Private ADHD diagnosis

[Tinyant]

Hi

is there anyone out there who has sought assessment and diagnosis privately for adhd?

I am almost convinced I have it. I almost feel embarassed to approach GP as I feel it’s very much a “thing” now and I know it’s a very long waiting list

are there any disadvantages to private assessment? (I know you need to pay for medication if your diagnosis is private rather than have an nhs prescription)

has anyone been through the process and can tell me what is involved? And how much it cost? Any recommended providers?

thanks

My husband did it privately. It was very simple and straightforward. Both of us had to fill out a form asking about his 'behaviours' then he had a zoom (during covid) assessment. He was diagnosed straight away.
As you know you'd have to pay for the prescription.... I'll just warn you it can be VERY expensive.

@squirrelnutkins1 our gp have said they should be able to take over care as long as it meets nice guidelines so we should be able to get NHS prescription we hope. Only time will tell, either way I'm staying on the pathways.

Would you want the medication? I’ve just had a diagnosis and have chosen not to go down that route

I'm thinking of getting a diagnosis to get medication so I'll give my reasons, mainly to make life easier but also I'd like to study for a qualification and I don't think I'd manage it currently. I got through university with all nighters etc and I'm not able to do that kind of thing now.

I've just realised I've jumped on an old post from January and not my post. Didn't realise as received an email and thought it was a reply to one of mine. 😅

So just want to tell my story to help anyone. I'm an adult i suspect I have adhd. I went to doctors had a phone call with doctor, they sent out a form to fill out. I handed it in, asked to be on right to choose and on a 7 month waiting list now. This will be covered under NHS so if I decided to medicate I can but I probably won't as I've managed this long.

My daughter is 7 she is on the pathways, I am paying for a private test for her as the wait is 5 years and none of the right to choose do adhd under 18 near us. I've been advised that as long as it follows Nice guidelines etc the NHS will take on shared care.

I’m debating whether to go for a private diagnosis and was given a contact by my GP.The cost has put me off though as it is about £900 and is all done over zoom. I’m not sure I want to be sitting in my home when I get the diagnosis. I’d prefer to see someone face to face really.

If you do get assessed I'd make sure it was done by a psychiatrist - might be more expensive but at least you'll know it's reputable and they'll be able to prescriibe meds if you want to go down that route - they're the only ones who can do that in the private sector. There are LOTS of charlatans out there i.e. people who've trained in ADHD assessments, but have no clinical experience so ADHD is all they can diagnose. A proper assessor should have years of clinical experience and should be able to consider different diagnosis as part of the ADHD assessment.