ADHD UK Assessment
If you suspect that you have ADHD it is essential to discuss the issue with your GP. They can discuss your symptoms and enquire about any other mental health conditions you may have.
NHS patients in England have the legal right to choose their own mental healthcare provider and team. This includes access to ADHD assessment services.
iampsychiatry is ADHD?
ADHD is a mental illness that affects the way signals are transferred between brain cells. This can result in problems with learning, organization, and paying attention. It can also make it more difficult to manage issues like trouble with self-control and making the right decisions. People suffering from ADHD often feel frustrated and angry, and have difficulty completing routines and tasks that other people can manage easily. They may also struggle with emotions like low mood, anxiety and depression.
People with ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or receive wrong treatment. NHS services are struggling to handle the increasing demand for assessments and some areas have waits that exceed two years. Some have stopped taking new referrals according to the BBC's Freedom of Information requests. The BBC's Freedom of Information requests reveal that some doctors have stopped accepting referrals completely.
GPs are required to take the claims of people who think they have symptoms of ADHD seriously and refer them to an assessment. They must adhere to NICE guidelines that 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 can request a personal assessment. This can be done via the Right to Choose path, in which a patient's doctor agrees to refer them for an ADHD assessment to a preferred service. To accomplish this, they need to discuss the individual's concerns with them and explain that they'd like an evaluation of their symptoms of ADHD by a psychiatrist or specialist ADHD nurse.
Many private ADHD assessment providers offer titration of their medications through the NHS after the assessment. Psychiatry UK is the largest provider, and they provide details on how to use their services through Right to Choose. They also have a letter that you can download that you can hand to a GP.
Common signs of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can impact a person's focus, ability to maintain control and their ability to manage their emotions. Hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity are all symptoms of ADHD. While many people struggle with these issues, those diagnosed with ADHD have problems that are notably beyond what is expected of their age or developmental level. These issues can affect their ability to succeed at home and at work and can cause issues in relationships.
Inattention refers to the fact that an individual struggles to stay focused and on task frequently getting distracted and losing the focus of what they are doing. They may also have trouble planning and following directions. Hyperactivity can be a common sign of ADHD. It could be characterized by excessive fidgeting or talking. Impulsivity is the tendency to act quickly, without thinking about the consequences or seeking instant satisfaction.
Some people with ADHD might have trouble making and keeping friends. They may be frequently criticized by others for their forgetfulness and naughtiness. They can also suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety or depression. People who suffer from ADHD are often faced with difficulties throughout their lives. For example when they leave the family home to work or study. Stressors that are new, like relationship problems, financial pressures and expectations from parents can also impact them.
If you think you might have ADHD, it is important 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 is suited to your needs. This could be a Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During the consultation your doctor will conduct a thorough review of your past and present issues. They will ask you about your family and social activities. They will also conduct an examination to rule out other conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They will also review any previous reports or assessments and examine your medications.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that ADHD services are struggling to meet the demand and waiting lists for assessment are lengthy. In order to better grasp the extent of the problem we made FOI requests to each NHS trust in England that manages ADHD services. We discovered that, on average, people have to wait for longer than six months to get an appointment.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults
For adults suffering from ADHD the difficulties caused by unmanaged symptoms may be even more severe than those in children. They may be struggling with relationship issues, career challenges and a general feeling of being unfulfilled. They may have difficulty keeping a job and following corporate rules or meeting deadlines. They might also be unable to control their finances and end up in debt as a result of the impulsive spending. They might have difficulty staying well due to poor nutrition or an inability to concentrate for long periods of time.
It is more difficult for adults suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated than in children, in part because medical professionals may have preconceived notions about what people suffering from the condition look like. This is especially true if the patient is of color, was not a female at birth, or does not speak English natively. Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience mental health issues that are similar to ADHD symptoms, including depression or anxiety.
The most common symptom of adult ADHD is restlessness, which manifests by fidgeting and an inability to remain still. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to be stressed and anxious and feel overwhelmed by daily life situations. They may also have trouble managing their emotions and may suffer from depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
In some instances, adults with ADHD may not be aware that they have problems until they reach adulthood and are afflicted with increased levels of stress and pressure. The symptoms may not be evident until they leave school or their parents' house and may continue to cause them problems as they assume new roles in work and life.
To address the delay in obtaining an NHS ADHD assessment, Nice has ratified the use of an online test to help speed up diagnosis. It will be made available to psychiatrists and specialist doctors for children in England to evaluate six- to 17-year-olds. The QbTest is able to determine if a child teenager has the three primary ADHD traits - hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It will cut down on the amount of time required to diagnose ADHD and improve the outcomes for children and young adults with the condition.
Symptoms of ADHD in Children
If your child's symptoms have significant effects on their the way they live, you could request your GP to refer your child to a specialist nurse or psychiatrist. You can then undergo an assessment with a specialist who will cover the overall mental health of your child and the evaluation of ADHD. Psychiatrists or nurses may prescribe medication to treat ADHD symptoms.
The test should be semi structured to permit the collection and elicitation of information regarding symptoms and impairments, which are critical in diagnosing ADHD. The test should be open-ended questions that are honest and encourage the ability to give a genuine answer. The assessor should utilize real-world examples to probe deeper than the "snapshot" impression of the patient. It is suggested to look into all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is crucial to test for any other mental disorders, especially those that can be similar to ADHD symptoms or are often co-occurring with it, like depression and bipolar disorder. It is also worth exploring whether there is an history of abuse of substances or an eating disorder or eating disorder, as these could impact the result of the diagnosis of ADHD especially if they are not treated.
The NHS assessment process can be lengthy and frustrating for those suffering from ADHD. This is often caused by an inability to understand what is being evaluated and the fact that many healthcare professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person with ADHD "looks like". This can lead to people be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at any or even to unacceptable long waiting lists for tests.
After the test the result must be documented clearly in a written report that explains whether or not the ADHD assessment criteria have been fulfilled. It should also contain a diagnosis and an explanation of the next steps. (Usually it is the referral is to your GP to be treated together). This could include a review of the medications available. The evaluation is only the beginning of the treatment journey. It is also crucial to discuss the psychosocial aspects of ADHD and educational aspects of ADHD in the post-diagnosis discussion, as recommended by NICE.