The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health service will take care of your medication and assessments when you decide to take the NHS route. The NHS is known for its lengthy waiting times.
In England there is also the option to obtain your ADHD evaluation funded privately through the "Right to choose" pathway. 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, presentations and experiences. You will be asked questions regarding your family history as well as any mental health issues you might have had in the past. websites will gather information from a variety of sources including symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales and talking to you, your family or close friends about how ADHD symptoms impact your life in various scenarios.
Depending on your healthcare professional's opinion, it could be essential for them to determine if your symptoms are better explained by psychiatric or medical disorders that mimic or coexist alongside ADHD. Anxiety disorders, for example, can present with symptoms similar to ADHD and have an impact similar to ADHD on relationships and work. Before deciding on medication or other treatments, it is important to determine if there are any other disorders that could cause symptoms of ADHD.
The NHS Route
If you choose to go the NHS route, your first step will be to see your GP and provide the reason why you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. Your GP should treat this as a serious matter and recommend you to an assessment. The NHS assessment waiting times can be long. If you are unable to wait, you can choose the private route instead, which can be more expensive but offers shorter wait times.
In your appointment, you'll be asked to fill in several questionnaires, and then the QbTest (a computer-based test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of activity, attention and impulsivity) will be administered. You should be familiar with the symptoms of ADHD so you can describe the ways you experience these symptoms in your everyday life. The psychiatrist will evaluate your answers and discuss what the next steps to take and whether you would like to consider pursuing the possibility of 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 online assessment for ADHD patients could range from PS240 to 2500. This includes the assessment, as well as a full diagnosis report and the cost of medication.
In the UK, children and adults are able to access ADHD assessments through the NHS through a GP referral. However, a BBC investigation has revealed that there are long wait times to visit an expert. One woman in Sheffield for instance, has been waiting two years to see a specialist. Suicidal thoughts are among her symptoms, and could be a sign that she is not diagnosed with ADHD.
The NHS guidelines for ADHD assessments state that a patient must be seen by a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or "other appropriately qualified healthcare professional" (NICE guidelines). During the assessment, a psychiatrist will assess and interview the patient, using questionnaires and observation of their behavior. The psychiatrist will evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on daily life.
People suffering from ADHD often attempt to manage their symptoms using strategies such as diaries, calendars and post-it notepads. However, these strategies aren't always effective. They can even lead to more stress and confusion especially for those who are already struggling with underlying mental health conditions. The examination will consist of a physical exam and a review medical history.
The NHS has a scheme known as Right to Choose, which allows you to select the location to which you're referred for an assessment. This is open to anyone who's registered with a GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can ask to have an individual service that is affiliated 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 recommended.
3. Diagnosis
An ADHD assessment is typically conducted by psychiatrists or specialist nurses and follows the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Adults may also be screened for comorbid disorders like depression or anxiety.
During your appointment, you will discuss with the doctor your current symptoms and any family history. They'll also ask you to complete questionnaires or rating scales. In this process, the expert will evaluate your behavior and how it impacts others such as your spouse or your children.
The psychiatrist will take all information into consideration to help determine if you meet the criteria for ADHD and its subtypes. Your specialist will then explain their findings and suggest the best method of treatment.
If the psychiatrist suggests medication then a prescription will be issued for you to take to a pharmacy of your preference. The cost of prescriptions covers the administrative process but do not include the cost of the medication themselves, which you'll be required to pay for separately. If you need a medication titration, additional appointments could be needed until you're comfortable with the medication.
It's important that you share your diagnosis with your GP, as well as anyone else who may need to know about it, such your employer or school. Our specialists can write letters of recommendation for accommodations in your education such as additional time during exams or a reduction in deadlines.
Some people might have difficulty obtaining an ADHD diagnosis, particularly when their GP does not believe that they are suffering from the symptoms. If this is you are one of them, you might want to go through our article on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and suggestions on how to make your GP to refer you for an assessment.
4. Medication
In the UK, a number medications are approved for treating ADHD. These stimulants include the well-known amphetamine based medication Lisdexamfetamine and the well-known methylphenidate drug Ritalin. In the beginning, it is advised that patients begin with a low dosage of medication, which is gradually increased over a number of appointments until a patient is stabilized on their dosage. This is usually followed by regular sessions with psychiatrists to discuss any side effects, and to monitor the progress.
The medications can reduce symptoms of ADHD and reduce the burden they impose on people, families and employers. They function by increasing neurotransmitters, which allow brain cells to communicate. Finding the right drug is an individual matter and takes some time. Once someone is prescribed the right medication, it's essential to stick to their treatment regimen. If you continue to miss appointments or stop taking your medication, symptoms may come back and the medication might not be as effective.
A psychiatrist expert will not prescribe medication in the assessment session. However, they may refer you to an expert who will go over your options for taking medication and prescribe, if needed. This will require further titration sessions to determine the right dosage and periodic reviews to make sure that your medication is effective. The NHS generally does not cover prescriptions, so you'll need to pay extra at the pharmacy.
Private clinics charge for follow-up consultations. If necessary, this includes sending recommendation letters 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 struggled for years to meet the demand for adult ADHD assessments. This has meant that many areas face wait times of up to eight years, as per BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The process of assessment is long however it is essential to get a thorough diagnosis. The doctor who conducts your assessment will talk to you about your medical history and lifestyle as well as the symptoms you're experiencing and their impact on your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems to help the consultant evaluate how you're feeling.
After the clinical interview, you will receive a report from your specialist that will include an assessment of ADHD and suggestions for treatment and ongoing support. They will also discuss with you whether ADHD is a contributing factor to any health issues or concerns you might have.
There are different kinds of ADHD and they all present differently in different people. This is why it's important to understand the specific symptoms you are experiencing so that your physician will be able to determine the appropriate type of ADHD. This is why a thorough ADHD assessment is essential and will provide you with the best chance of locating the right treatment for your symptoms.
Private healthcare providers provide an alternative to the NHS for those who want to avoid waiting and want to accelerate their ADHD evaluation. Self-referrals to private mental health providers can allow individuals to access experts who are knowledgeable about adult ADHD faster. This process usually starts with a meeting with psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who is experienced in adult ADHD assessment.