AIBU to ask who to go to for an ADHD assessment for my 23 year old DS?

[Retirer123]

DS currently in final year of Uni. He has a diagnosis already for Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. This diagnosis was made by an assessor recommended by his uni. He receives Disabled Students Allowance which pays for a specialist mentor to support him with his studies. His mentor feels that DS has difficulties typical of a person with ADHD.

I was wondering who would be good to approach for an ADHD diagnosis? I know that the NHS is on its knees, so the wait for an NHS assessment would be very long. I was wondering about the possibility of paying privately for a diagnosis for ADHD.

Does anyone have any ideas about who we could contact with regard to getting a private diagnosis for ADHD?

Thanks for any advice.

From what I read, the situation is all over the place.

I was reading a previous thread where the OP had three kids, a 'big job in Finance', and had only just been diagnosed in her 50s. She was being treated on the NHS.

Then there's myself that was removed from mainstream education and didn't manage to get back in until I was on Ritalin. Managed to scrape through my degree and then struggled in my graduate job (was off ritalin by this stage) and ended up sacking it off in my late 20s. And at 30yo I can't even imagine having to care for another human/child. And yet I may not qualify to be treated on the NHS.

I know it's not a competition but a critical aspect in diagnosis is supposed to be the impact it has on your life. If somebody has managed to get through school, university, and navigate the work world to a senior position commanding six figures then they're no doubt high functioning to some degree. I'm not saying they shouldn't be treated but it seems odd to green light them but not others who have struggled much more obviously.

Of course there are many other aspects at play such as intrinsic individual ability/intelligence but I've always been very academic. For context, my sister and I were very close academically. However, once I stopped the meds some time in sixth form I started slipping. She went to Oxford and ended up in a high flying job and I went to a very mediocre uni and got an OK but pretty average job which I struggled with and ended up leaving the industry after five years. I honestly think my ADHD was a huge factor in this as I just felt constantly overwhelmed and unable to manage my workload. Would procrastinate then sit up working late at night.

Playing devil’s advocate here - why does your DS want a diagnosis? Our DD has suspected ADHD (her brother has a diagnosis so it’s likely she does) but she doesn’t necessarilywant a diagnosis but has informed herself about it so she can make adjustments in her life to manage it. Her NHS consultant (she’s recently been through an awful mental health crisis) agreed she shows traits of it but has warned us to be careful about getting a private diagnosis as there are so many what she called “cowboys” out there and
said specifically no reputable practitioner could possibly make a diagnosis via Zoom.
DS’s experience backed that up as he wanted to try medication when he went to uni and it was prescribed after a 15 minute online chat with no reference to his cardiac or other health. He didn’t get on with the medication at all but there was absolutely no follow up so just stopped it. An expensive and worrying experience.

@Houseplantmad
The mentor who supports DS with his university studies said that many of her other clients with ADHD take medication to improve their ability to focus. I think that this is why DS is interested in seeking a diagnosis for ADHD.

Devil's advocate is so boring I've only ever come across self important and arrogant people who use this approach. I really hope you don't use this in real life. It's very patronising to assume op hasn't thought about these things. As if they don't understand the risk of cowboys and the diagnosis not being taken seriously. But with the state of the nhs really is the only option for thousands of people.

It's also ableist and really lacking in understanding of many support systems (NHS, benefits, social care for example) to question the need for a diagnosis.

I mean another way to look at it is, perhaps op will do research (doesn't sound like you thought to) as I'd assume almost anyone with any sense would and won't gqt a shit cowboy assement?

Just think carefully about what you/your son want to achieve from a diagnosis. Yes those drugs will help him focus, but they help everyone focus. This is why so many high pressured people in finance were taking coke in the 80s. But those same drugs have lots of unpleasant side effects. I work where many teens take ADHD drugs and we see lots of disordered eating and cardiac issues.

Loads of online providers. Basically set ups where qualified psychiatrists register and you request one. Range between £800-1200 for an assessment. Then if you are assessed as having adhd you have to go through titration with them to get the right med sbd dose. This will cost around £2-300 a month for as many months as it takes to be settled. Probably 3-4 months.

