The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
If you choose to go the NHS route, your assessment and treatment will be covered by the national health system. However, the NHS generally has long waiting times.
You can also get your ADHD assessment privately funded by the 'Right to Choose' pathway in England. The services you select must be relevant to your clinical needs and should not cost more than NHS services.
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 also be asked questions about your family history as well as any mental health issues you might have experienced in the past. The psychiatrist will gather information from a variety of sources like symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales and talking to you, your family members or close friends, about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different situations.
Based on your doctor's judgment, it may be necessary for them to determine if your symptoms could be more easily explained by medical or psychiatric disorders that mimic or coexist alongside ADHD. For example, anxiety disorders can often manifest similarly to symptoms of ADHD and can have the same impact on relationships and work. Therefore, it is important to rule out other disorders that may cause symptoms of ADHD before moving on to consider medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you choose to go the NHS route, the first step is to visit your GP and explain why you think you are suffering from ADHD. Your GP must take this seriously and refer you for an assessment. However waiting times for NHS assessments can be very long. If you cannot wait, you may choose the private route, which is more expensive, but has shorter waiting times.
During your appointment, you will be asked some questions and will be administered the QbTest, a computerised test which measures the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and activity as well as attention. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the traits (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment so that you are able to write down the instances where you have experienced them in your life. The psychiatrist will then assess your answers and discuss the next steps to take including if you'd like to look into the possibility of medication.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments can be more efficient than waiting for an NHS appointment. However, it's more expensive. The cost of an ADHD online assessment can range between PS240 and PS2500. This includes the assessment, as well as a comprehensive diagnosis report as well as medication costs.
In the UK, adults and children can access ADHD assessments through the NHS through an appointment with a doctor. The BBC's investigation has revealed that there are lengthy waiting times to see an expert. One woman from Sheffield, for example has waited for two years for a specialist. The symptoms she has are suicidal thoughts, which can be an indication of undiagnosed ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, patients with ADHD is assessed by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the examination, a psychiatrist will examine and interview the patient, using questionnaires and observation of behaviour. adhd assessment cost uk will evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on everyday life.
People suffering from ADHD often try to manage their symptoms with strategies like diaries, calendars and post-it notes. These strategies aren't always effective. adhd assessment cheap can cause anxiety and confusion, especially in those with mental health issues. The assessment will include an examination of the body and a review of the medical history.
Right to Choose is a scheme offered by the NHS that allows you to select where you are assessed. Anyone registered with a GP office in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland can take advantage of this scheme. You can ask to have a private service that is partnered with NHS offer an ADHD assessment. If the service is licensed by NHS and does not charge more than NHS and you request to be recommended.
3. Diagnosis
An ADHD evaluation is usually carried out by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse and is based on the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). For adults, this includes examination of any comorbid conditions such as anxiety or depression.
During your appointment, you'll discuss with the doctor your current symptoms and any family history. They'll also ask you to fill out questionnaires or rating scales. During this process the expert will observe your behavior and how it affects others like your spouse or your children.
The psychiatrist will review all the evidence to determine if you are in line with the ADHD criteria and subtypes. Your doctor will then discuss their findings and discuss the best method of treatment.
If a psychiatrist recommends a medication you will be issued an order to take it to any pharmacy of your choice. Prescription fees are for administrative purposes only and do not cover the cost of medication. You'll need to pay separately for the medication. If you need an adjustment of your medication, additional appointments could be needed until you're comfortable with the medication.
It is essential to share your diagnosis with your GP as well as anyone else who might need to be aware of it, such as your school or employer. Our experts can also provide recommendation letters for educational accommodations for students, such as additional time for exams or shorter deadlines.
Some people may have difficulty obtaining an ADHD diagnosis, especially if their GP isn't convinced that they exhibit the symptoms. If this is the situation for you, we recommend taking a look at our Getting an ADHD Assessment page for tips and suggestions on how to get your GP to send you.
4. Medication
There are a variety of medicines that are approved for use in the UK to treat ADHD. These are typically stimulants and include the well-known methylphenidate drug (Ritalin) and the newer amphetamine based medicine lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). It is common to recommend that patients begin with a small amount of medication, which is then gradually increased over a period of visits until the patient reaches an acceptable dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular appointments with psychiatrists to discuss side effects and monitor progress.
The use of medication can ease the symptoms caused by ADHD and lessen the burden that they place on individuals, families and workplaces. They function by increasing neurotransmitters that allow brain cells to communicate. However, the correct drug can be very individual and determining it may take time. When someone is prescribed the correct medication, it's crucial to adhere to their treatment plan. If you continue to skip appointments or stop taking your medication, the symptoms can be recurrent and the medication may not work as effectively.
A specialist psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment session, but they will be able to refer you to a specialist nurse who will discuss the options for medication and prescribe if necessary. This will require further titration sessions to determine the correct dosage, and regular checks to ensure that your medication is working. Most of the time the NHS does not cover your prescription and therefore it will incur an additional cost from your pharmacy.
Private clinics can also charge for follow-up consultations. If required, this may include sending letters of recommendation to schools or employers. It can include guidance and advice regarding medication or medical concerns between appointments by emails or phone calls (limited to 20 minutes). The initial ADHD assessment is not inclusive of the costs for the titration or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has struggled for years to meet the demands for adult ADHD assessment. This has meant that many areas are experiencing waiting times that can be as long as eight years, according to BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The assessment process may be long however it is essential to have a clear diagnosis. The doctor who conducts your assessment will talk to you about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as the symptoms that you are experiencing and their impact on your daily routine. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems to help the psychiatrist assess how you are feeling.
Following the clinical interview you will receive a report from your specialist which will include the diagnosis of ADHD and suggestions for treatment and ongoing support. They will also discuss with you whether ADHD is a factor in any health problems or issues you might have.
There are various types of ADHD and they are all displayed differently in each individual. It is crucial to inform your doctor about the symptoms you're experiencing, so that they can determine the type of ADHD. A comprehensive ADHD assessment will assist you in finding the best treatment.
Private healthcare providers can provide an alternative method of ADHD assessment for individuals who are in a position to accelerate the process and avoid waiting for an NHS appointment. Individuals can self-refer directly to an individual mental health professional, and this can provide quicker access to specialists who have expertise in adult ADHD. The process usually begins with a consultation with a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who is experienced in adult ADHD assessments.