ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Seek Help Privately
With wait times for service at an all time high, private adult ADHD assessments are becoming more popular. Patients who have a GP in England can avail their "Right to Choice" and request to be directed to a private service.
This allows them to be assessed and diagnosed within months, compared to waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting several times
A increasing number of people seek the diagnosis of ADHD. In the UK, it is estimated that more than one million adults aren't diagnosed with ADHD. Iam Psychiatry waiting times for NHS assessments have increased significantly. In certain areas, it could take up to seven years to make an appointment for an assessment. Some high-profile individuals have been vocal about the condition, such as Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins, and Johnny Vegas. Many adults who need medical attention must seek it privately.
In some cases patients were told they would need wait 18 months to get the prescription for ADHD medication. The lack of staff in the public health system is the reason. The problem is especially acute in Greater Manchester where service providers struggle to meet the demand. A lack of a top-down strategy to treat ADHD is the reason, with services swamped by referrals. This has led to an outsourcing of adult ADHD assessments to private providers, such as Psychiatry UK, resulting in long waiting times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation sparked a debate on the way private clinics diagnose ADHD. An undercover journalist visited three private clinics and was diagnosed with ADHD by all. The BBC claims that these clinics speed through assessments and prescribe powerful medications without providing proper advice about adverse effects. Despite these claims, the BBC report has been criticized as failing to pay attention to the larger issues relating to the delivery of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has an unfinished business of more than 10,000 adult ADHD patients. The growing awareness of the condition and the increasing number of people who seek a diagnosis are to blame. The demand for NHS services has surpassed the capacity of the service, and some areas are unable to offer an assessment. If you are fortunate enough to get an assessment on the NHS are faced with long waits for treatment.
There are a variety of ways to cut down the time required to wait for ADHD diagnosis. The first is to speak to their GP and explain the reason they think that they might have the condition. Their GP should be concerned and refer them to 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 a lot of shortcuts, ranging from private clinics to online assessments. They aren't always reliable and could result in a misdiagnosis.
When seeking a diagnosis of ADHD, it is important to seek out a psychiatrist who specialises in this type of condition. A general practitioner or a psychologist may not possess the knowledge, skills and experience required to recognize ADHD. If you are unsure who to call you can check with your local mental health service for the list of approved providers. You can request your GP for a referral to a specialist. This is the fastest way to receive an ADHD assessment.
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD and many are seeking help for the disorder. There is no cure for the disorder however there are treatments which can ease symptoms. This includes psychiatric medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications. Additionally, some people are also taking supplements to reduce the symptoms.
A psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD can assist you in finding the best treatment for your symptoms. They can assess you for signs such as difficulties in concentrating, issues with working memory, poor sleep habits, and emotional dysregulation. They will also inquire about your childhood, and your family history. Then, they'll create a plan that is specific to you. This could include psychotherapy or medication.
If you're referred to an adult ADHD assessment by your GP in England you have a legal right to choose the clinic you want to visit. You can use this Right to Choose service to select a clinic offering NHS assessments in your area. You can also make use of private clinics that offer NHS assessments. These clinics have shorter waiting times and also offer video calls.
The Psychiatrists at Anchor Psychiatry Group in Norfolk and Waveney have more than 23 years of experience in providing holistic psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assessments to adults. They specialize in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) alongside other presenting issues such as depression and anxiety.
Costs
There is no doubt that the demand for private ADHD assessments is growing and the trend is expected to continue. This is partly due to the increased awareness of the condition, a deficient NHS and a world in which mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent. In addition, a lot of patients can see the damage that untreated ADHD can do to their lives and relationships and are willing to pay for a diagnosis so that they can receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics raised concerns about companies exploiting vulnerable patients. The BBC Panorama documentary exposed that some private clinics charge people thousands of pounds to receive poor assessments and inadequate follow-up care. This is a serious issue that the government must address.
Currently, adults can choose which psychiatrist they want to visit to make an appointment. This option is typically restricted to specific NHS health regions, or to doctors who have agreements with these providers. They may be overwhelmed and are unable to provide full-service for adults suffering from ADHD. Private ADHD assessment services have grown in popularity, as they tend to be less expensive than NHS appointments.
Some of these private services are great However, some aren't as reliable and professional as the NHS. Some of these services charge for diagnosis, which could cause patients to be overly concerned with their symptoms. This will not improve their lives, and could waste money that could be spent on other treatments like anxiety or depression.
Some NHS services on the other hand are exceptional and offer a professional and complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London, is a nationally recognized center for adult ADHD assessment and treatment. Even these facilities are in a struggle to meet the demands of a rapidly growing patient population.
Insurance
A private ADHD assessment can be expensive but it can be worth it if in a position to pay for it. The diagnosis is crucial to your quality of life and can help you improve many areas of your life such as work and relationships. Your insurance provider must be informed of any diagnosis to determine the most appropriate level of protection for you.
Review your policy's terms and conditions to determine if the policy 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 companies won't pay the assessment fee while others will. It is important to review the terms and conditions carefully to find out what they cover.
GPs might not be able to send patients to an ADHD assessment due to various reasons but this isn't always a valid reason. If your GP is unable to assist you, try another. If your doctor is unwilling to sign a shared-care agreement with you to prescribe medication, it is possible to get an additional opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are several online ADHD tests available however they could be misleading.