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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. However, the NHS typically has lengthy waiting times.

In England there is also the option to have your ADHD evaluation privately funded via the "Right to Choose" pathway. However the services you choose must be suitable for your clinical needs and not cost more than an NHS one.

1. In-person assessment

During the assessment you will be paired with a seasoned psychiatrist to understand your thoughts, presentations, and experiences. 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 then gather information from various sources, including symptom checklists and scales of behavior rating and will also talk with you and your relatives or close friends about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different environments.

Based on your doctor's judgment, it may be important to determine if your symptoms could be more easily explained by psychiatric or medical disorders that mimic or coexist with ADHD. For instance anxiety disorders may be similar to symptoms of ADHD and may have a similar impact on work and relationships. It is therefore crucial to rule out any other disorder that may cause symptoms of ADHD before beginning to look at medications or other treatments for the disorder.

The NHS Route

If you decide to utilize the NHS, your first step is to visit your GP to explain why you think you may have ADHD symptoms. Your GP must take this seriously and refer you to an assessment. However, waiting times for NHS assessments can be lengthy. If you cannot wait, you may choose the private route which is more expensive however has shorter waiting times.

In your appointment, you'll be asked questions and will be administered the QbTest which is a computer-based test that measures the most important ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and activity as well as attention. You should be familiar with the signs of ADHD to be able to describe how you experience these traits in your daily life. The psychiatrist will evaluate your answers and determine the next steps should be and whether you would like to consider pursuing the possibility of medication.

2. Online assessment

Online assessments can be an efficient alternative to waiting for a NHS appointment. However, it can 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 as well as medication costs.

In the UK adults and children can access ADHD assessments on the NHS through a GP referral. However, the BBC's investigation has revealed long wait times to consult specialists. For example, one woman in Sheffield has been waiting for two years. Her symptoms include suicidal tendencies which could be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD.

According to NHS guidelines, patients who suffers from ADHD should be evaluated by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the assessment the psychiatrist will examine and interview the individual, through questionnaires and observation of behavior. The psychiatrist will then assess the severity of ADHD symptoms and their impact on daily life.

People suffering from ADHD often use strategies like diaries, calendars and post-it notes to manage their symptoms. These methods are not always efficient. 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 medical history.

Right to Choose is a program of the NHS that allows you to choose where you're being 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 referred to a private service partnered with the NHS which offers an ADHD assessment, as long they're licensed by the NHS and don't 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 involves examination of any comorbid conditions, such as anxiety or depression.


During your appointment, you will discuss with the consultant your current symptoms as well as any family history. You'll be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems. The expert will evaluate your behavior and how it impacts others like your spouse or your children.

The psychiatrist will take into consideration all the evidence to determine if you are in line with the ADHD criteria including subtypes. Your doctor will then discuss their findings and suggest the best course of treatment.

If the psychiatrist suggests medication, a prescription will be provided for you to take to a pharmacist of your preference. The prescription fees are intended for administrative use only and do not cover the cost of medicines. You'll have to pay separately for the medication. If you need a medication titration, additional appointments might be required until you're stable with the medication.

After you've received your diagnosis, it's important to share the results with your GP and anyone else who needs to know, such as your school or employer. Our specialists can provide letters of recommendation to request educational accommodations such as extended time during exams, or shorter deadlines.

For some people, getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a lengthy process, particularly when their GP doesn't consider them serious or doesn't believe they're suffering from the symptoms. If this is you are one of them, you might want to go through our article on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and suggestions on how to make your GP refer to you.

4. Medication

In the UK there are a variety of medications that are approved for treating ADHD. They are usually stimulants and include the well-known methylphenidate drug (Ritalin) and the more recent amphetamine based medicine Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). It is generally recommended that patients start with a small amount of medication, which is gradually increased over a series of appointments until the patient reaches an appropriate dosage. This is often followed by regular meetings with a psychiatrist to discuss the effects of medication and track progress.

Medicines can ease the symptoms caused by ADHD and lessen the burden that they place on families, individuals and workplaces. They help by increasing neurotransmitters, which allow brain cells to communicate. However, the right medication can be a bit different for each person and determining it may take time. Once someone is prescribed the appropriate medication, it's essential to stick to the treatment plan. Continuing to miss appointments or stopping taking their medication could result in symptoms recurring and the medication not working as well.

A qualified psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment however, they can refer you to a specialist nurse who will discuss medication options and prescribe if appropriate. This will involve further periodic titration sessions to ensure you are receiving the right dosage, and regular reviews to check the effectiveness of your medication. Typically, the NHS does not cover your prescription and therefore it will incur an additional cost for your pharmacy.

Private clinics also charge for follow-up consultations. This includes writing and sending recommendations to schools or employers if required. Brief phone conversations or email (limited to 20 min) can be used to offer guidance and advice on medical or medication questions between appointments. The initial ADHD assessment does not include the cost for the titration or follow-up.

5. Follow-up

The NHS has been struggling for years to meet demands for adult ADHD assessment. In the end, some areas are experiencing 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 lengthy however it is essential for a thorough diagnosis. The doctor who conducts your assessment will talk to you about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. You may be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems to help the doctor evaluate how you're feeling.

Following the clinical interview after the clinical interview, you will receive an evaluation from your doctor that will include an assessment of ADHD and treatment recommendations and ongoing support. They will also talk with you if ADHD is a contributing factor to any health problems or issues you might have.

There are many types of ADHD and they appear differently in every individual. It's important that you tell your doctor about the symptoms that you are experiencing, to determine the type of ADHD. This is the reason a thorough ADHD assessment is essential and will give you the best chance of locating the right treatment for your symptoms.

Private healthcare providers can provide an alternative route to an ADHD assessment for individuals who are in a position to accelerate the process and avoid waiting for an NHS appointment. Self-referrals to private mental health services will allow people to connect with specialists who specialize in adult ADHD more quickly. psychiatrist adhd assessment starts with a first consultation with a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist experienced in adult ADHD evaluations.

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