ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Seek Help Privately
With service wait times at an all time high and the need for private adult ADHD assessments are becoming increasingly popular. Patients who have a GP in England can use their "Right to Choice" and choose 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 times
A increasing number of people are seeking a diagnosis of ADHD. In the UK it is estimated that nearly one million adults are not diagnosed with ADHD. Waiting times for NHS assessments have risen dramatically. In some areas, it can take as long as seven years for an appointment to be available. Some famous people have expressed their opinions about the condition, including Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins, and Johnny Vegas. However many adults in need of a diagnosis are forced to seek help privately.
In some cases patients have been told that they have to wait up to 18 months before receiving an appointment for ADHD medication. The shortage of staff within the public health system is the reason. This is especially true in Greater Manchester, where service providers are struggling to cope with the demand. Referrals are the result of the lack of a top-down strategy for ADHD. This has resulted in the outsourcing adult ADHD evaluation to private providers like Psychiatry UK. The result is long wait times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation sparked a debate about how private clinics diagnose ADHD. The investigation was conducted by an undercover journalist who went to three private clinics. All of them diagnosed him with the condition. The BBC has claimed that these clinics are speeding through assessments and prescribing powerful drugs without providing proper guidance regarding possible adverse consequences. Despite these allegations, the BBC report has been criticized for its inability to focus its attention on the bigger issues surrounding the provision ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS has more than 10,000 adult ADHD cases on its waiting list. This is a result of increased awareness and a growing number of patients seeking a diagnosis for the condition. The demand for NHS services has surpassed the capacity of the service, and some areas aren't able to provide an assessment. If you are fortunate enough to be able to access an assessment through the NHS have long wait times for treatment.
There are a few ways to reduce the time it takes to wait to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The first is to speak to their GP and explain why they believe they may be suffering from the condition. Their GP should take their concerns seriously and refer them to an assessment.
Psychiatrists
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, the process can be difficult. The NHS is struggling to meet the demand for ADHD assessments. This has led to many shortcuts, from online assessments to private clinics. These aren't always accurate and could result in an incorrect diagnosis.
When seeking a diagnosis of ADHD it is crucial to find an expert psychiatrist who specializes in this condition. A general practitioner or psychologist may not have the knowledge or expertise required to make a diagnosis. If you are unsure who to call, check with your local mental health service for a list of approved providers. You can ask your GP for the referral to a specialist. This is the most efficient method to get an ADHD assessment.
There is an increasing awareness of ADHD and many people are seeking help for the disorder. There is no cure for ADHD however there are treatment options that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medication and psychotherapy as well as lifestyle modifications. Certain people also take supplements to reduce symptoms.
A psychiatrist with a specialization in ADHD can assist you in finding the best treatment for your symptoms. They can evaluate your symptoms for difficulty concentrating, problems with working memory, poor sleep habits and emotional dysregulation. They'll also want details about your childhood as well as your family history. They will then make a plan specifically tailored to your needs. This may include medication or psychotherapy.
You have a right to choose when your GP refers you to an adult ADHD assessment in England. You can utilize this Right to Choose service to select a clinic that offers NHS assessments in your location. You can also use a private clinic to do NHS assessments. These clinics offer video calls and shorter waiting times.
The Psychiatrists at 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), alongside other issues that present like anxiety and depression.
Costs
The demand for private ADHD assessment is increasing and is expected to increase. It is partly down to increased awareness of the condition, a deficient NHS and a world in which mental health issues are becoming more widespread. Many patients are aware of the potential damage that untreated ADHD can cause to their career and relationships and are willing to pay to get diagnosed in order to receive treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary, which looked at the issue of private ADHD clinics, raised concerns that some businesses are exploitation of vulnerable patients. The documentary revealed that certain private clinics charge patients thousands of pounds for subpar assessment services and inadequate aftercare. This is a serious problem that the government must address.
At present, the NHS lets adults choose which psychiatrist to visit for a diagnosis appointment. However the choice is typically restricted to certain NHS health regions as well as to doctors who have contracts with these providers. As a result, GPs are often overwhelmed with this task and might not be able to provide a complete service to adults with ADHD. This has led to an increase in private ADHD assessment services, which are typically cheaper than NHS appointments.
Some of these private services are excellent, but others are not as reliable and professional as the NHS. Some of these services charge for diagnosis, which could cause patients to become overly concerned about their symptoms. This will not help patients live a better life, and it will also cause a loss of money that could be used on other services, such as those for anxiety or depression.
Some NHS services however are exceptional and provide a professional and complete service for adults suffering from ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London is a nationally acclaimed center for adult ADHD assessment and treatment. However, these services are struggling to keep up with the demands of a rapidly growing patient population, and they're not likely to improve unless the government makes better investments in mental health care.
Insurance
A private ADHD evaluation can be costly but it can be worth it if in a position to pay for it. The diagnosis can enhance your living quality and help you in many areas such as your relationships and work. It is important to inform your insurance company of any medical condition so that they can assist you in determining the best level of protection for you.
Examine your policy's terms & conditions to determine whether it covers ADHD tests. Iam Psychiatry providers, Axa PPP, Aviva, Bupa, and Vitality Health all have different policies. Some of them will not cover the examination, while others will. You should read the terms and conditions attentively to find out what they cover.
GPs can refuse to refer a patient to an ADHD assessment for a variety of reasons. However it isn't always the case. If your GP will not help you, try another. If your GP isn't willing to sign a shared-care contract with you, you may have a second opinion in an ADHD clinic. There are a variety of online ADHD tests that are available, but they can be misleading.