The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health service will provide your medical and assessment when you decide to take the NHS route. The NHS is well-known for its lengthy waiting times.
You can also have your ADHD assessment privately funded by the 'Right to choose 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 of senior level to understand your thoughts presentation, experiences and experience. You will be asked questions regarding your family history as well as any mental health issues you may have encountered in the past. The psychiatrist will gather data from several sources including symptom checklists, as well as behaviour rating scales as well as speaking to you and your family members or close friends about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different settings.
Based on the healthcare professional's opinion, it may be necessary to assess whether or not your symptoms could be explained better by other medical or psychiatric disorders that coexist with ADHD. Anxiety disorders, for instance, can present with symptoms that are similar to ADHD and have an impact similar to ADHD on relationships and work. It is therefore important to rule out other disorders that may cause symptoms of ADHD before beginning to look at medications or other treatments for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you choose to go the NHS route, your first step is to visit your GP and provide the reason why you believe you have symptoms of ADHD. Your GP must consider this a serious matter and recommend you to an assessment. The NHS assessment waiting times can be very long. If you're not able to wait, you may choose the private route instead, which is more expensive but provides shorter wait times.
At the time of your appointment, you will be asked to complete several questionnaires. Then, the QbTest (a computer-generated test that measures core ADHD symptoms of activity, attention and impulsivity) will be administered. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the signs (symptoms) of ADHD before your appointment, so that you are able to write down instances of how you have experienced them in your daily life. The psychiatrist will evaluate your answers and discuss the next steps. one-time offer could include looking into the options for medication.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments can be a much faster option than waiting for a 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 full diagnosis report and the cost of medication.
In the UK, adults or children can receive ADHD assessments through the NHS through an appointment from their doctor. The BBC's investigation has revealed that there are long waiting times to visit a specialist. One woman in Sheffield, for example, has been waiting two years for a specialist. Suicidal impulses are among her symptoms, and could indicate that she is not diagnosed with ADHD.
The NHS guidelines for ADHD assessments state that a patient should be evaluated by a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or "other qualified healthcare professional" (NICE guidelines). During the examination, 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 everyday life.
People with ADHD often attempt to manage their symptoms through strategies such as diaries, calendars, and post-it notes. However, these strategies aren't always effective. They can lead to anxiety and confusion, especially for those who suffer from mental health issues. The evaluation will include an examination of the body and a review of medical history.
The NHS offers a program called Right to Choose, which allows you to choose the location to which you're referred for an assessment. It's available to anyone who is registered with a GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can ask to be recommended to a private company partnered with the NHS that can provide an ADHD assessment, as long as they're licensed by the NHS and do not charge more than the NHS.
3. Diagnosis
An ADHD assessment is typically conducted by psychiatrists or specialist nurses and follows the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). For adults, this includes examination of any comorbid conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
During your appointment, you'll discuss with the consultant your current symptoms as well as any family history. You'll be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems. During this process, the expert will evaluate how your behaviour impacts others in your life, such as your spouse or children.
The psychiatrist will review all of the information to determine if you fit the ADHD criteria including subtypes. Your doctor will explain their findings and will discuss with you the best approach to treat it.
If the psychiatrist recommends medication then a prescription will be given to you to visit a pharmacy of your preference. Prescription fees cover the administrative process but do not include the cost of the medications themselves, which you'll need to pay separately. If you need a medication titration, additional appointments might be required until you're stable on the medication.
It is important to discuss your diagnosis with your GP, as well as anyone else who might need to be aware of it, like your employer or school. Our specialists can provide letters of recommendation for accommodations in your education such as additional time during exams or reduced deadlines.
For some people, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis may be a long process, particularly if their GP doesn't consider them serious or doesn't believe they're suffering from the symptoms. If this is the case, you may want to read our page on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and suggestions on how to make your GP refer you for an assessment.
4. Medication
There are many medicines that are approved 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). In the beginning, it is recommended that patients start with a low dosage of medication that is gradually increased over a period of time until a patient is stabilised on their dosage. This is usually followed by regular sessions with psychiatrists to discuss any side effects and track the progress.
Medications can help to alleviate the many symptoms caused by ADHD and ease the burden they place on individuals, families and workplaces. They do this by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters that allow brain cells to communicate with each and each other. However, the right medication is a matter of individual preference and determining it may take time. Once someone is on the correct medication, it's vital that they remain with their treatment plan. Continuing to miss appointments or discontinuing their medication could cause symptoms to return and the medication not working as well.
A psychiatrist expert does not prescribe medication during the assessment session. However, they can refer you to an expert who will discuss your options for taking medication and prescribe if necessary. This may require further titration appointments to get the correct dosage and regular checks to ensure the effectiveness of your medication. The NHS does not usually pay for prescriptions, which means you will have to pay extra at your pharmacy.
Private clinics charge for follow-up consultations. If needed, this could include sending recommendation letters to schools or employers. It could 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 titration or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has been struggling for years to meet demands for adult ADHD assessment. According to BBC research waiting times in many areas can be as long as 8 years.
The assessment process can be long, but it's vital to have a clear diagnosis. The psychiatrist who will conduct the assessment will be in contact with you about your lifestyle and medical history and also your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems to help the doctor determine how you feel.
Following the clinical interview you will receive a report from your specialist which will include the diagnosis of ADHD and recommendations for treatment and ongoing support. They will also talk with you whether ADHD is a contributing factor to any health problems or issues you might have.
There are a variety of types of ADHD, and each presents differently for each person. It's important that you tell your doctor about the symptoms you're experiencing so that they can determine the type of ADHD. This is the reason a thorough ADHD assessment is crucial and will give you the most effective chance of finding the right treatment for your specific symptoms.
Private healthcare providers offer an alternative to the NHS for those who want to avoid waiting in line and wish to accelerate their ADHD assessment. Patients can self-refer to an individual mental health professional, and this can provide faster access to specialists with experience in adult ADHD. The process typically begins with a consultation with psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who is skilled in adult ADHD assessment.