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 can opt to be referred privately by making use of their 'Right of Choice'.
This allows patients to be assessed and diagnosed within months, compared to waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting at various times
A growing number of people are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD. It is estimated that over one million adults have undiagnosed ADHD in the UK and wait times for NHS assessments are rising. In certain regions, it could take up to seven years for an appointment to become available. Famous people, like Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins and Johnny Vegas, have also spoken out about their experiences with the disease. However, many adults with a diagnosis are having to seek assistance privately.
In some instances, patients have been told that they must wait up to 18 months before receiving a prescription of ADHD medication. This is due to a shortage of personnel in the public health system. The problem is especially acute in Greater Manchester where service providers struggle to meet the demand. The lack of a top-down strategy for ADHD is to blame the issue, as services are swamped by referrals. This has led to the outsourcing of adult ADHD assessments to private companies like Psychiatry UK, resulting in lengthy waiting times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation has sparked debate about how private clinics diagnose ADHD. The investigation included an undercover journalist who visited three private clinics, and all of them diagnosed him with the condition. The BBC has claimed that these clinics are rushing through assessments and prescribing powerful medications without offering proper advice regarding possible adverse effects. Despite these claims however, the BBC report has been criticized for failing to pay attention to the larger issues relating to the provision ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has a backlog of more than 10,000 adult ADHD patients. This is a result of an increase in awareness and a growing number of patients seeking a diagnosis for the condition. The demand is even exceeding the capacity of NHS services in some areas, and they are being unable to offer an assessment in any way. For those fortunate 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 several ways for people to reduce the time it takes to wait for an ADHD diagnosis. The first step is to talk to their GP and explain the reason they think they may be suffering from the condition. Their GP should be concerned and send them to an assessment.
Psychiatrists
The process of being diagnosed with ADHD can be a snooze for adults. The NHS is struggling to meet the demand for ADHD tests. This has led to many ways to get assessments, from online to private clinics. These are not always reliable and can result in an inaccurate diagnosis.
When seeking a diagnosis of ADHD it is crucial to consult a psychiatrist who specialises in this type of condition. A general practitioner or psychologist may not possess the skills, knowledge and experience required to recognize ADHD. If you're unsure who to call, you can ask your local mental health service for the list. You can request your GP for the referral to a specialist. This is the fastest method to get an ADHD assessment.
ADHD is becoming more common, and a lot of people seek assistance. While it is not possible to completely cure the disorder but there are a number of treatments that can reduce symptoms. This includes psychiatric medicine and psychotherapy as well as lifestyle changes. Additionally, some people are also taking supplements to reduce the symptoms.
A specialist psychiatrist in ADHD can help find the best treatment for your symptoms. They will evaluate you for signs such as difficulty in concentrating, issues with working memory, poor sleeping habits and emotional dysregulation. They will also inquire about your childhood, as well as your family history. They will then devise an individualized plan for you which could include psychotherapy, medication or the combination of both.
You have a right to choose in the event that your GP refers you to 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 provide NHS assessments. These clinics have shorter waiting times and offer video calls.
The Psychiatrists of Anchor Psychiatry Group in Norfolk and Waveney have more than 23 years of combined experience in providing holistic psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assessments for adults. They specialise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) along with other presenting problems like anxiety and depression.
Costs
There is no doubt that the demand for private ADHD assessments is increasing, and this trend is set to continue. It is due to the increased awareness of the condition, an underfunded NHS and the fact that mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent. Additionally, many patients can see the damage that untreated ADHD can cause to their relationships and careers, and are prepared to be willing to pay for a diagnosis in order that they can get treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics caused concern about the way in which companies exploit vulnerable patients. The documentary revealed that certain private clinics charge patients thousands of pounds for mediocre assessment services, and poor aftercare. This is a serious issue that the government must address.
At present, the NHS allows adults to choose the psychiatrist they want to see for a diagnosis appointment. This option is typically restricted to a few NHS health regions, or to GPs with agreements with these providers. This means that GPs are often overwhelmed with this task and may not be able provide a complete service to adults with ADHD. This has led to a growth in private ADHD assessment services, which are generally cheaper than NHS appointments.
Some of these private services are great However, some aren't as dependable or professional as the NHS. Some of these services are even charging for the diagnosis itself and there is a danger that this can lead to patients who are apprehensive about their symptoms. This will not help their lives and waste money that could be spent on other treatments such as depression or anxiety.
Certain NHS services on the other hand are excellent and provide a professional and complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. These include the Maudsley Hospital in London, which is nationally renowned for its adult ADHD assessment and treatment. Even these services are in a struggle to meet the demands of increasing numbers of patients.
Insurance
It's costly to undergo an individual ADHD assessment, but it's worth it if you can afford. The diagnosis is essential for your well-being and can assist you in improving the quality of your life in many areas, including work and relationships. Your insurance provider should be aware of any diagnosis to determine the most appropriate level of protection for you.
If you are a member of a private health insurance policy, you should check its terms and conditions 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 pay for the examination, while others will. You should go over the terms and conditions carefully to understand what they cover.
private adhd assessment adults can refuse to refer a patient for an ADHD evaluation for a number of reasons. However it isn't always the case. If your GP is unwilling to help, find another. If your doctor won't sign a shared-care contract with you, you can have a second opinion in an ADHD clinic. There are several online ADHD tests available however they could be misleading.