ADHD UK Assessment
If you think you have ADHD It is crucial to talk about it with your GP. They can discuss with you your symptoms and inquire about any mental health issues that you may have.
NHS patients in England are legally allowed to choose their own mental healthcare provider. This includes access to ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a mental illness that affects the way signals are transmitted between brain cells. This can result in issues with learning, organization, and paying attention. It can also affect managing issues like self-control and making the right decisions more difficult. People with ADHD are often irritable and angry, and find it difficult to cope with routines and tasks that others consider easy. They may also be struggling with feelings like anxiety, low mood and depression.
People with ADHD are often misdiagnosed or receive the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling with the rise in the demand for tests. Some areas have waiting times that exceed two years. Some have stopped accepting new referrals according to BBC's Freedom of Information requests. The BBC's Freedom of Information requests reveal that a few doctors have stopped accepting referrals completely.
GPs are required to take the claims made by those who believe they are suffering from symptoms of ADHD seriously, and refer them to an assessment. They must adhere to NICE guidelines which require that an assessment be performed by a specialist ADHD nurse or psychiatrist (or any other "appropriately-qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]).
Patients who are on the NHS waiting list are able to request a private assessment. This can be done through the Right to Choose pathway, when a patient's doctor agrees to make a referral for an ADHD assessment to their preferred provider. To achieve this, they must discuss the individual's concerns with them and explain why they'd like to have an assessment of the symptoms of ADHD by a psychiatrist or specialist ADHD nurse.
There are many providers of private ADHD assessments, some offering titration to medications through the NHS after the assessment. The most popular is Psychiatry UK, who provide information on how to use their service through Right to Choose, including an online letter that you can present to your GP.
Common signs of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can affect the ability of an individual to focus and control their emotions. Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are all symptoms. While a lot of people struggle with these problems, those diagnosed with ADHD have problems that are far beyond what is expected of their age or developmental level. These issues can affect their ability to succeed at work and home and can cause issues in relationships.
Inattention refers to the fact that one is unable to stay focused and on task frequently getting distracted and losing track of what they are doing. They might also have difficulty organizing their thoughts and following directions. Hyperactivity is a typical symptom of ADHD and can manifest as excessive fidgeting, tapping or talking. Impulsivity is a tendency to act quickly, without thinking about the consequences or pursuing immediate satisfaction.
People with ADHD may have difficulty to keep and make friends and are often ridiculed by others for their lack of attention or naughtiness. They can also experience low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. People who suffer from ADHD can face difficulties throughout their lives. For example, when they leave the family home to work or study. They can be impacted by a variety of new stresses, such as relationship issues financial pressures, expectations from parents.
If you think you might have ADHD If you suspect that you may have ADHD, it is essential to talk with your GP. They can help you decide whether an NHS ADHD assessment would be helpful and refer you to a service that meets your needs. This could be an Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During your appointment your doctor will ask you questions regarding your family life as well as 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, assessments or medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that ADHD services are struggling to handle demand, and waiting lists for assessments are long. We sent FOI requests for information to every NHS trust that offers ADHD services in England to try to understand the extent of the problem. We found that people were waiting for an average of more than six months before getting an appointment.
ADHD symptoms in Adults
For adults who suffer from ADHD, the problems caused by the unmanaged symptoms can be even more serious than for children. They may be struggling with relationship issues, career challenges and a general sense of underachievement. They are unable to keep a job, following the corporate rules and deadlines. They may also not be able to manage their finances effectively and get into debt due to excessive spending. They might have difficulty maintaining their health due to a poor diet and an inability to sit or concentrate for long periods of time.
Adults with ADHD may be harder to treat and diagnose than children. This is primarily due to the fact that medical professionals have preconceived notions of how people with ADHD look. This is particularly true if the patient is of color, was a female at birth, or doesn't speak English natively. Adults with ADHD are more likely to experience mental health issues that resemble ADHD symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
Adult ADHD is characterised by a sense of restlessness and an inability or unwillingness to be still. Adults with ADHD are more likely to feel stressed and anxious and feel overwhelmed by everyday events. In addition, they could struggle to manage their emotions and may suffer from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem or mood fluctuations.
In some cases, adults with ADHD may not realise they have problems until they reach the age of adulthood and experience higher levels of stress and demands. Symptoms might not become apparent until they leave school or their parents' house, and might be causing them issues when they begin to take on new roles at work and in life.
Nice has approved the use of a computerized test in an effort to cut down on the time it takes to get an NHS ADHD assessment. The test will be accessible to psychiatrists and pediatric specialists in England to assess six- to seventeen-year-olds. The QbTest is able to determine if a child or teenager has the three primary ADHD traits - hyperactivity, inattention, and the tendency to be impulsive. It can improve the outcome of children suffering from ADHD by reducing the time it takes to diagnose the condition.
ADHD symptoms in children
If your child's symptoms are having an impact on their your child's daily life, you could ask your GP to refer your child to a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. You can then have an assessment with a specialist who will cover overall mental health and the evaluation of ADHD. Nurses and psychiatrists are able to prescribe medication to help with the symptoms of ADHD.
The assessment should be structured in a semi-structured manner to allow for the elicitation of impairment and symptom data that are crucial for diagnosing ADHD. The assessment should be open-ended to encourage a open and honest response, as well as the examiner using real-world examples to explore more than the initial clinical impression (which can be false). It is recommended to investigate all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is essential to ensure that a screening for any other mental health issues is carried out, particularly those which can mimic the symptoms of ADHD or are frequently co-occurring with it, like depression and bipolar disorder. It is also important to determine whether there is any history of substance abuse or eating disorders or eating disorder, as these could affect the outcome of an assessment for ADHD especially if they are not treated.
The NHS assessment process can be lengthy and stressful for those with ADHD. It's usually due to a lack in clarity regarding the type of assessment being conducted, and the fact that healthcare professionals have preconceived notions of what people with ADHD "looks like". This can lead people to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all or any time, and often to unacceptably lengthy waiting lists for assessments.
After the assessment the result must be documented clearly in the form of a report that clarifies whether or whether the ADHD assessment criteria have been met. It should also document the diagnosis in its entirety and a discussion on the next steps (usually the referral to your GP for shared management). Suggested Web page may include a discussion of the available medication options. It is crucial to remember that the diagnosis is only the beginning 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.