How to Get an ADHD Assessment Many ADHD assessments are conducted with a psychiatrist They’ll want to know about your general mental health, family history and any other symptoms you may have They’ll also need to see any old school reports you might have It is possible to access an NHS diagnosis through the ‘Right to Choose’ pathway However, GPs are often reluctant to sign shared care agreements with private providers Costs If your ***** has been diagnosed with ADHD, you should be able to get help from the NHS In most cases, GPs will take your concerns seriously and refer you to a specialist ADHD clinic These clinics usually have long wait times, but if you’re in England, you can use the 'Right to Choose' option to access an online NHS service that offers shorter waiting times You can also opt to visit a private ADHD assessment provider in the UK, which will typically cost you between PS600 and PS1,200 The fees include a face-to-face or online video consultation and an ADHD assessment according to NICE guidelines The assessment will also include a full report, QB checks, and medication advice if needed You will also receive an email summarising your assessment and agreed holistic treatment plan, which you can share with your GP Depending on your needs, you can choose to have an ADHD diagnosis conducted by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist nurse Psychiatrists are the only healthcare professionals who can prescribe medications for ADHD in the UK, so you should choose one with experience of working with neurodevelopmental disorders Ideally, you should also choose a psychiatrist who is registered with the General Medical Council GMC A private ADHD assessment can be an excellent choice for those who want a quick diagnosis Unlike the NHS, private assessments are not limited to patients who have insurance Additionally, a private assessment by a GMC-registered psychiatrist is just as valid as a diagnosis by an NHS healthcare professional However, you should note that a private diagnosis may not be sufficient to secure support from your employer or access reasonable adjustments or Disabled Students’ Allowance If your GP refuses to refer you to an NHS ADHD clinic, it’s worth considering changing your GP This is especially true if you’d like to pursue a shared care agreement for medication In some cases, your GP may be concerned about the costs associated with an ADHD assessment, or may not believe that you have ADHD If this is the case, consider printing out a copy of the NICE 87 guideline that states that only a specialist can diagnose ADHD Timescales The timescales involved in getting an adhd assessment will largely depend on the route you take If you opt to go down the NHS route then you will likely need to wait for an appointment with a specialist, and this can be lengthy It is important to speak to your GP and ask what the waiting times are like in your area before making any decisions about how to proceed GPs will typically refer people for ADHD assessments if they believe the symptoms are affecting their lives in a significant way However, the NHS has long waiting lists and it is not uncommon to hear of people waiting 2-3 years for an assessment to be carried out There are also private companies who offer ADHD assessments and medication titration These are often cheaper than the NHS options and are able to offer much quicker appointments However, it is important to remember that if you decide to go down the private route then you will need to pay for your medication too, and this can be costly if you require ongoing prescriptions After an initial screening, the Psychiatrist will carry out a series of psychometrics and questionnaires to assess whether ADHD is the cause of your symptoms The assessment will include both self and observer reports and is usually many pages in length The Psychiatrist will then write up their conclusion, outlining any potential diagnosis If you are based in England then you have the right to choose who you receive mental healthcare from, and this includes an ADHD assessment It is worth checking with your local Clinical Commissioning Groups to see if they have an Individual Funding Request process, and this can be used to apply for funding for the assessment you are interested in However, it is important to note that the CCG will still need to approve your application before they can release any funding This process can be time-consuming and frustrating and so many people choose to go down the private route in order to reduce their wait times and get the help they need sooner Psychiatrists we work with ADHD is a complex condition that affects many people If you are diagnosed with this disorder, there are a number of treatments available to help you cope These treatments can include medication and psychotherapy Psychiatrists are trained professionals who can assess your symptoms and determine whether you have ADHD They can also recommend a treatment plan Psychiatrists can be found online or at your local hospital They can also be referred by your GP During your initial assessment, the psychiatrist will take note of your symptoms and history They may ask for corroborative evidence from family members and friends, and they may conduct tests to rule out other health issues Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they might also prescribe medications to help you cope with the disorder Some private assessment providers do not need a GP referral letter, but others do If you need a GP referral letter for your assessment, it is best to check with your chosen provider before booking Most of these assessments involve a 45-90 minute discussion with the psychiatrist They will usually go through a series of questions to assess your symptoms and determine if you have ADHD After completing your assessment, you will receive an official diagnosis from the psychiatrist You can then take your report to your GP and request a Shared Care Agreement for ADHD medication The assessment process is much faster and easier when you use a private assessment service You should know that only a specialist psychiatrist, nurse or psychologist can diagnose ADHD https//articlescadcom/10-things-we-do-not-like-about-adhd-diagnosis-uk-private-436325html should ask your GP for a referral, but you should also print out quotes from the NICE 87 guideline that state that a GP can’t refuse a referral If you are having trouble getting a referral, try to find another GP in your area who is willing to assess adults with ADHD Often, your GP will refer you to an educational psychologist who can carry out an assessment for ADHD This is particularly helpful if you are a student, as they can give you a report that will allow you to apply for reasonable adjustments and Disabled Students’ Allowance They can also tell you if you have ADHD or any co-occurring mental-health conditions that might be contributing to your symptoms What to expect If you think that you might have ADHD, it is a good idea to talk to your GP about getting an assessment They may be able to refer you to a specialist such as a private hospital or wellbeing centre You can also contact these organisations directly to arrange an appointment You will be required to complete pre-screening questionnaires before your appointment These will help the psychiatrist to understand your symptoms and assess you for ADHD During the assessment, you will be asked about your lifestyle and medical history The psychiatrist will also observe your behaviour You will be asked to rate various behaviours in different social circumstances You will also be asked about your difficulties with school, work and relationships You will be asked to provide examples of the traits symptoms of ADHD in your life These questions can be difficult for people with ADHD, especially those who are highly intelligent People with high IQs often use compensatory coping strategies to hide their problems, and they can be reluctant to recognise that they have ADHD After your appointment, the clinician will let you know whether or not they have diagnosed you with ADHD They will also discuss the next steps if they have diagnosed you with ADHD This will typically include medication and CBT therapy They will discuss your treatment options with you and will advise you on how to manage your symptoms in the future If the clinician does not diagnose you with ADHD, they will explain why they do not think that you meet the criteria for a diagnosis This might be because they think that another condition explains your problems better than ADHD You are entitled to seek a second opinion from a private provider, and the NHS will fund your appointment In England, you have a right to choose which mental healthcare provider you see However, the NHS still has a shortage of fully trained assessors for ADHD and Autism As a result, it can take years for some adults to be diagnosed Private psychiatrists are able to offer a faster service, and their assessments cost between PS600 and PS1,200