ADHD UK Assessment
If you think you have ADHD it is essential to discuss the issue with your GP. They will be able to discuss your symptoms and ask about any mental health concerns that you might have.
NHS patients in England have a legal right to select their own mental health provider and team. This includes access to ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a mental health condition that affects the way signals are transmitted between brain cells. This can result in difficulties with learning, organization and paying attention. It can also make managing problems like self-control and making the right choices more difficult. People suffering from ADHD often feel frustrated and irritable, and also have trouble coping with routines and tasks that other people find easy. They may also have emotional issues like depression, anxiety, 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 of more than two years. According to BBC Freedom of Information requests some of them have been refusing new referrals. The Freedom of Information requests reveal that a few doctors have stopped accepting referrals altogether.
They must adhere to NICE guidelines, which require an assessment be carried out by psychiatrists or a specialist ADHD nurse (or another "appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE"appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]). They must follow NICE guidelines, which demand that the assessment be performed by psychiatrists or a specialist ADHD nurse (or another "appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]).
For people who are already on waiting lists for an NHS assessment, it's possible to take things in their own hands and request a private diagnosis. This is possible through the Right to Choose pathway, where a doctor will agree to refer them for an ADHD assessment to the preferred provider. To make this happen the GP needs to discuss with the patient about their concerns and explain why they'd like to be assessed for ADHD symptoms by psychiatrist.
Many private ADHD assessment providers offer titration of medications through the NHS after the assessment. Psychiatry UK is the largest provider, and they offer details on how to use their services via Right to Choose. They also offer a downloadable letter that you can hand to a GP.
Common Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can affect the ability of an individual to focus, maintain control and manage their emotions. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. While many people may struggle with these challenges but those who have the characteristics for an ADHD diagnosis have issues that are noticeably above what is normal for their age or development. These issues can affect their ability to be successful at home and work and create problems in relationships.
Inattention refers to the fact that a person struggles to stay focused and engaged, often getting distracted easily and losing track of what they are doing. They may also have trouble organizing their thoughts and following instructions. Hyperactivity can be a common manifestation of ADHD. It can include excessive fidgeting and talking. Impulsivity is the tendency to act quickly, without thinking about the consequences or seeking immediate satisfaction.
Some people suffering from ADHD may have difficulty making and keeping friends. They might be frequently criticized by others for their forgetfulness and indiscreetness. Low self-esteem, depression or anxiety are also felt by people suffering from ADHD. The challenges that people with ADHD confront can become more difficult throughout their lives, for example when they leave of their home and into work or study. They can be impacted by a variety of new stressors like relationships issues, financial pressures and expectations from parents.
If you think you might be suffering from ADHD If you suspect that you may have ADHD, it is essential to speak to your GP. They can help you determine whether an NHS ADHD assessment is helpful and recommend an appropriate service that meets your needs. This might be an Community Mental Health Service or a specialized Neurodevelopmental Service.
During your appointment, your doctor will ask you questions about your family life and your social life. They will also perform an examination to rule out issues, such as depression or anxiety. They will also review any prior reports, assessments or medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that ADHD services are struggling to cope with demand, and waiting lists for assessment are lengthy. In order to better understand the scale of the issue we sent FOI requests to each NHS trust in England that runs ADHD services. We found that, on average, people are waiting longer than six months to get an appointment.
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
For adults who suffer from ADHD the difficulties caused by unmanaged symptoms may be even more severe than those in children. They may struggle with relationship problems, career difficulties and a general sense of being unfulfilled. They are often struggling to keep their job and adhering to corporate guidelines or meeting deadlines. They might also have difficulty managing their finances and end up in debt as a result of impulsive purchases. They might also have trouble staying healthy due to a poor diet and the inability to sit or concentrate for long periods of time.
It can be harder for adults with ADHD to get diagnosed and treated as children, mainly because medical professionals may have preconceived ideas about what people suffering from the condition appear like. This is especially the case if they're an ethnic minority, assigned female at birth or are not native English speaker. Additionally, people with ADHD can be more likely to suffer from mental health problems that mimic the symptoms of ADHD like depression or anxiety.
The most frequent characteristic of adult ADHD is restlessness, which manifests as a lack of concentration and a tendency to stay still. Adults suffering from this disorder can also be stressed and anxious frequently and feel overwhelmed by everyday life events. I Am Psychiatry may also have trouble controlling their emotions, and suffer from depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
In some instances, adults with ADHD might not realize they have an issue until they are older and are afflicted with increased levels of stress and demand. The signs may not be apparent until they leave school or the home of their parents. They may remain a source of trouble as they move into new roles at work and in life.
In an effort to address the issue of delays in receiving an NHS ADHD assessment, Nice has ratified the use of a digital test to speed up the diagnosis. The test will be available to psychiatrists and specialists for children in England to test the six-to-17-year-olds. The QbTest can identify whether a child or young person has the three primary characteristics of ADHD which are hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It will cut down on the time it takes to determine ADHD and help improve outcomes for children and young adults with the condition.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in Children
If your child's symptoms have an impact on their daily functioning, you can request your GP to refer your child to a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. You can then receive an assessment that is specialized and covers both your mental health as well as ADHD. Nurses or psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat ADHD symptoms.
The assessment should be semi-structured in order to allow for the elicitation of symptom and impairment information that are crucial in determining ADHD. This should include open-ended questions to encourage an open and honest answer, with the assessor using real-life scenarios to probe deeper than the initial'snapshot' clinical impression (which can be inaccurate). It is suggested to look into all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is vital to ensure that a screening for any other mental health disorders is carried out, particularly those which can mimic the symptoms of ADHD or are frequently co-occurring with it, like bipolar disorder and depression. It is also essential to determine if there is any history of abuse or substance use disorders, since they can have a major impact on the outcome of an ADHD diagnosis, particularly if not treated.
The NHS assessment process is often lengthy and exhausting for people with ADHD. It is often due to a lack in clarity regarding what is being assessed, and the fact healthcare professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD "looks like". This can lead to people be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at any or even to unacceptable long waiting lists for assessments.
After the evaluation, the result should be documented clearly in a written report that explains whether or not the ADHD assessment criteria have been satisfied. The report should also include a diagnosis and an explanation of the next steps. (Usually the next step is you should refer your GP to be treated together). This can include a review of the options for medication. It is important to remember that the assessment is just the beginning of the treatment journey, and it is crucial that a discussion of the more general educational and psychosocial aspects of managing ADHD is included in the post-diagnostic discussions which NICE recommends.