ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Seek Help Privately
With service wait times at an all time high private adult ADHD assessments are becoming increasingly popular. Patients who have a GP in England can avail their "Right to Choice" and request to be referred to a private provider.
This allows patients to be assessed and diagnosed in a matter of months, which is a far cry from waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting several times
A increasing number of people seek the diagnosis of ADHD. It is estimated that more than a million adults are suffering from undiagnosed ADHD in the UK and wait times for NHS assessments are soaring. In certain areas, it could take up to seven years to get an appointment for an assessment. Some high-profile individuals 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 cases, patients have been told that they will have to wait for up to 18 months for the prescription of ADHD medication. This is due to a shortage of staff in the public health system. The issue is particularly acute in Greater Manchester where service providers are struggling to meet demand. Referrals are the result of the lack of a top down strategy for ADHD. This has resulted in the outsourcing adult ADHD assessment to private providers like Psychiatry UK. The result is long waiting times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation has sparked debate about how private clinics diagnose ADHD. An undercover journalist visited three private clinics and was deemed with ADHD by all. The BBC has claimed that these clinics rush through tests and prescribing dangerous medications without offering proper advice about the possible side consequences. Despite these allegations, the BBC report has been criticized for failing to focus its attention on the larger issues surrounding the delivery of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS has more than 10,000 adult ADHD cases on its waiting list. The increased awareness of the condition and the increasing number of people seeking a diagnosis are to blame. The demand is even exceeding the capacity of NHS services and some areas are being unable to offer an assessment in any way. If you are lucky enough to be able to get an assessment through the NHS will have long waits before they can receive treatment.
There are many methods to speed up the time required to wait for ADHD diagnosis. The first is to talk to their GP and explain why they think they may have the condition. The doctor should be aware of their concerns and refer them for 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 assessments. This has lead to a lot of short cuts, from private clinics to online assessments. They aren't always reliable and can result in an incorrect diagnosis.
It is important to consult an expert psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about ADHD for an assessment. A general practitioner or psychologist may not possess the knowledge, skills and experience required to recognize ADHD. If you're not sure who to contact you can check with your local mental health services for the list of approved providers. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a specialist which is typically the quickest method to receive an ADHD assessment.
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD and many people are seeking help for the condition. While it isn't possible to treat the condition but there are a number of treatments that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, as well as lifestyle adjustments. Certain people also take supplements to help reduce symptoms.
A psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD can assist you in finding the most effective treatment for your symptoms. They will evaluate you for symptoms such as difficulty in concentrating, issues with working memory, poor sleep habits, and emotional dysregulation. They will also inquire about your childhood, as well as your family history. They will then work out a personalised plan for you which could include psychotherapy, medication or an amalgamation of both.
You have a legal choice in the event that your GP refers you to an adult ADHD assessment in England. You can use the Right to Choose service to select a clinic that offers NHS assessments in your area. Alternatively, you can also avail the services of a private clinic that does NHS assessments. These clinics offer shorter waiting times, and they also provide video calls.
The Psychiatrists at 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) alongside other presenting issues like anxiety and depression.
Costs
There is no doubt that the demand for private ADHD tests is increasing and is set to continue. This is due to a mix of factors, including increased awareness about the condition, a deficient NHS and a world where mental health issues are more common. In addition, many sufferers are aware of the harm that untreated ADHD can do to their lives and relationships, and are prepared to be willing to pay for a diagnosis in order that 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 are charging people thousands of pounds for mediocre assessment services and inadequate aftercare. This is a serious issue that the government needs to address.
Adults can currently choose which doctor they wish to consult for an appointment. However the choice is typically restricted to specific NHS health regions as well as to GPs with contracts with these providers. They may be overwhelmed and unable to provide full-service for adults suffering from ADHD. Private ADHD assessment services have increased in popularity because they are generally less expensive than NHS appointments.
Some of these private services are excellent however, others aren't as dependable or professional as the NHS. Some of these services are charging for the diagnosis itself and there is a risk that this could lead to patients who are too concerned about their symptoms. This won't help them to live better lives and could cause a loss of money that could be used on other services, such as those for depression or anxiety.
However, certain NHS services are exemplary and offer a professional, comprehensive service to people suffering from ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London is a nationally acclaimed 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
It's costly to have an in-depth ADHD assessment but it's well worth it if you can afford. The diagnosis can boost your quality of living and aid you in a variety of areas including your work and relationships. Your insurance provider must be informed of any diagnosis to determine the best level of protection for you.
If you have a private health insurance policy be sure to check its 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 review the terms and conditions attentively to find out what they cover.
GPs may refuse to recommend patients for an ADHD evaluation for different reasons, but this is not always the case. If www.iampsychiatry.uk is unwilling to help then find a different. If your doctor is unwilling to sign a shared-care agreement with you to prescribe medication, you may want to get another opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are a variety of online ADHD tests that are available however, they can be inaccurate.