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 choose to be referred to a private provider.
This allows them to get assessed and diagnosed within a couple of months, instead of waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting times
An increasing number of people are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD. It is estimated that more than a million adults have undiagnosed ADHD in the UK, and waiting times for NHS assessments are increasing. In some areas, it can take up to seven years to make an appointment for an assessment. Celebrities, such as Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins and Johnny Vegas have also spoken out about their experiences with the condition. Many adults who require medical attention must seek it privately.
In a few instances, patients have been told that they must wait for up to 18 months for a prescription of ADHD medication. The lack of staff in the public health system is at fault. The problem is especially severe in Greater Manchester where service providers struggle to meet the demand. Referrals result from the lack of a top down strategy for ADHD. This has resulted in the outsourcing adult ADHD evaluation to private providers such as Psychiatry UK. The result is long wait times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation sparked a debate about how private clinics diagnose ADHD. An undercover journalist visited three private clinics and was diagnosed with ADHD by all. The BBC has claimed that these clinics are rushing through assessments and prescribing powerful drugs without giving proper advice about the possible side consequences. However, the BBC's report has come under fire for failing to focus on the larger issues relating to the delivery of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has a backlog of more than 10,000 adult ADHD patients. The growing awareness of ADHD and the increasing number of people seeking for a diagnosis are to blame. The demand for NHS services has exceeded their capacity, and certain areas are unable to offer an assessment. Those who are lucky enough to get an assessment on the NHS are faced with long waits for treatment.
There are several ways that people can reduce the time they wait to receive an ADHD diagnosis. First, they should speak to their GP to explain why they think they might have ADHD. Your GP should be concerned and recommend an assessment.
Psychiatrists
The process of being diagnosed with ADHD can be a snooze for adults. The NHS is unable to meet the demand for ADHD tests. This has lead to a lot of shortcuts, ranging from private clinics to online assessments. They aren't always reliable and can result in an inaccurate diagnosis.
It is important to consult an expert psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about ADHD for an diagnosis. A general practitioner or psychologist might not have the skills, knowledge and experience required to recognize ADHD. If you're unsure who to contact, ask your local mental health service for an alphabetical list. You can request your GP for an appointment with a specialist. This is the quickest method to get 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 but there are treatments that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medicines as well as psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments. Certain people also take supplements to reduce symptoms.
A psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD can assist you in finding the most effective treatment for your symptoms. They can assess your symptoms, such as difficulties in concentrating, problems with memory, poor sleeping habits and emotional dysregulation. They will also inquire about your childhood, as well as your family history. They will then make a plan specific to you. This could include medication or psychotherapy.
If adhd assessment private are referred to an adult ADHD assessment by your GP in England, you have a legal right to choose which provider to see. This Right to Choose service allows you to select a clinic in your area that provides NHS assessments. You can also go to private clinics to conduct NHS assessments. These clinics provide video calls and offer shorter waiting times.
The Psychiatrists from Anchor Psychiatry Group in Norfolk and Waveney have more than 23 years of experience in providing holistic psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assessments for adults. They specialize in attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) as well as other presenting issues like anxiety and depression.
Costs
There is no doubt that the demand for private ADHD assessments is growing, and this trend is expected to continue. It is partly down to the increased awareness of the condition, an underfunded NHS and the fact that mental health issues are becoming increasingly common. Many sufferers are aware of the damage that untreated ADHD could cause to their relationships and careers and are willing to pay to get diagnosed to receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary, which examined the issue of private ADHD clinics, raised the issue that some companies are exploiting vulnerable patients. The documentary by BBC Panorama exposed that some private clinics charge people thousands of pounds for poor assessments and inadequate follow-up care. This is a serious concern and something that must be addressed by the government.
Presently, adults can select which doctor they wish to consult for an appointment. However, this option is often limited to specific NHS health regions as well as to doctors who have contracts with these providers. They may be overwhelmed and are unable to provide a full service for adults suffering from ADHD. Private ADHD assessment services have risen in popularity, as they tend to be less expensive than NHS appointments.
While some of these private companies perform well, others are not as reliable or as professional as the NHS. Some of these services are even charging for the diagnosis itself, and there is a danger that this could lead to patients who are overly concerned about their symptoms. This won't help them to live better lives and could waste money that could be used on other services, such as those for anxiety or depression.
Certain NHS services however are exceptional and offer a professional, complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London, is a nationally recognized center for adult ADHD assessment and treatment. But even these services are struggling with the demands of an growing patient population, and they're not likely to improve unless the government increases investment in mental health services.
Insurance
It's expensive to get a private ADHD assessment but it's well worth it if it's something you can afford. The diagnosis is crucial for your overall health and can help you improve many areas of your life such as work and relationships. Your insurance provider should be informed of any diagnosis in order to determine the best amount of protection for you.
Review your policy's terms and conditions to determine if it covers ADHD assessments. The four major private health insurance providers, Axa PPP, Aviva, Bupa, and Vitality Health each have their own policies. Some will not cover the assessment, but others will. It is important to study the terms and conditions carefully to fully understand what they cover.
GPs might not be able to refer patients for an ADHD assessment due to various reasons however this isn't always the case. If your GP will not help, find another. If your doctor is unwilling to sign a shared care agreement with you regarding medication, you may want to get a second opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are many online ADHD tests that are available, but they can be misleading.