ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Seek Help Privately
Private adult ADHD assessments have become more popular as wait times are at an all-time high. Anyone who is registered with a GP in England can use their "Right to Choose" and choose to be sent to a private company.
This allows them to be assessed and diagnosed in a matter of months, instead of waiting for years on the NHS.
Waiting times
A growing number of people seek a diagnosis of ADHD. In the UK it is estimated that nearly one million adults are undiagnosed with ADHD. The wait times for NHS assessments have risen significantly. In some areas, it can take up to seven years to make an appointment for an assessment. Celebrities, such as Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins and Johnny Vegas have also spoken out about their experiences with the condition. Many adults who need a diagnosis must seek help privately.
In some cases patients have been told that they have to wait up to 18 months for an appointment for ADHD medication. The lack of staff within the public health system is the reason. The problem is especially acute in Greater Manchester, where service providers are struggling to keep up with the demand. The lack of a top-down strategy for ADHD is to blame as services are overwhelmed by referrals. This has led to the outsourcing of adult ADHD evaluation to private providers such as Psychiatry UK. The result is long wait times for patients.
A BBC Panorama investigation sparked a debate on the way private clinics diagnose ADHD. The investigation involved an undercover journalist who visited three private clinics, and all of them diagnosed him with the condition. The BBC has claimed that these clinics rush through assessments and prescribing powerful drugs without providing proper guidance about the possible side effects. However the BBC's report has been criticized for failing to focus on the wider issues surrounding the delivery of ADHD services in the UK.
The NHS currently has a backlog of over 10,000 adult ADHD patients. This is due to increased awareness and a growing number of people seeking to diagnose the condition. The demand for NHS services has surpassed their capacity, and some areas aren't able to provide an assessment. Those who are fortunate enough to receive an assessment through the NHS will have long waits before they can get treatment.
There are a variety of ways that people can cut their waiting time for an ADHD diagnosis. First, they should speak to their GP to discuss the reasons they believe they have ADHD. Their GP should be concerned and send them to an assessment.
Psychiatrists
The process of getting diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrating for adults. The NHS is unable to meet the demand for ADHD assessments. This has led to numerous shortcuts, from online assessments to private clinics. These are not always accurate and could lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
If you are seeking a diagnosis of ADHD it is crucial to consult a psychiatrist that is specialized in this condition. A general practitioner or psychologist may not have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to diagnose. If you're not sure who to call, you can ask your local mental health center for the list. You may also request your GP to refer you to a specialist which is usually the fastest way to get an ADHD assessment.
ADHD is becoming more and more common, and many people seek help. While it isn't possible to treat the condition, there are a number of treatments that can help improve symptoms. This includes psychiatric medication as well as psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Certain people also take supplements to reduce symptoms.
A psychiatrist with a specialization in ADHD can help you find the best treatment for your symptoms. They will evaluate your symptoms for difficulty concentrating, problems with working memory, sleep habits and emotional dysregulation. They'll also want details about your childhood as well as your family history. They will then work out an individualized plan for you, which could include psychotherapy, medication or an amalgamation of both.
If you are referred to an adult ADHD assessment by your GP in England you have a legal right to choose which provider to see. This Right to Choose service allows you to choose a clinic in your area that provides NHS assessments. Alternately, you can make use here of private clinics that offer NHS assessments. These clinics have much shorter waiting times and offer video calls.
The Psychiatrists from Anchor Psychiatry Group, Norfolk and Waveney, have collective experience of more than 23 years of providing holistic psychiatric assessments as well as psychotherapeutic interventions to adults. They specialise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) alongside other presenting problems like anxiety and depression.
Costs
The demand for private ADHD assessment is increasing and is expected to grow. This is due to a mix of factors, such as increased awareness of the condition, a deficient NHS and a society where mental health issues are becoming more common. 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 so 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 charge patients thousands of pounds for subpar assessment services, and poor aftercare. This is a serious concern and something that must be addressed by the government.
Currently, adults can choose which doctor they wish to consult for an appointment. However this option is usually limited to specific NHS health regions as well as to GPs with agreements with these providers. GPs may be overworked and unable to provide full-service for adults suffering from ADHD. This has led to a growth in private ADHD assessment services, which are usually cheaper than NHS appointments.
Some of these private services are good, but others are not as dependable or professional as the NHS. Some of these services are charging for the diagnosis itself, and there is a danger that this will result in patients who are too concerned about their symptoms. This will not allow them live better lives and will cost money that could be spent on other services, such as those for depression or anxiety.
However, certain NHS services are exceptional and offer a professional complete service to adults with ADHD. Maudsley Hospital, in London is a well-known center for adult ADHD assessment and treatment. But even these services are struggling to cope with the demands of an expanding patient population. they are unlikely to change unless the government makes better investments in mental health care.
Insurance
A private ADHD assessment can be costly however it could be worth it if in a position to pay for it. The diagnosis is crucial for your quality of life and can help you improve the quality of your life in many areas such as work and relationships. Your insurance provider must be informed of any diagnosis to determine the best level of protection for you.
Examine your policy's terms & conditions to determine if it covers ADHD tests. Axa PPP (private healthcare provider), Aviva (private health insurance provider), Bupa (private health insurance provider), and Vitality Health all have different policies. Some of them will not cover the examination, while others will. It is important to review the terms and conditions carefully to know what they cover.
GPs may refuse to refer patients for an ADHD assessment due to different reasons, but this is not always justified. If your GP is unwilling to help you, try another. If your GP will not sign a shared-care agreement with you regarding medication, you may want to seek another opinion from an ADHD clinic. There are a number of online ADHD assessments, however they could be incorrect.