ADHD UK Assessment
It is essential to speak with your GP If you suspect that you have ADHD. They can discuss your symptoms and ask about any other mental health conditions you might be suffering from.
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 mental illness that affects the way that signals are transmitted between brain cells. This can result in issues with learning, organization, and paying attention. It can also affect managing problems like self-control and making the right decisions more difficult. People with ADHD tend to be angry and frustrated, and find it difficult to handle routines and tasks that others find easy. They may also have emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or low mood.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly, or are given the wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling with the increase of assessments. Some areas have waiting times of over two years. According to BBC Freedom of Information requests some of them have stopped accepting new referrals. This has caused a lot of frustration for those waiting on wait lists, and even despair when they realize that they will not get an appointment in time to make any difference in their lives.
GPs are required to take the claims made by those who suspect they suffer from symptoms of ADHD seriously, and refer them to an assessment. They must follow NICE guidelines, which demand that an assessment be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist ADHD nurse (or another "appropriately qualified healthcare professional" [NICE]).
If you're on waiting lists for an NHS assessment, it's possible to take the matter to their own and request an individual diagnosis. This is possible through the Right to Choose pathway, where a person's GP accepts to refer the patient for an ADHD assessment to the preferred provider. To accomplish this, they need to discuss the person's concerns with them and explain why they'd like an evaluation of the symptoms of ADHD by psychiatrist or a specialist ADHD nurse.
Many private ADHD assessment providers offer titration of medication through the NHS after the assessment. Psychiatry UK is the largest provider, and they provide information on how you can access their services through Right to Choose. They also provide a printable letter you can give to your GP.
Common symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can impact the focus of a person, their ability to control their emotions, and manage their emotions. Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are just a few symptoms of ADHD. While many people may be struggling with these issues, those who meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis have issues that are noticeably above what is normal for their age or developmental level. These issues can impact their ability to perform at home and work and can cause issues in relationships.
Inattention means that an individual struggles to stay focused and engaged and is often easily distracted and losing the focus of what they are doing. They may also have difficulties planning and following directions. Hyperactivity is a common feature of ADHD and can be characterized by excessive fidgeting, tapping or talking. The term "impulsivity" refers to the tendency to act without considering consequences, or to want immediate satisfaction.
People suffering from ADHD can find it difficult to keep and make friends and are often criticised by others for their lack of attention or naughtiness. Depression, low self-esteem or anxiety are also suffered by those with ADHD. adhd online assessment uk with ADHD may face problems throughout their lives. For instance, when they leave their family home to study or work. New stressors, like financial pressures, relationship issues and expectations from parents can also affect them.
If you suspect you have ADHD, it is important to talk with your GP. They can assist you in deciding whether an NHS ADHD assessment would be helpful and refer you to a service that is suited to your needs. This could be an Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During the consultation, your GP will take a detailed account of your history and current problems and inquire about your family and social life. They will also conduct an examination to rule out any other conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They will also examine any reports or assessments from the past and review your medication.
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 understand the scale of the problem we made FOI requests to every NHS trust in England that runs ADHD services. We discovered that, on average, people wait more than six months for an appointment.
ADHD symptoms in Adults
Untreated ADHD symptoms can create problems for adults that are worse than those of children. They may struggle with relationship issues, career challenges and a feeling of general lack of achievement. They often have trouble keeping their job and adhering to corporate rules or meeting deadlines. They may also not be able to control their finances and fall into debt due to impulsive spending. They may have trouble staying healthy because of a poor diet or inability to focus for long periods.
Adults with ADHD might be more difficult to diagnose and treat than children. This is due to the fact that medical professionals have preconceived notions of how people with ADHD look. This is especially relevant if they're an ethnic minority or gender, born female or are not a native English speaker. Moreover, adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from mental health issues that mirror the symptoms of ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
Adult ADHD is characterised by a sense of restlessness and an inability or unwillingness to sit still. Adults suffering from this condition also tend to feel stressed and anxious frequently, causing them to feel overwhelmed by everyday life things. They might also have difficulty controlling their emotions, and are afflicted with depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
In some cases, adults with ADHD may not realise they have a problem until they reach adulthood and experience increased levels of stress and demand. The signs may not be apparent until they leave school or parents' home, and might be causing them issues as they assume new roles in their work and life.
Nice has approved the use of a digital test to cut down on the time it takes to receive an NHS ADHD assessment. The test will be made available to psychiatrists and pediatric 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 primary characteristics of ADHD such as hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It can improve the outcomes of children suffering from ADHD by reducing the time it takes to diagnose the condition.
ADHD symptoms in children
If your child's symptoms have an impact on their the way they live, you may request your GP to refer your child to a psychiatrist or nurse specialist. You can then get an assessment that is specialized and covers both your mental health as well as ADHD. Psychiatrists or nurses can prescribe medication to treat ADHD symptoms.
The assessment should be semi-structured to allow for the elicitation of symptom and impairment data which is crucial in determining ADHD. The test should be open-ended, honest questions that encourage the ability to give a genuine answer. The assessor should utilize real-world examples 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 important to screen for any other mental disorders, particularly those that may mimic ADHD symptoms or are often co-occurring with depression, for example bipolar disorder. It is also essential to determine if there's any history of abuse or substance use disorders, as they can influence the outcomes of an ADHD diagnosis, especially when not treated.
The NHS assessment process can be long and stressful for those with ADHD. It's usually due to a lack in understanding of the type of assessment being conducted and also the fact that healthcare professionals are influenced by preconceived notions about what people with ADHD "looks like". This can result in people being misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, and also leads to excessively long wait lists for tests.
The results of the test should be documented in a document 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 can include an overview of medication options. The evaluation is only the beginning of the treatment journey. It is also essential to address the psychosocial and educational aspects of ADHD in the post-diagnosis discussions as recommended by NICE.