The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health system will cover your medication and assessment when you decide to take the NHS route. The NHS is well-known for its long waiting times.
You can also obtain your ADHD assessment privately funded through the 'Right of Choice option in England. The services you choose must be relevant to your clinical needs and should not cost more than NHS services.
1. In-person assessment
During the assessment, you will work with a psychiatrist who is senior to fully understand your thoughts of presentations, experiences and thoughts. You will be asked questions regarding your family history and any mental health issues that you may have experienced in the past. The psychiatrist will gather information from a variety of sources like symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales, and talk to you, your family or close friends, about how ADHD symptoms impact your life in various scenarios.
Based on your healthcare professional's judgement, it could be important to determine if your symptoms are more easily explained by psychiatric or medical disorders that are similar to or coexist alongside ADHD. For instance anxiety disorders often present similarly to symptoms of ADHD and may affect the work environment and relationships. It is therefore important to rule out other disorders that may cause symptoms of ADHD before moving on to look at medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you choose to go the NHS route, the first step will be to see your GP and provide the reason why you believe you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP should take this seriously and refer you for an assessment. However, waiting times for NHS assessments can be long. If you're not able to wait, you may choose the private route which is more expensive, but has shorter waiting times.
During your appointment, you will be asked a few questions and administered the QbTest, a computerised test that tests the primary ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, activity and attention. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment, so that you can write down instances of how you have experienced them in your daily life. The psychiatrist will review your answers and discuss the next steps. This may include exploring the options for medication.
2. Online assessment
An online assessment is an option that can be much quicker than waiting for an NHS appointment. It is also more costly. The cost of an ADHD online assessment could range between PS240 and PS2500. This includes the assessment, a comprehensive diagnosis report, and the cost of medication.
In the UK children and adults can get ADHD assessments through the NHS through a GP referral. The BBC's investigation reveals that there are lengthy waiting times to see a specialist. For example, one woman in Sheffield has been waiting for two years. Suicidal impulses are among her symptoms, and could indicate that she is not diagnosed with ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, a patient with ADHD is assessed by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the examination, psychiatrists will interview and examine the patient with questionnaires and observe their behavior. The psychiatrist will determine the severity of ADHD and the impact it has on daily life.
People with ADHD tend to manage their symptoms through strategies like diaries, calendars and post-it notepads. These strategies aren't always efficient. They can even lead to more anxiety and confusion, particularly for those already suffering from mental health conditions. The evaluation will also include a physical examination and an examination of medical history.
The NHS offers a program called Right to Choose, which allows you to select where you're being referred to for an assessment. It's available to anyone who's registered with a GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can ask to be recommended to a private company which is affiliated with the NHS that offers an ADHD assessment, so long they're licensed by the NHS and don't charge more than the NHS.
3. Diagnosis
An ADHD assessment is usually conducted by psychiatrists or specialist nurses and is based on the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). For adults, this involves the assessment of comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety.
During the appointment, you'll discuss your current symptoms and family history with the consultant. They'll also ask you to complete questionnaires or rating scales. The expert will evaluate your behavior and how it affects others such as your spouse or your children.
The doctor will take all information into consideration to help determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD and its subtypes. The specialist will then outline their findings and recommend the best course of treatment.
If a psychiatrist recommends a medication, you will receive an order to take it to any pharmacy you like. The cost of prescriptions covers the administrative procedure but do not cover the cost of the drugs that you be required to pay separately. Additional appointments are possible when you have to adjust your medication.
It's important that you share your diagnosis with your GP and anyone else who might need to know about it, such your employer or school. Our specialists can provide letters of recommendation to request educational accommodations like extra time during exams or reduced deadlines.
Some people may be unable to obtain an ADHD diagnosis, especially if their GP doesn't believe they exhibit the symptoms. If you're one of them then you should read our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and advice about how to get your GP refer you.
4. Medication
In the UK there are a variety of medications that are approved to treat ADHD. These include the well-known amphetamine-based medicine Lisdexamfetamine and the well known methylphenidate medication Ritalin. In the beginning, it is advised that patients begin with a small dose of medication which is then gradually increased over a number of appointments until a patient is stabilised on their dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular sessions with psychiatrists to discuss side effects, and to monitor progress.
Medications can help to alleviate the symptoms caused by ADHD and ease the burden that they place on individuals, families and workplaces. They help by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters that allow brain cells to communicate with each and each other. However, the correct medication is a matter of individual preference and determining it could take time. Once a patient is prescribed the correct medication, it's crucial to adhere to the treatment plan. If you continue to fail to attend appointments or stop taking your medication, symptoms can come back and the medication might not be effective.
A psychiatrist expert will not prescribe medication in the assessment session. However, they may refer you to an expert who will discuss your options for taking medication and prescribe, if needed. This could require additional titration appointments to get the correct dosage and regular reviews to monitor the effectiveness of your medication. The NHS generally does not cover prescriptions, so you'll have to pay an additional fee at your pharmacy.
Private clinics also charge for follow-up consultations. This includes writing and sending letters of recommendation to schools or employers when needed. Brief phone conversations or email (limited to 20 min) can be used to provide advice and assistance with medical or medication concerns in between appointments. However, the cost of titration and follow-up are not included in the initial ADHD assessment appointment.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has struggled for a long time to meet the demand for adult ADHD assessment. According to BBC research, waiting times in many areas can exceed 8 years.
The assessment process is lengthy, but essential to provide a complete diagnosis. The psychiatrist who conducts your assessment will talk to you about your medical history and your lifestyle, and also the symptoms you're experiencing and their impact on your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems to help the doctor assess how you are feeling.
After the clinical interview, your doctor will write a report that will give you an assessment and recommendations for ongoing support and treatment if you have ADHD. They will also talk to you about if and how ADHD might be a factor in any health concerns or issues that you face.
There are various kinds of ADHD and they are all displayed differently in each individual. adhd assessments is crucial to inform your doctor about the symptoms that you're experiencing to determine the kind of ADHD. A comprehensive ADHD assessment can help you determine the best treatment.
Private healthcare providers provide an alternative method of ADHD assessment for those who are in a position to speed up the process and avoid waiting for an NHS appointment. Self-referrals to private mental health services will allow people to connect with specialists who specialize in adult ADHD more quickly. The process typically starts with a consultation with psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who has experience in adult ADHD assessment.