adhd assessment price 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 known for its long waiting times.
In England there is also the option to get your ADHD assessment privately funded through the "Right to choose" option. The services you choose to use must be relevant to your clinical needs and should not cost more than NHS services.
1. In-person assessment
During the examination, you will be paired with a seasoned psychiatrist to analyze your thoughts, presentations, and experiences. You will be asked about your family background and any mental issues you have faced in the past. The psychiatrist will then gather information from a number of sources including symptom checklists, as well as behaviour rating scales and will also talk 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 assess whether or not your symptoms may be explained more effectively by other medical or psychiatric conditions that mimic or coexist with ADHD. For example anxiety disorders often manifest similarly to symptoms of ADHD and can have the same impact on relationships and work. It is therefore important to rule out any other disorder that could trigger symptoms of ADHD before moving on to consider treatment options or medications for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you decide to utilize the NHS the first step is to visit your GP to discuss the reasons you believe you have ADHD symptoms. Your GP must consider this a serious matter and recommend you to an assessment. However, waiting times for NHS assessments can be lengthy. If you're not able to wait, you can choose the private route, which is more expensive, but has shorter waiting times.
At the time of your appointment, you'll be asked to fill in several questionnaires, and then the QbTest (a computerised test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of attention, activity, and impulsivity) will be administered. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD prior to your appointment so that you can write down instances of how you have experienced them in your daily life. The psychiatrist will assess your answers, and then discuss the next steps. This could include looking into the options for medication.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments are an efficient alternative to waiting for a NHS appointment. It's also more expensive. The cost of an ADHD online assessment can vary between PS240 and PS2500. This includes the assessment, a full diagnostic report and medication costs.
In the UK, adults or children can receive ADHD assessments through the NHS through a referral from their GP. The BBC's investigation reveals that there are long waiting times to consult an expert. For example, one woman from Sheffield has been waiting for two years. Her symptoms include suicidal tendencies, which can be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD.
The NHS guidelines for ADHD assessments stipulate that a patient should be seen by a psychiatrist, specialist nurse or "other appropriately qualified healthcare professional" (NICE guidelines). During the assessment a psychiatrist will interview and examine the individual with questionnaires and observe their behavior. The psychiatrist will then assess the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on everyday life.
People suffering from ADHD often attempt to manage their symptoms using strategies like diaries calendars and post-it notes. These strategies aren't always effective. They can cause more stress and confusion, particularly for those already struggling with underlying mental health issues. The evaluation will include physical examination 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. Anyone who has a GP office in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland can take advantage of this program. You can ask to be recommended to a private company partnered with the NHS which offers an ADHD assessment, so long they're licensed by the NHS and do not charge more than the NHS.
3. Diagnosis
A specialist nurse or psychiatrist will usually conduct an ADHD assessment, using the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). For adults, this may include the assessment of comorbid disorders like anxiety or depression.
During the appointment, you'll discuss your current symptoms and your family history with the consultant. You'll be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems. In this process, the expert will note how your behaviour impacts others in your life, such as your children or spouse.
The doctor will take all information into consideration to determine whether you meet the requirements for ADHD as well as its subtypes. Your specialist will then explain their findings and discuss the best treatment options.
If a psychiatrist suggests a medication you will be given a prescription to take to any pharmacy of your choice. The cost of prescriptions is for the administrative process only and don't cover the cost of medication. You'll need to pay for the medication. Additional appointments are possible when you have to adjust your medication.
After you've received your diagnosis, it's important to share the results with your GP and anyone else you need to know, such as your employer or school. Our specialists can also write recommendation letters for educational accommodations like extra time in exams or reduced deadlines.
Certain people may have difficulty obtaining an ADHD diagnosis, especially if their GP isn't convinced that they are suffering from the symptoms. If this is the situation for you, we suggest taking a look at our Getting an ADHD Assessment page for tips and advice on how to get your GP to send you.
4. Medication
In the UK There are many medications that are approved to treat ADHD. These stimulants include the well-known amphetamine-based medicine Lisdexamfetamine, as well as the well-known methylphenidate medication Ritalin. It is generally recommended that patients begin with a small amount of medication, and then gradually increased over a period of appointments until the patient reaches a stable dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular appointments with psychiatrists to discuss the effects of medication and track the progress.
Medicines can ease many symptoms that are caused by ADHD and ease the burden they put on individuals, families and workplaces. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters which allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Finding the right drug is an individual matter, and can take some time. Once a patient is prescribed the appropriate medication, it's crucial to adhere to their treatment plan. If they continue to skip appointments or stop taking their medication can lead to symptoms returning and the medication not working as well.
A specialist psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment however, they will be able to refer you on to a specialist nurse who will discuss medication options and prescribe if necessary. This could require additional periodic titration sessions to ensure you are receiving the right dosage, and regular reviews to monitor the effectiveness of your medication. Most of the time, the NHS will not pay for your prescription, so it will incur an additional cost for your pharmacy.
Private clinics also charge for follow-up consultations. This includes writing and sending letters of recommendation to schools or employers when required. Brief phone conversations or email (limited to 20 min) can be used to provide advice and assistance with medication or medical questions in between appointments. The initial ADHD assessment does not include the costs for titration or follow-up.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has struggled for years to meet demand for adult ADHD assessments. According to BBC research waiting times in a variety of areas can exceed 8 years.
The assessment process can be lengthy but is necessary to get a thorough diagnosis. The psychiatrist who conducts your assessment will speak to you about your medical history and lifestyle as well as the symptoms that you are experiencing and the impact they have on your daily life. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or rating systems to help the doctor evaluate how you're feeling.
After the clinical interview, your doctor will write a report that will give you an assessment and recommendations for ongoing treatment and support in the event that you suffer from ADHD. They will also talk to you about if and how ADHD could be a factor in any health issues or concerns that you face.
There are many different kinds of ADHD and each one manifests differently for each person. This is why it's important to know the exact symptoms you're experiencing so that your specialist can determine the correct type of ADHD. A comprehensive ADHD assessment will assist you in finding the appropriate treatment.
Private healthcare providers are an alternative to the NHS for those who want to avoid the wait and to accelerate their ADHD evaluation. Patients can self-refer to an individual mental health professional and get faster access to specialists with experience in adult ADHD. This process usually begins with a consultation with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced in adult ADHD assessment.