ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Seek Help Privately
With wait times for service at an all time high, private adult ADHD assessments are becoming increasingly popular. Anyone who is registered with a GP in England have the option of using their "Right to Choose" and choose to be directed to a private service.
This allows 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 an assessment for ADHD. In the UK, it is estimated that over one million adults are undiagnosed with ADHD. The waiting times for NHS assessments have increased dramatically. In some areas, it can take up to seven years for an appointment to be available. Some famous people have spoken out about the condition, such as Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins, and Johnny Vegas. However many people who require a diagnosis are having to seek assistance privately.
In some cases, patients have been told that they must wait for up to 18 months for a prescription of ADHD medication. The lack of staff within the public health system is at fault. The problem is especially acute in Greater Manchester, where service providers are struggling to cope with demand. Referrals are the result of the absence of a top-down strategy for ADHD. This has resulted in the outsourcing of adult ADHD assessment to private providers like Psychiatry UK. The result is long wait times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation sparked a debate about the method by which private clinics diagnose ADHD. An undercover journalist toured three private clinics and was diagnosed with ADHD by all. The BBC claims that these clinics rush through tests and prescribe powerful medications without offering proper advice on the adverse effects. In spite of these claims, the BBC's report has come under fire for failing to focus on the larger issues relating to the provision of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS has more than 10,000 adult ADHD cases on its waiting list. This is a result of increased awareness and a growing number of patients seeking a diagnosis for the condition. The demand has even surpassed the capacity of NHS services and some areas are unable to provide an assessment at all. If you are lucky enough to receive an assessment through the NHS will be waiting for a long time before they are able to receive treatment.
There are a variety of ways to cut down the time required to wait for ADHD diagnoses. The first is to speak to their GP and explain the reason they think that they might have the condition. The doctor should be concerned and recommend an assessment.
Psychiatrists
The process of getting diagnosed with ADHD can be difficult for adults. There is a lot of demand for ADHD assessments, yet the NHS is unable to meet it. This has led to a variety of ways to get assessments, from online to private clinics. They aren't always accurate and could lead to a misdiagnosis.
It is important to consult a psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD for a diagnosis. A general practitioner or psychologist might not have the knowledge or expertise required to determine a diagnosis. If you're not sure which one to go to ask the local mental health services for an approved list of providers. You can request your GP for an appointment with an expert. This is the fastest way to receive an ADHD assessment.
ADHD is becoming more common, and many people seek help. There is no cure for ADHD, but there are treatments that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. In addition, some people are taking supplements to help reduce the symptoms.
A psychiatrist with a specialization in ADHD can help you find the best treatment for your symptoms. They can assess your symptoms for difficulty in concentrating, issues with working memory, poor sleep habits and emotional dysregulation. They will also inquire about your childhood, and your family history. They will then work out a personalised plan for you which could include medication, psychotherapy or the combination of both.
You have a legal choice if your GP refers you to an adult ADHD assessment in England. You can use this Right to Choose service to select website a clinic offering NHS assessments in your area. You can also make use of private clinics that provide NHS assessments. These clinics have much shorter waiting times and also offer video calls.
The Psychiatrists of Anchor Psychiatry Group, Norfolk and Waveney, have collective experience of more than 23 years providing holistic psychiatric assessments and psychotherapeutic interventions for adults. They specialise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in addition to other issues like anxiety and depression.
Costs
The demand for private ADHD assessment is on the rise and is expected to increase. It is due to the increased awareness of the condition, an underfunded NHS and the fact that mental health issues are becoming more widespread. Additionally, many sufferers can see the harm that untreated ADHD can do to their lives and relationships, and are prepared to pay for a diagnosis so they can receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics caused concern about the way in which companies exploit vulnerable patients. The programme exposed that some private clinics charge patients thousands of pounds for mediocre assessment services, and poor aftercare. This is a serious problem that the government needs to address.
Presently, adults can select the psychiatrist they would like to visit for an appointment. However this option is usually restricted to specific NHS health regions as well as to GPs who have contracts with these providers. GPs may be overworked and not able to provide a full service for people suffering from ADHD. This has led to a rise in private ADHD assessment services, which are typically cheaper than NHS appointments.
While some of these private companies perform well, others are not as reliable or professional as the NHS. Some of these services are charging for the diagnosis, and there is a chance that this could lead to patients who are too concerned about their symptoms. This won't help them live better lives and could waste money that could be used on other services, like those for depression or anxiety.
However, some NHS services are excellent and offer a professional complete service to adults with ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London is a well-known center for adult ADHD assessment and treatment. However, even these services are struggling to keep up with the demands of a rapidly growing patient population, and they are unlikely to change unless the government increases investment in mental health services.
Insurance
It's costly to undergo an individual ADHD assessment however it's worth it if it's something you can afford. The diagnosis can enhance your living conditions and aid you in a variety of areas including your relationships at work and in other areas. It is important to inform your insurance provider of any medical condition so that they can assist you in determining the appropriate level of coverage for you.
If you have an insurance policy for private health be sure to check the terms and conditions of the policy to determine whether 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. Some will not cover the exam, but others will. You should go over the terms and conditions carefully to learn what they cover.
Doctors may not send patients to an ADHD evaluation for different reasons however this isn't always justified. If your GP is unable to assist, find another. If your doctor is unwilling to sign a shared care contract with you regarding medication, you can try to seek another opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are also several online ADHD assessments that are available, but they could be misleading.