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ADHD UK Assessment
If you think you have ADHD It is crucial to discuss the issue with your GP. They can discuss your symptoms and enquire about any other mental health issues you might have.
NHS patients in England are legally allowed to choose their mental healthcare provider. This includes accessing ADHD assessment services.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects the way signals are passed between brain cells. This can cause difficulties with learning, organisation and paying attention. It can also cause problems with managing issues with self-control and making the right choices more difficult. People with ADHD often feel overwhelmed and irritable, and have difficulty completing routines and tasks that others are able to complete. They may also struggle with feelings such as anxiety, low mood and depression.
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 of more than two years. According to BBC Freedom of Information requests some have been refusing new referrals. The Freedom of Information requests reveal that certain doctors have stopped accepting referrals altogether.
The GP is required to take the claims made by those who think they have symptoms of ADHD seriously, and refer them for an assessment. They must follow NICE guidelines, which require that the assessment be carried out by a specialist ADHD psychiatrist or nurse (or any other "appropriately-qualified healthcare professional" (NICE)).
People who are on the NHS waiting list can request a private assessment. This can be done via the Right to Choose pathway, where a person's GP accepts to refer the patient for an ADHD assessment to their preferred healthcare provider. To do this, they must discuss the individual's concerns with them and explain that they'd like an evaluation of their symptoms of ADHD by psychiatrist or a specialist ADHD nurse.
There are a variety of providers offering private ADHD assessments, with some offering titration for medication through the NHS after the test. Psychiatry UK is the largest provider, and they offer information on how you can access their services through Right to Choose. They also have a letter that you can download that you can hand to your GP.
Common signs of ADHD
ADHD symptoms can affect the ability of a person to focus, their ability to keep control, and their ability to manage their emotions. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are all symptoms. While a lot of people struggle with these issues, those diagnosed with ADHD have issues that are significantly over and above what is normal for their age or development level. These issues impact their ability to be successful at home and at work, and can lead to issues in relationships.
Inattention occurs when a person has difficulty staying focused and engaged. They can easily become distracted and lose their focus. sites may also have trouble planning and following directions. Hyperactivity is a common feature of ADHD and can be characterized by excessive tapping, fidgeting or talking. The tendency to act quickly, without thinking about the consequences or seeking instant satisfaction.
Certain people with ADHD may have difficulty making and keeping friends. They might also be constantly criticized by their peers for their naivety and indiscreetness. They can also experience low self-esteem, anxiety or depression. People suffering from ADHD may face difficulties throughout their lives. For instance when they leave their family home to study or work. They may be impacted by a variety of new stresses like relationship difficulties financial pressures, parental expectations.
If you think you might have ADHD, it is important to speak with your GP. They can help you decide whether an NHS ADHD assessment is helpful and recommend the right service for your needs. This could be an Community Mental Health Service, or a Neurodevelopmental Service.
During the consultation process, your GP will take a detailed account of your past and current issues. They will also ask you about your family life and social interactions. They will also perform an examination to rule out other illnesses like anxiety or depression. They will also review any previous reports or assessments and review your medication.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that ADHD services are struggling to meet demand, and waiting lists for assessments are long. In an attempt to understand the scale of the issue we made FOI requests to each NHS trust in England that manages ADHD services. We found that, on average, people are waiting more than six months for an appointment.
The signs of ADHD in Adults
Unmanaged ADHD symptoms can cause problems for adults that are more severe than those experienced by children. They may have issues with relationships issues, career difficulties and feelings of general lack of achievement. They may have trouble keeping an occupation, adhering to the corporate rules or meeting deadlines. They may also have trouble managing their finances and end up in debt because of impulsive purchases. They might have difficulty maintaining their health due to poor nutrition and an inability to sit still or concentrate for long durations of time.
It is more difficult for adults with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated as children, due to the fact that medical professionals may have preconceived notions about what people with the condition appear like. This is especially the case if they're someone of color or gender-specifically assigned at birth or are not native English speaker. Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience mental health issues that are similar to ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Adult ADHD is characterized by a lack of rest and an inability or unwillingness to sit still. Adults with ADHD are more likely to be stressed and anxious, which can make them feel overwhelmed by everyday situations. They may also have a hard time managing their emotions and may suffer from depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
In certain instances, people with ADHD might not realize 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 could persist to cause problems as they take on new roles in their work and life.
Nice has approved the use of a computerized test to speed up the time it takes to get an NHS ADHD assessment. It will be available to psychiatrists and specialist children's doctors in England to test between six and 17 years old. The QbTest is able to determine if the child or young person is suffering from the three main signs of ADHD which are hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It will decrease the amount of time needed to identify ADHD and will improve the outcome for children and young adults who suffer from the condition.
ADHD symptoms in children
If your child's symptoms are severe enough to cause an impact on his or her daily functioning and daily activities, you can seek out your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. You can then receive an assessment by a specialist that covers both your mental health and ADHD. Nurses or psychiatrists may 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 information which is crucial for diagnosing ADHD. The assessment should contain open-ended questions that allow for an open response. The assessor should use real-life examples in order to get a deeper understanding than a "snapshot" impression of the clinical. It is recommended to investigate all DSM symptoms and criteria.
It is vital that a screen for other mental health issues is carried out, particularly those which can mimic the symptoms of ADHD or are associated with it, such as bipolar disorder and depression. It is also worth exploring whether there is a history of substance misuse and/or an eating disorder in order to determine if they affect the result of an assessment for ADHD especially if left untreated.
The NHS assessment process can be lengthy and stressful for those with ADHD. This is usually due to a lack in clarity regarding the type of assessment being conducted, and the fact that healthcare professionals are influenced by preconceived notions about what someone with ADHD "looks like". This can lead people to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all or even to unacceptable long waiting lists for tests.
The result of the assessment should be documented in a written document that explains whether the ADHD assessment criteria were satisfied. It should also document the diagnosis and a discussion of the next steps (usually a referral back to your GP for shared management). This may include a discussion of the options for medication. It is important to keep in mind that the assessment is just the beginning of the treatment process, and it is also crucial that a discussion of the wider psychosocial and educational aspects of managing ADHD are part of the post-diagnostic conversation, which NICE recommends.