The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health service will cover your medication and assessment if you choose to go the NHS route. The NHS is known for its long waiting times.
In England You can also have your ADHD evaluation funded privately through the "Right to Choose" route. However, the services you can choose must be suitable for your clinical needs and must not cost more than an NHS one.
1. In-person assessment
During the evaluation, you'll collaborate with a psychiatrist who is experienced to help you understand your thoughts, presentations and experiences. You will be asked questions regarding your family history as well as any mental health issues that you may have encountered in the past. The psychiatrist will then gather data from several sources, including symptom checklists and scales of behavior rating and will also talk with you and your relatives or close friends about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different settings.
Depending on the healthcare professional's judgement, it may be necessary to determine whether or not your symptoms could be better explained by other medical or psychiatric conditions that mimic or coexist with ADHD. Anxiety disorders, for example may present with symptoms similar to ADHD and have a similar effect on relationships and work. It is therefore crucial to rule out any other disorder that may cause symptoms of ADHD before moving on to look at the use of medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you decide to take the NHS option, the first step should be to see your GP and provide the reason why you believe you have symptoms of ADHD. Your GP must consider this a serious matter and refer you to an assessment. However waiting times for NHS assessments can be lengthy. If you can't wait, you may choose the private route, which is more expensive however has shorter waiting times.
In your appointment, you'll be asked questions and will be administered the QbTest, a computerised test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, activity, and attention. It is important to be familiar with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to describe how you experience these traits in your daily life. The psychiatrist will evaluate your answers and discuss what the next steps are, including if you would like to consider pursuing treatment options.
2. Online assessment
An online assessment is an option that can be much quicker than waiting for an NHS appointment. It can also be more expensive. The cost of an ADHD online assessment can vary between PS240 and PS2500. This includes the assessment as well as a full diagnosis report as well as medication costs.
In the UK, children and adults are able to access ADHD assessments on the NHS through an appointment with a doctor. However, a BBC investigation has revealed long wait times to visit a specialist. One woman from Sheffield for instance has waited for two years to see a specialist. Suicidal tendencies are one of her symptoms. This could indicate that she may not be diagnosed with ADHD.
The NHS guidelines for ADHD assessments state that patients should be examined by psychiatrists, specialist nurses or "other qualified healthcare professional" (NICE guidelines). During the assessment psychiatrists will interview and examine the person with questionnaires and observe their behaviour. The psychiatrist will evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on daily life.
People with ADHD tend to manage their symptoms through strategies like diaries calendars and post-it notepads. However, these strategies aren't always successful. They can even lead to more stress and confusion especially for those who are already suffering from mental health conditions. The assessment will include physical examination and a review of the medical history.
Right to Choose is a program of the NHS that allows you to choose where you're referred for assessment. This is open to anyone who is registered with a GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can ask to have an individual service that is partnered with NHS offer an ADHD assessment. As long as the service is approved by NHS and isn't charging more than NHS or NHS, you can ask to be advised.
3. Diagnosis
A specialist nurse or psychiatrist typically conducts an ADHD assessment, based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). For adults, this involves examination of any comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression.
During your appointment, you will discuss with your doctor your current symptoms as well as any family history. They'll also ask you to fill out questionnaires or rating scales. In this process, the expert will evaluate how your behavior impacts other people in your life, including your children or spouse.
The doctor will take all information into consideration to help determine whether you meet the criteria for ADHD, including its subtypes. Your specialist will then explain their findings and suggest the best course of treatment.
If a psychiatrist recommends a medication, you will receive an order to take it to any pharmacy of your choosing. The cost of prescriptions is for the administrative process only and don't cover the cost of medicines. You will have to pay for the medication. If you need an titration of your medication, further appointments may be needed until you're comfortable with the medication.
After you've received your diagnosis It's crucial to communicate the results with your GP and anyone else you need to know, such as your employer or school. Our specialists can write letters of recommendation for accommodations in your education such as extra time during exams or shorter deadlines.
Some people might be unable to obtain an ADHD diagnosis, particularly when their GP isn't convinced that they have the symptoms. If this is the case for you, we recommend going through our Getting an ADHD Assessment page for tips and advice on how you can get your GP to recommend you to a specialist.
4. Medication
There are a number of medications that are licensed to be used in the UK to treat ADHD. These are typically stimulants, including the well-known methylphenidate medication (Ritalin) and the more recent amphetamine-based medicine lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). Initially, it is usually recommended that patients start with a low dosage of medication, which is titrated up over several appointments until a patient is stabilized on their dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular meetings with psychiatrists, to discuss side effects and track progress.
Medicines can ease the symptoms caused by ADHD and ease the burden that they place on individuals, families and workplaces. They function by increasing neurotransmitters, which enable brain cells to communicate. But, the best drug can be very individual and determining it may take time. Once a person has been prescribed the correct medication, it is essential that they stick to their treatment plan. If they continue to skip appointments or stop taking their medication can result in symptoms recurring and the medication not working as well.
A specialist psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment However, they will be able to refer you to an expert nurse who will discuss medication options and prescribe if necessary. This will involve further periodic titration sessions to ensure you are receiving the correct dosage and regular reviews to monitor the effectiveness of your medication. The NHS typically does not cover prescriptions, so you'll have to pay extra at your pharmacy.
Private clinics also charge for follow-up consultations. If necessary, this includes sending letters of recommendation to employers or schools. Brief phone conversations or email (limited to 20 min) can be used to offer advice and assistance with medical or medication concerns in between appointments. However, the costs of titration and follow-up are not included in an initial ADHD assessment appointment.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has struggled for years to meet the demands for adult ADHD assessment. In the end, some areas have waiting times that can be as long as eight years, as per BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The assessment process can be long however it is essential to get a complete diagnosis. The psychiatrist who conducts your assessment will talk to you about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as the symptoms you're experiencing and how they affect your daily life. You might also be asked complete questionnaires or fill out rating scales to help the doctor assess your condition.
After the clinical interview, your doctor will write an assessment report that will provide you with the diagnosis and suggestions for ongoing treatment and support for ADHD. They will also discuss with you whether ADHD is a factor in any health issues or concerns you might have.
There are various kinds of ADHD and they appear differently in each individual. This is why it's important to know the specific symptoms you are experiencing so that your physician can determine the correct kind of ADHD. what is an adhd assessment is why a comprehensive ADHD assessment is so important and will give you the best chance of locating the appropriate treatment for your issues.
Private healthcare providers provide an alternative to the NHS for those who wish to avoid waiting and want to speed up their ADHD evaluation. Self-referrals to private mental health providers can allow individuals to access experts who are knowledgeable about adult ADHD faster. The process usually begins with a consultation with a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who is experienced in adult ADHD evaluations.