ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Seek Help Privately
With service wait times at an all time high, private adult ADHD assessments are becoming more popular. Anyone who is registered with a GP in England have the option of using their "Right to Choose" and opt to be sent to a private company.
This enables them to be assessed and diagnosed within a couple of months, rather than waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting times
A growing number of people are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD. It is estimated that more than a million adults are suffering from undiagnosed ADHD in the UK and wait times for NHS assessments are increasing. In some areas it can take up to seven years to get an appointment for an assessment. Some high-profile individuals have expressed their opinions about the condition, including Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins, and Johnny Vegas. However many adults with a diagnosis are forced to seek assistance privately.
In some cases patients were told they would need wait for 18 months before they could be given the prescription for ADHD medication. This is due to a shortage of staff in the public health system. The issue is particularly acute in Greater Manchester where service providers are struggling to meet demand. A lack of a top-down approach to ADHD is the reason, with services swamped by referrals. This has led to an outsourcing of adult ADHD assessments to private firms like Psychiatry UK, resulting in long waiting periods for patients.
how to get a private adhd assessment has sparked debate over the way private clinics diagnose ADHD. The investigation was conducted by an undercover journalist who went to three private clinics. All of them diagnosed ADHD in him. The BBC has claimed that these clinics rush through assessments and prescribing powerful medications without offering proper advice about the possible side effects. Despite these allegations however, the BBC report has been criticized for its inability to focus its attention on the bigger issues surrounding the delivery of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has a backlog of over 10,000 adult ADHD patients. This is a result of increased awareness and a growing number of people seeking a diagnosis for the condition. The demand has even surpassed the capacity of NHS services and some areas are being unable to offer an assessment at all. If you are lucky enough to be able to get an assessment through the NHS will be waiting for a long time before they can get treatment.
There are several ways to cut down the time required to wait for ADHD diagnosis. The first is to speak to their GP and explain why they think they may be suffering from the disorder. Their GP should be concerned and refer them to an assessment.
Psychiatrists
The process of getting diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrating for adults. There is a high demand for ADHD assessments, but the NHS is unable to meet this demand. This has led to many alternatives, from online assessments to private clinics. They aren't always reliable and could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.
If you're seeking a diagnosis for ADHD, it is important to seek out a psychiatrist that is specialized in this type of condition. A general practitioner or psychologist might not have the expertise, knowledge, or expertise required to diagnose ADHD. If you're not sure who to call ask your local mental health service for an approved list of providers. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a specialist, which is typically the quickest way to get an ADHD assessment.
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD and many are seeking assistance for the condition. While it isn't possible to treat the condition but there are a number of treatments that can reduce symptoms. This includes psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Certain people also take supplements to reduce symptoms.
A psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD can assist you in finding the best treatment for your symptoms. They will evaluate you for signs such as difficulties in concentrating, issues with working memory, poor sleeping habits and emotional dysregulation. They will also ask about your childhood and your family history. They will then devise a personalised plan for you that may include medication, psychotherapy or an amalgamation of both.
You have a right to choose if your GP suggests an adult ADHD assessment in England. You can use the Right to Choose service to select a clinic that offers NHS assessments in your location. You can also avail the services of a private clinic that does NHS assessments. These clinics provide video calls and have shorter waiting times.
The Psychiatrists at Anchor Psychiatry Group in Norfolk and Waveney have more than 23 years of experience in providing holistic psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assessments to adults. They specialise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in addition to other issues such as depression and anxiety.
Costs
There is no doubt that the demand for private ADHD tests is increasing, and this trend is set to continue. It is partly down to the increased awareness of the condition, an underfunded NHS and an environment where mental health issues are becoming more prevalent. Many sufferers are aware of the harm that untreated ADHD could cause to their careers and relationships and are willing to pay for getting diagnosed so they can receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary, which focused on the issue of private ADHD clinics, raised concerns that some companies are exploiting vulnerable patients. The documentary by BBC Panorama revealed that private clinics charge people thousands of pounds for poor assessments and inadequate follow-up care. This is a serious problem that the government needs to address.
At present, the NHS lets adults choose the psychiatrist they want to see to schedule a diagnostic appointment. This option is usually restricted to specific NHS health regions or to GPs with agreements with these providers. GPs may be overworked and unable to provide full-service for adults with ADHD. Private ADHD assessment services have increased in popularity because they are usually cheaper than NHS appointments.
While certain private services perform well however, some aren't as dependable or as professional as the NHS. Some of these services are even charging for the diagnosis itself, and there is a chance that this can lead to patients who are too concerned about their symptoms. This will not allow patients live a better life, and it will also waste money that could be used on other services, like those for anxiety or depression.
Certain NHS services however, are exemplary, and offer a professional and complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. These include the Maudsley Hospital in London, that is renowned throughout the country for its adult ADHD assessment and care. Even these services are having to cope with the demands of a rapidly growing patient population.
Insurance
It's costly to undergo a private ADHD assessment however it's worth it if it's something you can afford. The diagnosis is essential for your quality of life and can help you improve the quality of your life in many areas, including work and relationships. You should inform your insurance provider of any diagnosis so that they can advise you on the best level of protection for you.
Check your policy's terms and conditions to determine if the policy covers ADHD assessments. Axa PPP (private healthcare provider), Aviva (private health insurance provider), Bupa (private health insurance provider) and Vitality Health all have different policies. Some companies won't pay the assessment fee while others will. You should go over the terms and conditions attentively to understand what they cover.
GPs may not be able to refer a patient for an ADHD evaluation for a number of reasons. However, this is not always the case. If your GP is unable to assist then find a different. If your GP will not sign a shared care agreement with you to prescribe medication, it is possible to seek another opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are a number of online ADHD assessments that are available, but they can be misleading.