Worrying about adhd assessment costs

[cultkid]

Hi all
I'm worrying about the cost of an adhd assessment privately and the medication aspect

I'm wanting an assessment as I know I have adhd it's blindingly obvious to anyone who has any relationship with me

I have been looking into private assessments because I am really not coping at the moment
Im under pressure and I've had a very hard decade. I was prescribed pain killers for years and then medical cannabis and I feel that I am reliant on those items because I can't sit with my thoughts nor cope with the fact I'm a total mess and disorganised

I have nice aspects but I don't want to focus on those bits right now

In my obsessive state I have only ever given medication a positive consideration. I have just believed that it would work for me and it's what I need. That's why I want the assessment. My husband just said to me, what happens if the medicine is awful for you?

I didn't even think about that

Any wisdom? Aibu to want an assessment with the total view of being medicated to cope? Is this sustainable?

Don't roast me because I'm tearful but can you please be honest with me if you have any advice

Thank you xx

Hi

How did you get a medical cannabis prescription- was it from a Dr? From my understanding its not recommended for people with ADHD.

My medication I assume you mean stimulants? I have been diagnosed and I've agreed with my Dr that they would not be a good idea for me as I have anxiety. If you are in America, my opinion is the Americans over prescribe a lot of medication. If you read up on it, the stimulants mask the problem more than anything. It can cause anxiety and sleeping issues.

What helped me was accepting my ADHD, it gave me a sense of relief that my struggles were not my fault. Then with time and lots of reading, I've picked up methods on managing it.

I hope this helps

I thought children could be assessed though their school. I told my daughters, teacher she was struggling to concentrate in class and they said that they could work with (SEN? Or similar ) and arrange an assessment for ADHD. They emailed me forms to complete about her personality and behavior. No costs have ever been mentioned. I don’t know anything about medication though as the assessment hasn’t been done yet.

L-Theanine + caffeine works well instead of meds for many people. And no "come down" like you get with meds when they wear off. Maybe something worth looking into?

Im currently going through a private assessment. The doctor will be asking my GP to take over prescribing once medication needs have been ascertained.

Its going to cost me 1600 all in.

I went for an assessment knowing I would take the meds. I used MyPace in April & would definitely recommend them. Spent £360 on the assessment & then more for follow up, titration & meds. Probably spent around £1500 but I've now had shared care agreed so can get Concerta on prescription! It took a lot of persuading but my GP agreed to a lower dose if I agreed to up my exercise so I went for it.

Sorry. I thought this was for your child. Clearly I should have taken the time to read your post more carefully.

Look at Right to choose.

They can ask but a GP is under no obligation to prescribe off of the back of a private diagnoses, I'd wager that they won't in fact. Did your provider give you indicative costs for a private script? Are you on the NHS waiting list too?

Diagnosis*

Hense why they checked first.

And, no there wasnt any point as i can afford private and the nhs waitlist is years in my area.

Also, interesting you would 'wager they won't' when i was told its rare they say no.

Maybe different areas with different approaches to managing their unacceptably long wait times.

The vast majority won't, its not unusual for providers to say that it's all fine though. I genuinely hope you can get it but I hope they haven't purposefully misled you.

I'm sure you're not intentionally being condescending but it's coming accross that way.

Yes, I have checked. I'm not naive.

It's not naive but a lot of providers make lots of promises. Very few GPs prescribe based on a private diagnosis as to get the assurance they require takes a lot of time, and often they aren't conducted in line with the same standards. Lots are also unaware that even if they do the patient has to pay for periodic checkups privately to keep recieveing a prescription. Either way there are absolutely ongoing costs past the assessment, its a big problem currently.

Very few GP's will prescribe from a private assessment and those that do would likely write a private prescription meaning you would pay the true cost of medication. You need to check with your own GP before forking out for private diagnoses.

OP the reality is you don't know until you try it. Medication for ADHD definitely isn't a magic wand that 'fixes' everything, but for me at least it makes things more manageable so I can apply the coping mechanisms I have learnt over the years more effectively. I was diagnosed a fair few years ago now and still take medication, I did stop during covid as couldn't get hold of my specialist to renew the script and I could tell the difference. I'd recommend counselling and anything else you can also access as I do personally believe medication to be part of the puzzle but not the entire solution, but appreciate its very hard to access now.

If you do go privately then I would also get on the list for an NHS diagnosis so you aren't paying for meds, check ups and whatever else privately forever. The time will pass anyway as they say. My GP won't even prescribe with an NHS diagnosis they get a batch from my specialist and confirmation of my check ups as they said they don't have the oversight they would be comfortable with otherwise, I doubt they do private ones on that same note but not sure.

Adhd diagnosis here and went private due to wait times. I checked with my gp first I have extensive medical history seeking help from age 15 independently (I'm mid 30s) I have 3 special needs children 2 diagnosed neurodiverse. 3rd expected to be. My gp wrote me a letter supporting an assessment and told me she would go into a shared care agreement once diagnosis established and medication titrated. So far it's cost me around £2000. I'm still in titration started in march because I'm making sure that I'm getting it absolutely right as your gp cannot adjust doses or change medications you have to go back to your private company for that and pay their charges again. This month my medication has cost me £270. I'm on a combination of two, next month I'm expecting it to be in the mid £300s due to an expected dosage change. Financially its a very scary prospect, people who don't have adhd cannot judge those that do its debilitating and most of us have learnt to hide just how much to the outside world. Check your gp will support a shared care agreement first and get them to write you a supporting letter with medical history, the meds are brutal but once you get it right boy does life get easier!

This is so interesting I'm going to look into this
Thank you

Which clinic is that price I can't see one?
Do they offer prescriptions?

Really really helpful answer

How are you getting on with the meds?

Shared care is a big thing and yes it does happen

Thank you so much for coming back to give this info even though you got bitten a few times
I really do appreciate it xx

For me the meds are life changing. I'm happier, my memory & mood are so much better. I'm far more motivated & my brain feels calmer, quiet & I can think rationally!

I went private so can really only comment on that aspect. After your diagnosis you’d need to budget for at least £400 per month for titration, something I hadn’t fully considered. Typically titration is 3 months but it could be more depending on how you react to the meds, after which you can approach your GP for shared care on the NHS.

Be aware that some NHS trusts are now refusing private ADHD diagnoses and shared care agreements as a direct result of that recent Panorama documentary. So you may get your dx go through titration only to be refused shared care and if you can’t afford £400 each month you’ll be back to square one.

ADHDUK on Reddit is a really good source of info from others who’ve gone private or on titration.