ADHD NHS assessment

[nogognocchi]

I have ADHD,. I suspected this about 10 years ago, finally plucked up courage to talk to GP 6 years ago and was referred to local ADHD service 5 years ago.

Hearing nothing, and in desperation at yet another failed entry level job and life in chaos, pursued a private diagnosis a year or so later. The diagnosis and medication has been the single biggest improvement in my life. I have been able to hold down and do well in a job I love for the first time in my life. I'm mostly on top of things at home, able to be a better parent and just so much happier.

I've now, 5 years later, got to the the top of the NHS waiting list for ADHD assessment. Initially, I thought great. Thanks to the negative publicity surrounding private assessments, I feel like my diagnosis will one day get removed and I'll back to my old awful mess. It was from a legitmate provider who also work for NHS (and not one shown on the Panorama doc) but I still feel like a fraud somehow, despite being a pretty clear cut case. An NHS diagnosis will remove that doubt and worry for future.

HOwever, have since read reviews of the provider and they're mainly 1* - lots of people ending up in a worse situation than they were before they were given 'support'. Things like forms not being sent, reports not written, not answering calls, etc rather than the diagnosis itself. My worry now is that I get the NHS assessment, but then this isn't communicated properly to GP who then stop their current shared care arrangement and I end up stranded!

Is there any benefit in pursuing this NHS diagnosis or do I am I better sticking with the current arrangement. If I do go with it, is there anything I can do to that will help ensure I'm not left in a worse situation e.g. talking to my GP first?

Woah, I would definitely hold off on this.

Firstly it is a highly valuable resource you are taking up for little/no tangible benefit to yourself.
Secondly, if you aren't aware of a benefit other than to go "Ooh look at my diagnosis, it's better than some others", then really you are doing it for no reason other than to feel better about it to other people ad those peoples opinion should absolutely not matter to you.
If it really is an internalised feeling of being a fraud, then I don't know what to suggest as that's way beyond my expertise but you are not a fraud, you deserve all the help you can get and it doesn't sound like this NHS clinic will offer you anything.

You should still be treated by the NHS regardless of where your diagnosis came from, if they are treating it then that gives legitimacy (not that it needs it).

Persue the NHS diagnosis. You may get offered additional help and support.

I work in this area in the NHS (non clinical).

I’d pursue it if I were you.

It’s not costing you anything ( financially or in any other way), so why not?

Im awaiting ADHD assessment and know the concerns about the private diagnosis.

if it helps, do it

I get that this is a highly valuable resource, don't worry. And 100% my attitude is not 'oh look my diagnosis is better than others'. Firstly, I've told about 5 people inc close family about my diagnosis, it's absolutely not something I'm comfortable sharing, regardless of where it came from. My real fear is that someone, somewhere along the line says 'all these non-NHS diagnosisis are bullshit and everyone with one now needs to get in line for an NHS diagnosis' and I'll have to attempt living my now far more pleasant life without the medication that has supported that. I've no idea how the NHS works and whether that's likely - your line - "You should still be treated by the NHS regardless of where your diagnosis came from, if they are treating it then that gives legitimacy (not that it needs it)." gives me some comfort, thank you.

Do make sure you attend the appointment if you're on medication. Shared care agreements usually include a yearly specialist review while you are on medication, so you'll either need to pay for this privately yearly or go onto the NHS. People may have slipped through the net in the past, but prescribing is tightening up.