The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
If you opt for the NHS method, your evaluation and treatment will be covered by the national health system. The NHS is notorious for its lengthy waiting times.
You can also obtain your ADHD assessment privately funded by the 'Right of Choice option in England. However, the services you can choose must be suitable for your clinical needs and not cost more than an NHS one.
1. In-person assessment
During the assessment you will work with an experienced psychiatrist to analyze your thoughts, presentations and experiences. You will be asked questions about your family history as well as any mental health issues you might have experienced in the past. The psychiatrist will then gather information from various sources such as symptom checklists and behaviour rating scales, as well as talking to you and your family members or close friends about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different environments.
Based on the healthcare expert's judgment, it could be necessary to assess whether or not your symptoms may be explained more effectively by other medical or psychiatric conditions that are similar or coexist with ADHD. Anxiety disorders, for example may present with symptoms similar to ADHD and can have the same effect on relationships and work. Therefore, it is important to rule out other disorders that can cause symptoms of ADHD before proceeding to look at medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you choose to utilize the NHS, your first step is to visit your GP to explain the reason you believe you have ADHD symptoms. Your GP should be aware of this and refer you for an assessment. The NHS assessment waiting times can be long. If you cannot wait, you can choose the private route which is more expensive, but has shorter waiting times.
During your appointment you will be asked a few questions and then administered the QbTest which is a computer-based test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, activity and attention. read on is essential to familiarize yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment so that you are able to 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 could include examining the options for medication.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments are a much faster option than waiting for a NHS appointment. It is also more costly. The cost of an ADHD online assessment can range between PS240 and PS2500. This includes the assessment as well as a comprehensive diagnosis report and the cost of medication.
In the UK adults and children can get ADHD assessments through the NHS through an appointment from their doctor. However, the BBC's investigation shows that there are long waits to see specialists. For instance, one woman in Sheffield has been waiting for over two years. Suicidal tendencies are one of her symptoms. This could be a sign that she is not diagnosed with ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, patients with ADHD should be assessed by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). In the course of the assessment, psychiatrists will interview and examine the patient with questionnaires and observe their behavior. The psychiatrist will then assess the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on daily life.
People suffering from ADHD often use strategies like diaries, calendars and post-it notes to manage their symptoms. These methods are not always efficient. They can cause more stress and confusion, especially for those already struggling with mental health conditions. The assessment will include a physical exam and a review of the medical history.
Right to Choose is a scheme offered by the NHS that allows you to choose the location to which you're referred for assessment. It's available to anyone who has a registered GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can ask to have a private service that is partnered with NHS provide an ADHD assessment. As long as the service is accredited by NHS and isn't charging more than NHS and you request to be advised.
3. Diagnosis
A specialist nurse or psychiatrist will typically conduct an ADHD assessment, using the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). For adults, this may include the assessment of comorbid disorders such as anxiety or depression.
During your appointment, you'll discuss with your doctor your current symptoms as well as any family history. They'll also ask you to complete questionnaires or rating scales. In this process, the expert will note how your behaviour impacts others in your life, like your children or spouse.
The specialist will take all of the data into consideration to determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD as well as its subtypes. The specialist will then outline their findings and discuss the best course of treatment.
If the psychiatrist suggests medication the prescription will be given to you to visit a pharmacy of your choice. The prescription fees cover the administration process and do not include the cost of the medications themselves, which you will need to pay for separately. If you need an titration of your medication, further appointments could be required until you're stable with the medication.
It is important to discuss your diagnosis with your GP, as well as anyone else who needs to be aware of it, like your employer or school. Our experts can also provide recommendations for educational accommodations, such as extra time in exams or reduced deadlines.
Some people may find it difficult to get an ADHD diagnosis, especially in cases where their GP doesn't believe they exhibit the symptoms. If this is the case for you, we recommend reading our Getting an ADHD Assessment page for tips and advice on how to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist.
4. Medication
There are a number of medications that are licensed for use in the UK to treat ADHD. They are usually stimulants and include the well-known medication methylphenidate (Ritalin) and the newest amphetamine based medicine Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). Initially, it is usually recommended that patients start with a low dosage of medication that is gradually increased over a number of appointments until a patient is stabilized on their dosage. This is often accompanied with regular meetings with psychiatrists to discuss any side effects, and monitor progress.
Medicines can ease the many symptoms caused by ADHD and lessen the burden that they place on families, individuals and workplaces. They do this by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters that enable brain cells to communicate with each with each other. Finding the right medication is a personal choice and may take some time. Once someone is prescribed the right medication, it's crucial to stick to their treatment plan. If you continue to skip appointments or stop taking your medication, symptoms may be recurrent and the medication may not be as effective.
A psychiatrist expert is not able to prescribe medication during the assessment session. However, they may refer you to an expert who will discuss your options for taking medication and prescribe, if needed. This will require further titration sessions to determine the correct dose and regular reviews to ensure that the medication is working. In general, the NHS will not pay for your prescription, so it will incur an additional charge from your pharmacy.
Private clinics can also charge for follow-up consultations. If needed, this could include sending letters of recommendation to employers or schools. It can include guidance and advice about medication or any medical questions between appointments via telephone calls or email (limited to 20 minutes). The initial ADHD assessment does not include the costs for the titration or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has been struggling for a long time to meet the demand for adult ADHD assessments. In the end, some areas have wait times as long as eight years, as per BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The process of assessing you can be long but it's essential to have a clear diagnosis. The psychiatrist conducting the assessment will be in contact with you about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as your symptoms and their impact on your life. You may also be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating scales to help the doctor evaluate your condition.
Following the clinical interview, your doctor will prepare an assessment report that will give you a diagnosis and recommendations for ongoing treatment and support if you have ADHD. They will also discuss with you if ADHD is a factor in any health issues or concerns you might have.
There are various types of ADHD and they appear differently in each individual. This is why it's essential to identify the exact symptoms you're experiencing so that your specialist will be able to determine the appropriate kind of ADHD. This is the reason a thorough ADHD assessment is so important and will give you the most effective chance of finding the appropriate treatment for your symptoms.
Private healthcare providers provide an alternative to the NHS for those who wish to avoid waiting and want to accelerate their ADHD assessment. Self-referrals to private mental health services permit individuals to get access to experts who are knowledgeable about adult ADHD faster. The process typically starts with a consultation with psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who is skilled in adult ADHD assessment.