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. Patients in England with a GP can opt to have their ADHD assessed privately making use of their ‘Right of Choice’.
This allows them to be assessed and diagnosed in a matter of months, which is a far cry from waiting years on the NHS.
Waiting at various times
A growing number of people are seeking to diagnose ADHD. In the UK it is estimated that nearly one million adults are not diagnosed with ADHD. The wait times for NHS assessments have risen dramatically. In certain areas, it can take up to seven years for an appointment to become available. A few prominent people have been vocal about the condition, such as Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins, and Johnny Vegas. However, many adults who require a diagnosis are forced to seek assistance privately.
In some instances patients were told they’d have wait for 18 months before they could get an order for ADHD medication. This is due to the shortage of staff in the public health system. The problem is especially acute in Greater Manchester, where service providers are struggling to cope with the demand. Referrals are the result of the absence of a top-down strategy for ADHD. This has led to the outsourcing of adult ADHD assessments to private adhd assessment bath firms, such as Psychiatry UK, resulting in lengthy waiting periods for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation has sparked debate over the way private clinics diagnose ADHD. The investigation involved an undercover journalist who visited three private clinics. All of them diagnosed the patient with the condition. The BBC has claimed that these clinics are speeding through tests and prescribing dangerous medications without offering proper advice regarding possible adverse consequences. However the BBC’s report has been criticised for not focusing on the wider issues surrounding the treatment of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has an unfinished business of more than 10,000 adult ADHD patients. This is a result of increased awareness and a growing number of people seeking to diagnose the condition. The demand for NHS services has exceeded the capacity of the service, and some regions are not able to provide an assessment. Those who are lucky enough to get an assessment on the NHS have long wait times for treatment.
There are several ways to reduce the time required to wait for ADHD diagnosis. First, they should talk to their GP to explain why they believe they may have ADHD. Their GP should be concerned and recommend an assessment.
Psychiatrists
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, the process can be a bit difficult. The NHS is unable to meet the demand for ADHD assessments. This has lead to numerous shortcuts, ranging from private clinics to online assessments. These are not always accurate and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
It is essential to speak with a psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD for an diagnosis. A general practitioner or psychologist might not have the necessary knowledge of skills, experience and expertise to diagnose. If you’re not sure who to contact, ask your local mental health service for the list. You may also request your GP to refer you to a specialist, which is typically the quickest method to receive an ADHD assessment.
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD and many people are seeking help for the condition. There is no cure for ADHD however there are treatments that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. In addition, some people are taking supplements to treat the symptoms.
A psychiatrist with a specialization in ADHD can assist you in finding the best treatment for your symptoms. They will evaluate you for signs such as difficulty in concentrating, issues with working memory, sleep habits and emotional dysregulation. They will also ask for details about your childhood as well as your family history. Then, they’ll make a plan specifically tailored to your needs. This may include medication or psychotherapy.
You can make a legal decision if your GP recommends an adult ADHD assessment in England. This Right to Choose service allows you to select a clinic in your area that provides NHS assessments. You can also avail the services of private clinics that offer NHS assessments. These clinics have much shorter waiting times and also offer video calls.
The Psychiatrists from Anchor Psychiatry Group, Norfolk and Waveney have a combined experience of more than 23 years providing holistic psychiatric assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions for adults. They specialise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) alongside other presenting problems like anxiety and depression.
Costs
The demand for private adhd assessment stoke on trent ADHD assessment is on the rise and is expected to grow. This is partly due to increased awareness of the condition, a deficient NHS and the fact that mental health issues are becoming more prevalent. In addition, many patients can see the damage that untreated ADHD can do to their careers and relationships and are willing to pay for a diagnosis so that they can receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics brought up concerns about businesses that exploit vulnerable patients. The documentary revealed that certain private adhd assessment bristol clinics charge patients thousands of pounds for subpar assessment services and poor aftercare. This is a serious issue that the government must address.
Adults can currently choose the psychiatrist they would like to consult for an appointment. However this option is usually restricted to certain NHS health regions and to doctors who have contracts with these providers. GPs may be overworked and not able to provide a complete service for adults with ADHD. Private ADHD assessment services have risen in popularity because they tend to be less expensive than NHS appointments.
While some of these private services are good at what they do, others are not as reliable or professional as the NHS. Some of these services are charging for the diagnosis, and there is a danger that this can lead to patients who are apprehensive about their symptoms. This won’t improve their lives and will cost money that could be used for other services such as anxiety or depression.
Some NHS services however, are exemplary, and offer a professional and complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London is a well-known center for adult ADHD assessment and treatment. Even these facilities are in a struggle to meet the demands of an ever-growing patient population.
Insurance
A private ADHD evaluation can be costly but it can be worth it if in a position to afford it. The diagnosis can improve your living conditions and aid you in a variety of areas such as your relationships and work. Your insurance provider must be informed of any diagnosis in order to determine the best amount of coverage you need.
Examine your policy’s terms & conditions to determine whether it covers ADHD tests. Axa PPP (private healthcare provider), Aviva (private health insurance provider), Bupa (private adhd assessment exeter health insurance provider), and Vitality Health all have different policies. Some will not pay for the assessment, but others will. It is important to read the terms and condition carefully to fully understand what they cover.
GPs may refuse to refer patients for an ADHD assessment due to various reasons but this isn’t always a valid reason. If your GP does not want to assist you, try to find another one. If your GP won’t sign a shared care contract with you for medication, you can try to get an additional opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are also a variety of online ADHD assessments that are available, but these can be inaccurate.