Then you can be prescribed by your nhs gp with an annual consult with the consultant.

All online.

Just Google adhd assessment.

Christ do they? There are online providers who use qualified psychiatrists. Most of whom have also worked in the nhs. I thought only psychiatrists could diagnose adhd.

Avoid the likes of ADHD360 who use all nurses and pharmacists to diagnose.

This is what's worrying me now having switched last week from Psy UK waiting list to ADHD360. However, I searched on here and immediately found several posts from people that'd had private assessments with ADHD360 and gone onto shared care.

Tbh, I only really want the necessary boxes ticked. I know I've got ADHD so not worried about being misdiagnosed etc. I was on the meds for almost a decade

I think I'm just going to wait the 8-12 weeks and see what happens. No way am I waiting the 15 months for Psy UK after already having been waiting 13 months. If the above fails I'll just get a private assessment.

Tbh I'd probs just buy ritalin on the black market and start my old dose in the meantime if it wasn't that I'd fail my work related drug tests - shows as amphetamine.

Then other thing I'm a bit wary of (which seems to never be mentioned) is the eightfold increase of getting parkinsons when on ADHD meds.

Look up the Giaroli Centre. There will be a wait but they do get cancellations and can often see you sooner than they initially say. They have been great with my DC.

They help everyone focus but people with adhd need that focus as they don't have it naturally. What a stupid thing to say. It's not the same thing. Your comparison to coke is offensive and ignorant and tbh ableist.

Also in terms of side effects, perhaps let the person who's life is hugely effected by adhd make that call. And perhaps stop scaremongering.

I’m sure my DD at 23 went to the dr and was advised to go to psychiatry UK as they would be quicker than the nhs. I’m sure she waited a matter of months

I think the waiting times have risen a lot in last year or two. Also, some people were getting pushed through much quicker due to their particular consultant I believe.

I just don't understand why I need to get reassessed at the age of 30 when I was on the meds at 18yo. ADHD doesn't go away does it?

Another first hand experience of ADHD360. I would definitely not recommend them in any way. A nurse diagnosed my teen DD in about 45 minutes on a zoom call with lots of leading questions. They prescribed meds - we had quite a few problems with the meds and could never get hold of anyone to talk to
throughout this period.

It was really distressing. I asked cAMHS to take over the care of her ADHD and they couldn't believe how vague and lacking in detail the report was. CAMHS refused to acknowledge her diagnosis based on what ADHD360 had provided. If I ever managed to actually speak to anyone there then all they kept suggesting was an Increase in dose of meds.. to dangerously high levels as it turned out.

I am sure there are good private clinics out there who do a good job - but this is not one of them.

That's a bit worrying but tbh all I want is to go back on Ritalin and have the prescription to pull out when I'm drug tested. I was technically an adult when I was last on the meds so I doubt my dosage would need altered. Obviously, for first time patients they need somebody properly overseeing the titration and determine the best type of medication.

This is the route my daughter is taking. She’s been advised to seek a diagnosis by her psychiatrist, but she has to go through her G.P. Their wait list is approximately 12 weeks I believe. Still helping her fill out the forms, she has dyslexia as well.

The Feb update on ADHD UK says 12 month wait for assessment and three months for titration (15 months total) for Psy UK. On their website it says titration is seven months.

A GP referring and a GP sharing care are unconnected. Have you asked them if they will share care?

and said specifically no reputable practitioner could possibly make a diagnosis via Zoom.

For adults this is nonsense. Agree probably not appropriate for young children.

Did he see a consultant psychiatrist?

In my experience they can be transformative for education with often no side-effects. Would you stop your child taking asthma inhalers, or antibiotics, because they had side-effects?

It's up to the GP if they are happy to share care and prescribe - many won't, for valid reasons of workload/resource pressures. you can't assume that this will happen.

yes but if you want the GP to prescribe, you will need someone reputable to be overseeing your care. Ritalin is a brand name BTW and not available in the UK. Equivalents would include Equasym, Concerta and Xaggitin.

Symptoms can change over time, and you can't have the drug prescribed unless you're under the care of a specialist who will likely want to make their own assessment.