The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health system will provide your medical and assessment should you opt to take the NHS route. The NHS is well-known for its lengthy waiting times.
You can also have your ADHD assessment funded privately through the 'Right of Choice option in England. 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 be paired with a seasoned psychiatrist to understand your thoughts, presentations and experiences. You will be asked about your family background as well as any mental issues you have experienced in the past. The psychiatrist will then gather information from a number of sources such as symptom checklists and scales for assessing behavior as well as speaking to you and your family members or close friends about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different settings.
Depending on the medical expert's judgment, it could be necessary to determine whether or not your symptoms could be explained more effectively by other psychiatric or medical disorders that coexist with ADHD. For instance anxiety disorders may manifest similarly to symptoms of ADHD and may have a similar impact on the work environment and relationships. Before considering medication or other treatments, it is crucial to determine if there are any other disorders that could cause symptoms of ADHD.
The NHS Route
If you choose to utilize the NHS the first step is to go to your GP to explain the reason you believe you suffer from ADHD symptoms. Your GP should treat this as a serious matter and send you for an assessment. The NHS assessment wait times can be lengthy. If you are unable to 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 then administered the QbTest which is a computer-based test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, activity, and attention. It 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 life. The psychiatrist will evaluate your answers and discuss what the next steps are including if you'd like to explore medication options.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments can be more efficient than waiting for an NHS appointment. It can also be more expensive. The cost of an online assessment for ADHD patients can vary from PS240 to PS2500. This includes the assessment as well as a full diagnosis report and medication costs.
In the UK children and adults can get ADHD assessments through the NHS through the referral of a GP. The BBC's investigation reveals that there are long waiting times to consult a specialist. For example, one woman from Sheffield has been waiting for two years. The symptoms she has are suicidal thoughts that could be an indication of undiagnosed ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, a patient with ADHD is assessed by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the assessment, a psychiatrist will assess and interview the patient, using questionnaires and observation of behaviour. The psychiatrist will determine the severity of ADHD and the impact it has on daily living.
People suffering from ADHD tend to manage their symptoms with strategies like diaries, calendars and post-it notes. These strategies aren't always efficient. They can lead to anxiety and confusion, particularly for those who suffer from mental health issues. The assessment will include physical examination and a review of the medical history.
Right to Choose is a scheme offered by the NHS which allows you to choose the location to which you're being referred for an assessment. This is available to everyone who is registered with a GP in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You can request to be referred to a private service which is affiliated with the NHS that offers an ADHD assessment, as long that they're licensed by NHS and don't 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). Adults may also be assessed for co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression.
During your appointment, you will discuss with your doctor your current symptoms and any family history. You'll be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems. During this process the expert will note your behaviour and how it affects other people, such as your partner or your children.
The psychiatrist will take all information into consideration to determine whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and its subtypes. Your specialist will explain their findings and then discuss with you the best treatment.
If the psychiatrist suggests medication the prescription will be given to you to take to a pharmacy of your preference. The cost of prescriptions is for administrative purposes only and don't cover the cost of medication. You will have to pay separately for the medication. If you require an titration of your medication, further appointments may be needed until you're comfortable with the medication.
Once you've been diagnosed, it's important to share the results with your GP and anyone else you need to know, such as your school or employer. Our specialists can write letters of recommendation for accommodations in your education such as extended time during exams, or shorter deadlines.
For some, getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a lengthy process particularly if their GP doesn't consider them serious or doesn't believe they have the symptoms. If this is the case for you, we recommend taking a look at our Getting an ADHD Assessment page for tips and advice on how to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist.
4. Medication
In the UK there are a variety of medications that are approved to treat ADHD. These stimulants include the well-known amphetamine-based medication Lisdexamfetamine and the well-known methylphenidate drug Ritalin. Initially, it is usually recommended that patients start with a low dose of medication that is gradually increased over a number of appointments until a patient has stabilized on their dosage. This is often followed by regular appointments with psychiatrists to discuss side effects and monitor the progress.
Medicines can ease many symptoms that are caused by ADHD and reduce the burden that they place on individuals, families and workplaces. They function by increasing neurotransmitters, which enable brain cells to communicate. However, the right medication is a matter of individual preference and determining it could take time. Once someone is on the correct medication, it is essential that they stick to the treatment plan. Continuing to miss appointments or discontinuing their medication could lead to symptoms returning and the medication not working as efficiently.
A psychiatrist expert will not prescribe medication in the assessment session. However, they will refer you to a specialist who will discuss your options for medication with you and prescribe, if needed. This could require additional appointment for titration to determine the correct dosage and regular reviews to monitor the effectiveness of your medication. In general the NHS will not cover your prescription, so it will incur an additional cost for your pharmacy.
Private clinics can also charge for follow-up consultations. If necessary, this includes sending letters of recommendation to schools or employers. It can include advice and direction 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 titration or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has been struggling for a long time to meet demand for adult ADHD tests for adults with ADHD. As a result, many areas face wait times 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, but it's vital to have a clear diagnosis. The psychiatrist who will conduct the assessment will talk to you about your medical history and lifestyle and also your symptoms and their impact on your life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems to help the consultant assess how you are feeling.
After adhd assessment cheap after the clinical interview, you will receive an evaluation from your doctor that will include the diagnosis of ADHD and treatment recommendations and ongoing support. They will also inform you whether ADHD is a factor in any health problems or issues you might have.
There are many types of ADHD and they are all displayed differently in different people. This is why it's important to identify the exact symptoms you're experiencing so that your specialist can identify the right kind of ADHD. A thorough ADHD assessment can help you determine the best treatment.
Private healthcare providers provide an alternative to the NHS for those who want to avoid waiting in line and wish to speed up their ADHD evaluation. Patients can self-refer to an individual mental health professional, and this can provide more rapid access to specialists who have experience in adult ADHD. The process typically starts with a consultation with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in adult ADHD assessment.