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. Patients who have a GP in England can avail their "Right to Choose" and opt to be directed to a private service.
This allows patients to be diagnosed and assessed within a matter of months, as opposed to waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting several times
An increasing number of people are seeking to diagnose ADHD. In the UK, it is estimated that nearly one million adults are undiagnosed with ADHD. The waiting times for NHS assessments have risen dramatically. In certain areas, it could take up to seven years to get an appointment for an assessment. A few prominent people have expressed their opinions 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 instances patients were told they'd have to wait 18 months to get the prescription for ADHD medication. The shortage of staff within the public health system is the reason. The issue is particularly severe in Greater Manchester where service providers have to cope with the demand. Referrals result from the absence of a top down strategy for ADHD. This has led to the outsourcing of adult ADHD assessments to private providers, such as Psychiatry UK, resulting in long wait times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation has sparked debate about how private clinics diagnose ADHD. The investigation was conducted by an undercover journalist who visited three private clinics, all of which diagnosed ADHD in him. The BBC has claimed that these clinics are speeding through assessments and prescribing powerful drugs without giving proper advice about the possible side consequences. Despite these allegations, the BBC report has been criticized for its inability to focus its attention on the bigger issues surrounding the delivery of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has a backlog of more than 10,000 adult ADHD patients. The increasing awareness of the condition and the growing number of people who seek for a diagnosis are to blame. The demand is even exceeding the capacity of NHS services, with some areas unable to provide an assessment even. If you are fortunate enough to get an assessment on the NHS have long wait times for treatment.
There are a variety of ways to reduce the time required to wait for ADHD diagnosis. The first step is to talk to their GP and explain the reason they think they may be suffering from the disorder. Your GP should be concerned and refer them to an assessment.
Psychiatrists
The process of being diagnosed with ADHD can be a snooze for adults. There is a high demand for ADHD tests, but the NHS is unable to meet this demand. This has lead to a lot of shortcuts, ranging from private clinics to online assessments. They aren't always reliable and could result in an inaccurate diagnosis.
It is crucial to consult a psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD for an diagnosis. A general practitioner or a psychologist might not have the knowledge, skills and experience required to recognize ADHD. If you're not sure who to contact, ask your local mental health service for the list. You can also ask your GP to refer you to a specialist, which is typically the quickest way to get an ADHD assessment.
ADHD is becoming more common, and many people seek help. Although it isn't possible to completely cure the disorder, there are a number of treatments that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medication and psychotherapy as well as lifestyle adjustments. Certain people also take supplements to lessen symptoms.
A psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD can help you find the best treatment to treat your symptoms. They can assess your symptoms for difficulties 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 a personalised plan for you which could include psychotherapy, medication, or an amalgamation of both.
You can make a legal decision if your GP refers you to an adult ADHD assessment in England. You can use this Right to Choose service to select a clinic offering NHS assessments in your area. Alternately, you can avail the services of a private clinic that does NHS assessments. These clinics offer video calls and have shorter waiting times.
The Psychiatrists of Anchor Psychiatry Group, Norfolk and Waveney, have collective experience of more than 23 years of providing holistic psychiatric assessments as well as psychotherapeutic treatments for adults. They specialize in attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) along with other issues that present like depression and anxiety.
Costs
There is no doubt that the demand for private ADHD assessments is growing and the trend is expected to continue. It is partly down to increased awareness of the condition, an underfunded NHS and a world in which mental health issues are becoming more prevalent. Many patients are aware of the harm that untreated ADHD can cause to their careers and relationships and are willing to pay for getting diagnosed to receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary, which focused on the issue of private ADHD clinics, raised the issue that some businesses are exploitation of vulnerable patients. The programme exposed that some private clinics are charging people thousands of pounds for mediocre assessment services, and poor aftercare. This is a serious issue that the government must address.
Currently, the NHS allows adults to select which psychiatrist to see for a diagnosis appointment. However this option is usually restricted to specific NHS health regions and GPs with contracts with these providers. In the end, GPs are often overburdened with this work and may not be able to provide a complete service to people suffering from ADHD. Private ADHD assessment services have grown in popularity, as they are usually cheaper than NHS appointments.
While some of these private companies perform well however, some aren't as reliable or as professional as the NHS. Some of these services are charging for the diagnosis itself, and there is a chance that this will result in patients who are too concerned about their symptoms. This will not allow them live better lives and will waste money that could be spent on other services, like those for anxiety or depression.
Certain NHS services, on the other hand, are exemplary, and offer a professional, complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. This includes the Maudsley Hospital in London, which is nationally renowned for its adult ADHD assessment and care. These services are also struggling with the demand of increasing numbers of patients.
Insurance
It's costly to have a private ADHD assessment, but it's worth it if it's something you can afford. The diagnosis can enhance your living conditions and help you in many areas including your relationships at work and in other areas. Your insurance provider must be informed of any diagnosis to determine the best amount of protection for you.
Review your policy's 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 cover the assessment, but others will. It is essential to review the terms and conditions carefully to fully understand what they cover.
GPs might not be able to send patients to an ADHD evaluation for various reasons but this isn't always justified. If your GP does not want to help you, try to find another one. If your GP won't agree private adhd assessment near me to a shared-care arrangement with you, you may seek a second opinion at an ADHD clinic. There are also several online ADHD assessments, however they could be misleading.