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 in England with a GP are able to opt to be referred privately making use of their 'Right of Choice'.
This allows them to get assessed and diagnosed in a matter of months, instead of waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting times
A growing number of people seek an assessment for ADHD. It is estimated that more than a million adults have 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. High-profile individuals, such as Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins and Johnny Vegas have also spoken out about their experiences with the condition. However, many adults with a diagnosis are having to seek out help privately.
In https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-assessments/ , patients were told they'd have wait for 18 months before they could receive a prescription for ADHD medication. The lack of staff in the public health system is to blame. The problem is especially acute in Greater Manchester where service providers have to cope with the demand. Referrals result from the lack of a top-down strategy for ADHD. This has led to the outsourcing of adult ADHD assessments to private firms, such as Psychiatry UK, resulting in lengthy waiting periods for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation has sparked debate about how private clinics diagnose ADHD. A journalist undercover visited three private clinics and was deemed with ADHD by all. The BBC has claimed that these clinics are speeding through assessments and prescribing powerful drugs without giving proper advice about possible side effects. Despite these allegations however, the BBC report has been criticized for failing to focus its attention on the bigger issues surrounding the provision ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has a backlog of over 10,000 adult ADHD patients. The increased awareness of ADHD and the increasing number of people who seek an assessment are the reason. The demand has 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 receive treatment.
There are many ways to reduce the time required to wait for ADHD diagnosis. First, they should talk to their GP to explain the reason they believe they be suffering from ADHD. Their GP should be concerned and refer them to an assessment.
Psychiatrists
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult the process can be difficult. There is a high demand for ADHD tests, but the NHS is struggling to meet it. This has led to a variety of ways to get assessments, from online to private clinics. They aren't always reliable and can result in a misdiagnosis.
It is important to consult a psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD for an assessment. A general practitioner or psychologist might not have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to make a diagnosis. If you're unsure who to contact, ask your local mental health clinic for an alphabetical list. You can ask your GP for an appointment with a specialist. This is the most efficient method to get an ADHD assessment.
ADHD is becoming more and more commonplace, and many people seek assistance. There is no cure for ADHD but there are treatments which can ease symptoms. This includes psychiatric medications psychotherapy, as well as lifestyle changes. Certain people also take supplements to help reduce symptoms.
A psychiatrist with a specialization in ADHD can assist you in finding the most effective treatment for your symptoms. They can assess your symptoms, such as difficulties concentrating, problems with memory, poor sleep habits and emotional dysregulation. They will also request details about your childhood as well as your family history. They will then create a plan that is tailored to you. This could include medication or psychotherapy.
You have a legal choice in the event that your GP recommends an adult ADHD assessment in England. This Right to Choose service allows you to choose an area-specific clinic that offers NHS assessments. You can also avail the services of private clinics that offer NHS assessments. These clinics provide video calls and have shorter waiting times.
The Psychiatrists from Anchor Psychiatry Group, Norfolk and Waveney have a combined experience of more than 23 years of providing holistic psychiatric assessments and psychotherapeutic treatments for adults. They specialize in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) along with other presenting issues like depression and anxiety.
Costs
The demand for private ADHD assessment is increasing and is expected to increase. This is partly due to increased awareness of the condition, a deficient NHS and an environment where mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent. Many sufferers are aware of the damage that untreated ADHD could cause to their career and relationships and are willing to pay to be diagnosed to receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics raised concerns about companies exploiting vulnerable patients. The documentary by BBC Panorama revealed that some private clinics charge patients thousands of pounds to receive poor assessments and inadequate follow-up care. This is a serious concern and is something that must be addressed by the government.
Currently, adults can choose which psychiatrist they want to consult for an appointment. This choice is usually limited to a few NHS health regions, or to GPs with contracts with these providers. The GPs are often overwhelmed and are unable to provide full-service for adults suffering from ADHD. This has led to an increase in private ADHD assessment services, which are typically less expensive than NHS appointments.
While some of these private services perform well but others aren't as reliable or as professional as the NHS. Some of these services are even charging for the diagnosis, and there is a chance that this could lead to patients who are apprehensive about their symptoms. This will not help their lives, and could cost money that could have been spent on other services such as anxiety or depression.
Certain NHS services however are excellent and provide a professional and comprehensive service for adults with ADHD. These include the Maudsley Hospital in London, that is renowned throughout the country for its adult ADHD assessment and treatment. These services are also struggling with the demand of increasing numbers of patients.
Insurance
It's costly to get an in-depth ADHD assessment, but 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 relationships and work. It is important to inform your insurance company of any medical condition so that they can advise you on the best level of protection for you.
If you have a private health insurance policy it is important to review the terms and conditions of the policy to determine if it 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. Certain companies do not have to pay the assessment fee, while others will. It is crucial to review the terms and conditions carefully to fully understand what they cover.
GPs may not be able to refer a patient to an ADHD evaluation for a number of reasons. However this isn't always the situation. If your GP is unable to assist then find a different. If your GP will not sign a shared care agreement with you regarding medication, it is possible to seek an additional opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are also several online ADHD assessments available, but they can be incorrect.