Adult ADHD referral. Come and guess how long the wait is?

[QueenArseClangers]

My GP has referred me to the relevant folk for an assessment for ADHD.
Just had a call from my surgery telling me the waiting list is running at 2 years!!!!

We’re skint but I’m seriously contemplating going private. It’s really affecting my everyday life and I think I’ll ‘self destruct’ if nothing changes soon.


Has anyone else experience of seeing a private provider regarding adult ADHD?

[FASH84]

No experience OP, but WTF, 2 years!!!

[Metoodear]

All you need to do is ask to be but on the cancellation list

Got my fribrods done with in two weeks by doing this

[SlowDown76mph]

I couldn't face the two year wait so gave up. It would have followed my previous two year wait for ASD diagnosis :-( which was confirmed, but then the consultant though ADHD also, but they couldn't assess for that bit...

[annandale]

The cancellation list may not be as effective for a complex multidisciplinary session as it is for surgery. Worth a try though.

[SweetCheeks1980]

Just think, you've lived this long dealing with it; will a diagnosis make any difference other than give you a label?

[Sirzy]

Ds had a QB test done privately for £90 which gave a very good indication (and also sped up things for us nhs wise)

[QueenArseClangers]

Well yes sweet.

Medication/treatment will hopefully make my daily life at work/relationships a hell of a lot easier.

I’m not after just a ‘label’. I’m after a life not plagued by my impulsive actions, hyperactive twitching movements, bad decision making, relationship issues, bad concentration in a professional capacity plus other shit things

[Herbalteahippie]

Go on the Facebook support page from people with late diagnosis adhd- you’ll find lots of like minded peeps there x

[whatwouldbe]

sweet, it is a diagnosis. labels are for cans.

Would you consider a dx of e.g. diabetes or flu also a 'label'?

[QueenArseClangers]

Thanks to the posters with the kind, useful info.

[helforddreams]

My son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was seven. However, once he was 18 he was (obviously) not able to access the children's doctors who had been treating him. He was 26 before he finally saw an adult ADHD professional....yes eight whole years. And yes, in the end, we had to go private also. Those eight years was hell for him, and let's be honest the rest of the family also, and have put a huge cloud over the rest of his life. He's finally getting back on track now.

OP, I'm really not saying this to get one better on you, instead to tell everyone else how almost impossible it is for an adult with ADHD. Some areas, including ours, do now have ADHD doctors and refuse to refer to the areas that do. I really wish you well and if you possibly can afford it, do go private. Not sure what area of the country you are in, I could possibly help if you want to PM me.

[endofacentury]

Well I'm waiting 26 months for my teenage dd to have an asd assessment and this is having huge affect on her life. Surely go private as I imagine adult diagnosis are not a priority. What are you hoping to gain from a diagnosis ?

[helforddreams]

Sorry....do NOT have ADHD doctors...

[ShrinkWrap]

Sorry to hear it sounds a bit of a nightmare for everyone. Am anticipating such issues in the future for my DS.

helford what happened in the 8 years. Was he able to continue medication or was he never on it?

[Kristie27]

I had a diagnosis in another country but was told I’d have to start over here. They didn’t even offer to refer me, told me to go private. My meds aren’t available here, so I don’t see the point. I’d like to say that I’ve learned to cope with it, but the reality is that my quality of life has decreased and I might eventually have to move again because of it.

The NHS is wonderful in a lot of ways, but mental health treatment is not one of them.

[Utrecht]

Could your GP refer you initially to local Community Mental Health team? Mine did this and they referred on to ASD/ ADHD team. It was still a long wait but not two years, so may speed up the process.

[ParellelReality]

If you can get a spare few hundred quid, a private assessment is fairly straightforward but not all offer actual treatment in the way of medication. If they do, it would be private prescriptions every month which are expensive.

[ParellelReality]

Lol at the 'get on the cancellation list'. My local Adult ADHD Clinic has 400 people on the waiting list. Most of those would be pretty keen for a cancellation too!

[ParellelReality]

And a referral from the CMHT goes on the waiting list like any other referral.

[QueenArseClangers]

Thanks helford.

[Bombardier25966]

Well I'm waiting 26 months for my teenage dd to have an asd assessment and this is having huge affect on her life. Surely go private as I imagine adult diagnosis are not a priority.

It's not a competition, from what the OP has said it is having a huge effect on her life too.

It's the same in my area too QueenArseC, the waiting list is in years and that's only when you are accepted on to it. I don't want to make things worse but a GP referral may only be the first stage, here the referral will initially be assessed by the team (at which point it can be refused without even meeting you), and you're then seen for a pre assessment (six months waiting list for that). The system is not fit for purpose, and relies on people giving up and removing themselves from the process, otherwise the wait would be even longer.

[Bombardier25966]

Also agree with ParellelReality, there are no short cuts via a (fictional) cancellation list or via the CMHT.

[showerfire]

Well I'm waiting 26 months for my teenage dd to have an asd assessment and this is having huge affect on her life. Surely go private as I imagine adult diagnosis are not a priority. What are you hoping to gain from a diagnosis ?

My god what an awful thing to say.

[Pippylou]

It's up to 9 years in one city & lots of places will try to say that there is no adult service.

Nice guidance isn't really working. Very postcode lottery!

[Pippylou]

Given ADHD medication works for 80+ % of people whereas antidepressants, which are given out easily, work in 30ish % of people, and ADHD comes with co-morbidities if not managed, its best to get a DX.

Defo not a label, finding support is invaluable!