The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
The national health system will provide your medical and assessment if you choose to go the NHS route. However the NHS typically has lengthy waiting times.
In England, you can also have your ADHD evaluation privately funded via the "Right to Choose" option. However, the services you can select must be appropriate for your needs and not cost more than an NHS one.
1. In-person assessment
During the examination you will be working with a psychiatrist who is senior to fully comprehend your thoughts presentation, experiences and experience. You will be asked questions about your family history as well as any mental health issues that you may have had in the past. The psychiatrist will gather information from a variety of sources including symptoms checklists, behavior rating scales, and talk to you, your family or close friends about how ADHD symptoms impact your life in various scenarios.
Depending on your healthcare professional's judgment, it may be important to determine if your symptoms could be more easily explained by psychiatric or medical disorders that are akin to or coexist alongside ADHD. Anxiety disorders, like may present with symptoms that are similar to ADHD and have the same effect on relationships and work. It is therefore crucial to rule out other disorders that can cause symptoms of ADHD before moving on to consider treatment options or medications for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you decide to take the NHS route, your first step is to visit your GP and discuss the reasons you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. additional reading should consider this to be a serious matter and recommend you to an assessment. The NHS assessment waiting times can be long. If you're unable to wait, you can choose the private route, which is more expensive but offers shorter waiting times.
During your appointment you will be asked some questions and then administered the QbTest, a computerised test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and activity as well as attention. You should be familiar with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to 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 including if you'd like to consider pursuing treatment options.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments are more efficient 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, a complete diagnostic report and medication costs.
In the UK, children and adults are able to access ADHD assessments on the NHS through an appointment with a doctor. However, the BBC's investigation has revealed that there are long wait times to see specialists. For instance, a woman from Sheffield has been waiting for two years. The symptoms she has are suicidal thoughts, which can be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, patients with ADHD is assessed by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the examination, psychiatrists will interview and examine the patient with questionnaires and observe their behavior. The psychiatrist will determine the severity of ADHD and its impact on daily living.
People suffering from ADHD tend to manage their symptoms through strategies like diaries, calendars, and post-it notes. These strategies aren't always effective. They can lead to 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.
The NHS has a scheme known as Right to Choose, which allows you to choose the location to which you're referred for an assessment. Anyone who has an GP office in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland can take advantage of this program. You can ask to be directed to a private clinic partnered with the NHS that offers an ADHD assessment, as long as they're licensed by the NHS and don't charge more than the NHS.
3. Diagnosis
An ADHD assessment is usually conducted by psychiatrists or specialist nurses and is based on the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Adults can also be evaluated for comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression.
During your appointment, you'll discuss with the consultant your current symptoms and any family history. You'll be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems. The expert will observe your behavior and how it affects others such as your spouse or your children.
The psychiatrist will take into consideration all the data to determine if you fit the ADHD criteria and subtypes. Your doctor will then discuss their findings and discuss the best treatment options.
If the doctor recommends a medication the prescription will be issued for you to visit a pharmacy of your choice. The prescription fees are for administrative purposes only and do not cover the cost of medicines. You will have to pay for the medication. If you require an titration of your medication, further appointments may be required until you're stable on the medication.
It's important that you share your diagnosis with your GP as well as anyone else who may need to be aware of it, like your school or employer. Our specialists can provide letters of recommendation to request educational accommodations such as extra time during exams or reduced deadlines.
For some people, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis may be a long process, especially when 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 go through our article on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and advice about how to get your GP to refer you for an assessment.
4. Medication
There are a variety of medications that are licensed to be used in the UK to treat ADHD. They are usually stimulants and include the well-known methylphenidate medication (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 number of visits until the patient reaches a stable dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular appointments with psychiatrists to discuss the effects of medication and track progress.
The medications can reduce symptoms of ADHD and ease the burden they put on families, people and employers. They work by increasing neurotransmitters, which enable brain cells to communicate. Finding the right medication is an individual matter, and can take some time. When someone is prescribed the appropriate medication, it's important to stick to their treatment regimen. If you continue to skip appointments or stop taking your medication, the symptoms could be recurrent and the medication may not be as effective.
A specialist psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment session however, they will be able to refer you to an expert nurse who will discuss the options for medication and prescribe, if needed. This may require further periodic titration sessions to ensure you are receiving the correct dosage and regular checks to ensure the effectiveness of your medication. Typically the NHS will not cover your prescription and so this would incur an additional cost for your pharmacy.
Private clinics charge for follow-up consultations. If needed, this could include sending letters of recommendation to employers or schools. Short phone calls or emails (limited to 20 min) can be used to offer advice and assistance with medical or medication questions between appointments. The initial ADHD assessment does not include the costs for treatment or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has long struggled to meet demand for adult ADHD assessments. According to BBC research, waiting times in many areas can be as long as 8 years.
The assessment process is lengthy but is necessary to provide a complete diagnosis. The doctor who conducts your assessment will speak to you about your medical history and lifestyle, and also the symptoms you're experiencing and their impact on your daily routine. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems to help the psychiatrist evaluate how you're feeling.
Following the clinical interview, your doctor will write an assessment report that will give you a diagnosis and recommendations for ongoing treatment and support if you have ADHD. They will also inform you if ADHD is a contributing factor to any health issues or concerns you might have.
There are various kinds of ADHD and they are all displayed differently in different people. This is why it's crucial to understand the specific symptoms you're experiencing so that your doctor can determine the correct type of ADHD. This is why a comprehensive ADHD assessment is essential and will give you the best chance of finding the right treatment for your symptoms.
Private healthcare providers provide an alternative to the NHS for those who wish to avoid waiting in line and wish to speed up their ADHD evaluation. Patients can self-refer to a private mental health provider which can give more rapid access to specialists with experience in adult ADHD. This process usually starts with a meeting with psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is skilled in adult ADHD assessment.