4 year waiting list for ADHD assessment

[ADHDPI]

I am 99.9% sure I have ADHD (primarily inattentive). My GP agrees it is likely but cannot diagnose or treat. My problem is I've just been put on a waiting list and have been told I'm likely to have to wait 3-4 years for an assessment. I feel like it is ruining my life. I know there are meds out there which could help and I'm frustrated that I can't access them. I do not have the money for a private assessment (in my overdraft month on month) so that's not an option. I self medicate with extreme coffee drinking and nicotine which helps temporarily. I just don't know what to do anymore. Can anyone help? Advise on coping mechanisms? I'm struggling.

You can ask your GP to refer you to a specific service, still via the NHS. Psychiatry UK are a well known one, though there will be others, with varying waiting times.

Can see more about it here psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/ but you basically take a letter to your GP, they refer and it looks like it's a few months wait rather than years at the moment

Agree with the PP. I was referred via Psychiatry UK last year (my GP did it and it was paid for on the NHS) and it took about six months.

@Sapphire387 What sort of process was it to get diagnosed? Do you feel it's been helpful to be diagnosed?

I'm wondering if I also have ADHD, but I've got so far without an official diagnosis so wondering if there's much point in pushing for one.

Could you consider a second job to save up the assessment money? You shouldn't have to, but it's got to be better than waiting four years?

The assessment is pretty straightforward. They ask you to fill out a somewhat lengthy questionnaire to chart your history. It includes anything notable from school, university or work etc. This then forms the basis of your assessment which is approximately 2 hours long. You’ll be asked to expand on your answers to the questionnaire. I was then informed of my my ADHD type during my appointment. We discussed treatment options, professional coaching and medication etc. The report followed 2 weeks later, I chose to go on meds which were prescribed 10 days later.

The NHS is in crisis. You’ve presumably coped this far in life without intervention, it’s not unreasonable for them to expect you to wait while they deal with more pressing medical matters. Plus there’s been an absolute avalanche in adults and children wanting ASD/ADHD diagnosis, it’s unsurprising the resources haven’t caught up. Hopefully someone on here can offer some tips for self care.

Op there are some providers who are fairly reasonably priced, might be worth looking around. A friend recently used Mypace who charged less than £400 for the assessment! I think they’re online too so you don’t need to necessarily travel to see them.

Most with ADHD struggle to hold even one down, let alone two.

“pressing medical matters”

Undiagnosed ASD/ADHD is as pressing as it gets. They reduce your life expectancy by 16 yrs and 25 yrs respectively. Be thankful you have no idea how debilitating it is living with it!

I wouldn’t put it on par with heart attack, stroke or diabetes, as unfashionable as it is to say that. We can’t pretend everything is equal. PP’s suggestion of private assessment sounds quite reasonable, and no doubt quicker.

I can't. I work full time already and have a nursery aged child so would be impossible.

Anything you could sell to rustle up at least some of the money? I’ve made some cash lately selling things on FB marketplace, it adds up quite quickly.

Have a look at this:

adhduk.co.uk/individual-funding-request/

You've presumably coped this far in life
Yes, well, you cope until you don't, don't you. Would you say the same to someone with depression? What if they coped for 30 odd years then chose to end their life? Not really 'coping' is it. The whole point of this thread is that I'm not coping with it. I'm well aware of the state of the NHS. I don't think I complained about that, just my frustration at not being able to get help sooner.

I know people often post this snarkily, but genuinely(!) do you have sources? I've never seen this before and it's made me feel quite anxious!

Look I absolutely have sympathy as I have OCD (properly diagnosed) and have been very depressed at points in my life. But everyone thinks their issue is the most pressing one that comes before everyone else’s. Look at what you can do - maybe start a thread for ideas on how to raise the money for private assessment? A few hundred quid is a lot of money but absolutely doable.

Equazen supplements have helped my kids alongside medication so may help.
One also takes antidepressants too which help massively with mood.

You’re showing your ignorance. Might be best to only speak on things you have first hand experience in, rather than invalidate op with your unhelpful responses.

I think it's linked to high levels of drug and alcohol use, overeating, suicide etc. It's not just a case of 'if you have ADHD you will die early' so don't panic. These things can be mitigated against.

Are you talking to yourself? Why are you even talking about people thinking their issues are worse than others? Who here has stated that? Have I? I don't think so. You're talking to nobody.

Thanks everyone, I am reading all responses and taking notes!

The trouble with private assessment is you are not guaranteed that your GP will agree to shared care so you could be left to pay for private medication (about £120 per month). If you decide to go down this route, I would discuss shared care with your GP first. Under the NHS, you have a right to choose who does your assessment (qualified provider) if your GP agrees that it is necessary. Details are here psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/ it is quicker than a standard NHS assessment but there is still a waiting list

Putting things into a little perspective isn’t ‘invalidating’. I’m not ignorant when I say a heart attack is more pressing than an ADHD diagnosis. Like I said we can’t pretend everything is equal for fear of ‘invalidating’. My depression is not equal to somebody who is waiting for an urgent biopsy, or somebody who has broken their back.

Okay, thanks. One side of my brain calmly told me this, and the other side panicked

I know you didn’t say that, but I was trying to put a bit of perspective on your situation versus what the health service is going through at the moment. I would strongly advise getting some ideas on how to raise the money for private diagnosis as no suggestions here will help you jump the NHS queue. Take care.