ADHD UK Assessment
It is crucial to speak with your GP when you suspect you may have ADHD. They can discuss with you your symptoms and inquire about any mental health issues that you might have.
NHS patients in England have the legal right to pick their own mental health provider and team. This includes accessing ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a 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 difficult to deal with issues such as problems with self-control or making the right decisions. People suffering from ADHD frequently feel angry and irritable, and have difficulties coping with routines and tasks that other people can manage easily. They may also have emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or low mood.
People suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed or receive the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling to meet the rise in assessment requests with some areas experiencing delays longer than two years. Some have stopped taking new referrals altogether, according to the BBC's Freedom of Information requests. The Freedom of Information requests reveal that a few doctors have stopped accepting referrals completely.
Doctors are required to consider the claims made by people who think they have symptoms of ADHD seriously, and refer them to an assessment. They must follow NICE guidelines which require an assessment to be conducted by an expert ADHD nurse or psychiatrist (or any other "appropriately-qualified healthcare professional" (NICE)).
For those who are waiting to be considered for an NHS assessment, it is possible to take things into their own hands and request an assessment that is private. This can be done via the Right to Choose pathway, when a patient's doctor agrees to make a referral for an ADHD assessment to the preferred provider. To achieve this, they must discuss the individual's concerns with them and explain why they'd like an evaluation of their symptoms of ADHD by psychiatrist or a specialist ADHD nurse.
Many private ADHD assessment providers offer titration of their medications through the NHS after the assessment. The largest of them is Psychiatry UK, who provide information on how to use their service via Right to Choose, including the downloadable letter you can present to your GP.
Common Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can impact the ability of an individual to focus and maintain control over their emotions. Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are all symptoms. While a large number of people struggle with these challenges but those who have the characteristics for an ADHD diagnosis face issues that are significantly over the norm for their age or developmental level. These issues can hinder their ability to perform at home and work and create problems in relationships.
Inattention occurs when a person is unable to stay focused and engaged. They can easily become distracted and lose their focus. They may also have difficulties planning and following directions. Hyperactivity is a typical symptom of ADHD and can involve excessive tapping, fidgeting or talking. Impulsivity is a tendency to act quickly, without thinking about the consequences or seeking instant gratification.
People suffering from ADHD can find it difficult to make and keep friends, and may be frequently judged by other people for their lack of attention or naughtiness. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. The difficulties that people with ADHD confront can become more difficult throughout their lives, for instance when they leave of the home they grew up in and into school or work. They may be impacted by new stresses, such as relationship issues financial pressures, expectations from parents.
It is important to speak with your GP in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. They can assist you in deciding whether an NHS ADHD assessment would be beneficial and then refer you to a service that is suitable for your needs. This could be a Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During your visit, your doctor will ask you questions about your family life and social life. They will also carry out an exam to rule out other issues, like depression and anxiety. They will also review any prior reports, assessments or medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns of long waiting lists for assessments and ADHD services struggling to cope with the demand. In order to better grasp the extent of the issue, we sent FOI requests to each NHS trust in England which runs ADHD services. We discovered that, on average, people wait longer than six months to get an appointment.
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Unmanaged ADHD symptoms can cause problems for adults that are even more severe than those experienced by children. They may have issues with relationships issues, career problems and a general feeling of underachievement. They may have trouble keeping their job, adhering to corporate rules or meeting deadlines. They may also be unable to control their finances and get into debt because of their the impulsive spending. They might have difficulty maintaining their health due to a poor diet or an inability to sit still or concentrate for long periods of time.
It can be more difficult for adults suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated than children, mainly because medical professionals may have preconceived notions about what people with the condition appear like. This is especially true if they are someone of color or gender-specifically assigned at birth or are not native English speaker. Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience mental health issues that resemble ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Adult ADHD is characterized by restlessness and a reluctance to be still. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to be anxious and stressed, which can make them feel overwhelmed by daily life events. assessment adhd iampsychiatry.uk might also have trouble managing their emotions and suffer from depression, anxiety or low self-esteem.
Adults with ADHD might not be aware of their condition until they reach the age of adulthood and experience more demands and stress. The symptoms may not be evident until they leave school or their parents' home and may continue to cause them problems as they take on new roles in work and life.
In an effort to reduce the delays in getting an NHS ADHD assessment, Nice has endorsed the use of an electronic test to speed up diagnosis. The test will be made available for psychiatrists and children's specialists in England to test the six-to-17-year-olds. The QbTest is able to determine if an infant or young child has the three main characteristics of ADHD such as hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It will help to improve the outcome of children suffering from ADHD by reducing the amount of time it takes to identify the disorder.
ADHD symptoms in children
If your child's symptoms are having an impact on their the way they live You may ask your GP to refer your child to a psychiatrist or nurse specialist. You can then receive a specialist assessment which covers both your mental health as well as ADHD. Nurses or psychiatrists can prescribe medication to treat ADHD symptoms.
The assessment should be structured in a semi-structured manner to allow for the elicitation of symptom and impairment data that are crucial in determining ADHD. The assessment should include open-ended, honest questions that encourage a candid response. The assessor can employ real-life scenarios to go deeper than an "snapshot" impression of the clinical. It is recommended that all DSM symptoms, impairments and other criteria are fully investigated.
It is essential to check for other mental disorders, particularly those that may be akin to ADHD symptoms or are often comorbid with it, like depression and bipolar disorder. It is also important to investigate if there is an history of substance abuse or eating disorders, since they can influence the outcome of an ADHD diagnosis, especially when not treated.
The NHS assessment process can be lengthy and frustrating for those suffering from 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 someone with ADHD 'looks like'. This can lead to people being misdiagnosed, or not being diagnosed at all, and sometimes leads to unacceptably long waiting lists for assessments.
The result of the assessment should be documented in a written report which explains if the ADHD assessment criteria were fulfilled. It should also contain the diagnosis in its entirety and a discussion of the next steps (usually a referral back to your GP for shared management). This could include a summary of treatment options. It is important to remember that the test is only the beginning of the treatment process, and it is essential to ensure that discussions about the wider psychosocial and educational aspects of managing ADHD are part of the post-diagnostic discussion that NICE recommends.