to get an appointment.
ADHD symptoms in adults
For adults suffering from ADHD the difficulties caused by the unmanaged symptoms can be even more severe than those in children. They may struggle with relationship issues, career problems and a general feeling of being unfulfilled. They have difficulty keeping their job, adhering to the corporate rules, or meeting deadlines. They may also be unable to manage their finances properly and get into debt due to impulsive spending. They may have trouble staying healthy because of an unhealthy diet or a lack of concentration for long periods of time.
Adults with ADHD are more difficult to treat and diagnose than children. This is primarily because medical professionals have preconceived notions of the way people with ADHD look. This is especially true if they are someone of color, assigned female at birth or not a native English speaker. Moreover, adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have mental health problems that mimic the symptoms of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
Adult ADHD is characterised by a sense of restlessness and a reluctance to remain still. Adults with ADHD are more likely to feel stressed and anxious and feel overwhelmed by everyday things. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions, and are afflicted with depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
Adults with ADHD may not be aware of their condition until they reach their adulthood, when they experience increased pressure and stress. Symptoms might not become apparent until they leave school or parents' homes and may be causing them issues as 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 an electronic test to speed up diagnosis. It will be made available to psychiatrists and specialist pediatric doctors in England to assess between six and 17 years old. The QbTest can identify whether the child or young person has the three main characteristics of ADHD - inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It will help to improve the outcomes of children suffering from ADHD by reducing the time it takes to diagnose the disorder.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in children
If your child's problems are severe enough to cause an impact on their daily functioning and daily activities, you can ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. You will then be able to receive an assessment by a specialist that includes both your mental health and ADHD. Psychiatrists or nurses may prescribe medication to treat ADHD symptoms.
The assessment should be structured in a semi-structured manner to permit the collection of impairment and symptom data which is crucial for diagnosing ADHD. The assessment should include open-ended questions that allow for the ability to give a genuine answer. The assessor may use real-life examples in order to get a deeper understanding than a "snapshot" impression of the clinical. It is recommended to explore all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is crucial to ensure that a screening for any other mental health disorders is conducted, especially those which can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, or are commonly co-occurring with it, like depression and bipolar disorder. It is also important to determine if there is a past of abuse or substance use disorders, as they could affect the outcomes of an ADHD diagnosis, especially when untreated.
The NHS assessment process can be lengthy and exhausting for people who suffer from ADHD. It is usually caused by a lack of clarity about what is being assessed and also the fact that many healthcare professionals have preconceived notions about what a person with ADHD 'looks like'. This can result in people being misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed in the first place, and often causes lengthy waiting lists for evaluations.
After the assessment the results should be clearly documented in an official report that explains whether or not the ADHD assessment criteria have been satisfied. It should also document the diagnosis, and a discussion about the next steps (usually the referral to your GP for shared management). This may include a discussion of the options for medication. It is crucial to remember that the test is only the start of the management journey, and it is also crucial that a discussion of the wider psychosocial and educational aspects of managing ADHD is included in the post-diagnostic discussion which NICE recommends.