ADHD UK Assessment
If you think you may have ADHD, it is important to talk about it with your GP. They can discuss your symptoms and ask about any other mental health conditions you might be suffering from.
NHS patients in England are legally entitled to choose their mental healthcare provider. This includes access to ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is online adhd assessment uk of the mind that affects how signals are transferred between brain cells. This can lead to issues with learning, organization and paying attention. It can also affect managing issues like self-control and making the right choices more difficult. People with ADHD tend to be angry and discontent, and find it difficult to handle routines and tasks that others consider easy. They may also have emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or low mood.
People suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed or given the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling to cope with the rise in assessments, with some areas having waiting times that exceed two years. According to BBC Freedom of Information requests some have stopped accepting new referrals. This is causing anxiety for those waiting lists, and even despair as they realize they will not receive the diagnosis they need to affect their lives.
Doctors are required to consider the claims made by people who think they have symptoms of ADHD seriously, and refer them for an assessment. They must adhere to NICE guidelines, which require that an assessment be conducted by psychiatrists or a specialist ADHD nurse (or other "appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]).
For people who are already waiting to be considered for an NHS assessment, it's possible to take things into their own hands and request an assessment that is private. This is possible through the Right to Choose path, whereby a person’s GP agrees to recommend them for an ADHD assessment to a preferred provider. To accomplish this, they need to discuss the individual's concerns with them and explain why they'd like an evaluation of their symptoms of ADHD by an expert psychiatrist or ADHD nurse.
Many private ADHD assessment companies offer titration of their medications through the NHS following the assessment. The largest of them is Psychiatry UK, who provide details of how to access their service via Right to Choose, including a downloadable letter that you can give to your GP.
Common Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can affect the ability of a person to focus, their ability to keep control, and manage emotions. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. While a large number of people have these issues however, those who are diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis have issues that are noticeably beyond what is expected for their age or developmental level. These issues can impact their ability to succeed at work and home, and cause problems in relationships.
Inattention occurs when a person struggles to stay focused and engaged. They can easily become distracted and lose their focus. They may also have trouble organizing their thoughts and following directions. Hyperactivity is a typical symptom of ADHD and can involve excessive tapping, fidgeting or talking. Impulsivity refers to a tendency to make decisions without thinking about consequences, or to seek immediate gratification.
Some people suffering from ADHD might have trouble making and maintaining friendships. They might also be frequently criticized by their peers for their naivety and naughtiness. Depression, low self-esteem, or anxiety are also suffered by those with ADHD. The challenges that people with ADHD confront can become more difficult throughout their lives, for instance when they move out of the home they grew up in and into a job or school. Stressors that are new, like relationships, financial pressures and expectations of parents can also impact them.
It is important to speak to your GP when you suspect that you may have ADHD. They can help you decide 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 an 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 other issues, such as anxiety or depression. They will also review any previous reports or assessments and will review your medication.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns of long wait lists for assessments and ADHD services that are struggling to keep up with the demand. We made FOI requests to get information to every NHS trust that offers ADHD services in England to help understand the scope of the problem. We found that people were waiting for an average of more than six months to get an appointment.
ADHD symptoms in Adults
For adults suffering from ADHD, the problems caused by unmanaged symptoms may be even more severe than in children. They may be struggling with relationship issues, career challenges and a general sense of underachievement. They may have trouble keeping their job, adhering to the corporate rules and deadlines. They might also have difficulty managing their finances and end up in debt because of purchases made on impulse. They might have difficulty staying healthy due to a poor diet or a lack of concentration for long periods of time.
It can be more difficult for adults suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated as children, due to the fact that medical professionals may have preconceived ideas about what people with the condition look like. This is particularly relevant if they're someone of color, assigned female at birth or are not a native English speaker. Furthermore, those who suffer from ADHD can be more likely to suffer from mental health issues that mirror the symptoms of ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
The most common sign of adult ADHD is restlessness, which manifests as a lack of concentration and a tendency to sit still. Adults with this condition are also more likely to be anxious and stressed easily, causing them to feel overwhelmed by everyday life events. In addition, they could find it difficult to control their emotions, and could be suffering from anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, as well as mood fluctuations.
In some cases, adults with ADHD may not be aware that they have problems until they are older and experience higher levels of stress and demands. The symptoms may not be evident until after they have left school or the home of their parents. They could remain a source of trouble as they transition into new roles in their work and life.
In an effort to address the delays in getting an NHS ADHD assessment, Nice has approved the use of an electronic test to help speed up diagnosis. The test will be available to psychiatrists and pediatric specialists in England to test six- to seventeen-year-olds. The QbTest will determine if a child teenager has the three primary ADHD characteristics - hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. It will help to improve the outcomes of children suffering from ADHD by reducing the amount of time it takes to diagnose the disorder.
ADHD symptoms in children
If your child's issues are severe enough to cause an impact on their daily functioning, then you may request your GP to refer you to an expert nurse or psychiatrist. You can then get an assessment that is specialized and covers both your mental health as well as ADHD. Nurses and psychiatrists are able to prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.
The test should be semi structured to allow for the elicitation and collection of data on symptoms and impairments, which are critical in determining ADHD. This should include open-ended questions to encourage a open and honest answer, with the assessor using real-life scenarios to probe deeper than the initial "snapshot" clinical impression (which could be false). It is recommended that all DSM symptoms, impairments, and additional criteria are fully explored.
It is essential to ensure that a screening for any other mental health disorders is performed, especially those which can mimic the symptoms of ADHD or are frequently associated with it, such as depression and bipolar disorder. It is also crucial to investigate if there is any history of abuse or substance use disorders, as they could have a major impact on the outcome of an ADHD diagnosis, especially when not treated.
The NHS assessment process is often lengthy and exhausting for people who suffer from ADHD. This is usually due to an inability to understand what is being assessed and the fact that many healthcare professionals have preconceived notions regarding what someone suffering from ADHD "looks like". This can lead to people being misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, and sometimes leads to excessively long wait lists for tests.
The assessment results should be documented in a document that explains if the ADHD assessment criteria were fulfilled. It should also include the diagnosis as well as a discussion of the next steps. (Usually the next step is you should refer your GP to be managed together). This can include a review of the available medication options. It is crucial to remember that the assessment is just the beginning of the treatment journey. It is essential that a discussion of the more general psychosocial and educational aspects of managing ADHD are included in the post-diagnostic discussion which NICE recommends.