ajain
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Post by ajain on Jan 25, 2016 13:51:27 GMT
Hi guys,
How is everybody doing? I wanted to ask if anybody has had the experience of getting a full testing done by NHS. I am still waiting for the assessment centre to call me in for the testing procedure. I have been on the waitlist for 5 months now. Is this normal? Most of you guys here on the forum mention about getting tested in about 2 months. This wait is soo long, I am very confused. Do you think they have allowed to people to jump the queue? I have been told I still have 28 people before me! and that they test 2 people a week, so 14 weeks. What the actual F%$#!! This is ridiculous. I am thinking something is not right. It doesn't make sense that you wait 8 months for screening ? Can some one please suggest me what to do!! Please i am freaking out!
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davem
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Post by davem on Jan 25, 2016 15:00:52 GMT
I waited from May 15 until mid-January for a consultation.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jan 25, 2016 15:38:45 GMT
I'm afraid it's pretty normal for NHS and some parts of the country the wait can be even longer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2016 19:55:33 GMT
After four years of NHS prevarication I went private.
Manchester Royal Infirmary usually quotes two years.
There is no queue jumping - everyone is in the same position and, until they evaluate someone, they can't tell how needy anyone is, so it's first come first served.
You could try invoking Patient Choice (to get an alternate service) but this rarely works and would probably land you at the back end of another queue.
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Post by contrarymary on Jan 25, 2016 22:55:30 GMT
i couldnt bear to wait without knowing, so went for private assessment and then asked for nhs referral. that's a tiny bit of a v long story...
nil desperandum
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luna
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Post by luna on Jan 26, 2016 23:12:33 GMT
I went to my GP in March, got an appointment to see a general psychiatrist 6 months later. Was late and missed the appointment. got a new appointment a couple of months later, so by then I had waited a total of 8 months to see the psychiatrist. Not a specialist in ADHD, because apparently my GP couldn't refer me directly. The psychiatrist I saw asked me a few rigid questions for 45 minutes (half of which were generalised MH questions), and decided she didn't think I had ADHD, and so never referred me to an actual specialist even after I clearly said I think I have it and this is why.. I never even got to fill out any of the referral forms or anything. God, I still get cross even just thinking about her! Due to hopefully moving countries and going back to uni later this year, I literally don't have time to wait for a second opinion just to be put on what would most likely be an even longer waiting list for a proper specialist, so I've booked a private assessment for next week instead.
Sorry, probably not helpful in the slightest. I think it depends where you live, and how lucky you are with the first or second person you see. If you are at least on the proper waiting list you have a fair chance, so try to look at it from that perspective. It could've been worse, but of course, it could've been a lot better too.
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Post by anopheles on Jan 28, 2016 10:14:29 GMT
I don't think I waited that long, no more than three months from some time this summer, July I think, to October. Nhs, I saw a visiting guy from Liverpool at a clinic in Bolton.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2016 11:25:52 GMT
anophelesYou sound local - thought of popping into Manchester to meet the mADDchester support group? There is also a central Lancs group (Lancs ADHD) that meets near Preston - easy to get to from Bolton, just nip onto the motorway. Obviously not as good but they try I presume you saw the lovely Dr M. Or had the new guy started (Dr R I believe)? I go the their HQ to see Doc M and Paula - Dr M is a star, I rate him very highly.
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Post by anopheles on Jan 28, 2016 12:22:37 GMT
Dr M, I think. memory, etc. been thinking about it. Manchester more than bamber bridge. may set up a informal satellite in Bolton for those unwilling to go 20 miles either way, but that might be the diagnosis speaking.
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raffles
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Post by raffles on Jan 28, 2016 13:07:13 GMT
Hah! Try minimum 18 months' wait in Northumberland.
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raffles
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Post by raffles on Jan 28, 2016 13:08:05 GMT
Seriously considering going private for an assessment/diagnosis, then sorting out a shared care arrangement.
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Post by conceptuallycurious on Jan 29, 2016 22:10:49 GMT
Definitely a postcode lottery. I went to my GP on December 23rd. She said she would write a letter writing for advice on whether I could have ADHD medication with an ASD diagnosis. I heard nothing back until 22nd January, when I received a letter saying my appointment was on 29th January. Went to my initial appointment with my wife, they think I show lots of ADHD signs now but am a complex case so will need to discuss it with their team.
They sent me home with the DIVA and asked for parent input on the childhood questions. They want me to return the DIVA within two weeks (I'm hoping to get it back for Monday). They will then meet with their team, discuss and then give me the first available appointment to do the rest of the testing/interview.
They estimate (including my two weeks to complete) that the process will be over within a matter of weeks. Specifically said I shouldn't worry about it being months.
My ASD assessment was wrapped up in about 3 and 1/2 months from referral, including my assessor's annual leave.
Seems the diagnostic services are great... and the continued care services for ASD are non-existent. Here's to hoping that the ADHD ones (if appropriate) will be better. I doubt it, though.
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Post by gillywilly on Jan 31, 2016 21:37:47 GMT
Gosh, sounds like I've been really lucky compared with you guys. Saw GP in late Feb 2015, taking along a completed Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale symptom checklist (as advertised on this site's guidelines). Also took along examples of my symptoms during childhood/adulthood (which I managed to drop all over the surgery floor ). Asked to be referred to see an ADHD specialist (again, as per guidelines on here). GP asked me a few further questions, then filled out a referral there and then. Got confirmatory letter from the nearest Adult ADHD clinic* a week or so later that I was now on their waiting list but to be prepared for a long wait (*in Exeter, part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust). Last August (8+ months later), I phoned the number on the letter (having first lost it, and having to ask the surgery for a copy ). Was given Jan 2016 as expected date (so 10-11 months after original referral). Was then told about their last-minute cancellations list - which I asked to be put on. Late September got a call from the clinic (they'd had a last-minute cancellation); saw a psychiatrist specialising in Adult ADHD two days later, and was diagnosed and prescribed meds at the end of the 2-hour session. (It helped having my partner of a year there with me.) Was given a post-diagnostic information pack (hugely useful) and saw their prescribing nurse and psychologist a week later. The service includes access to closed Facebook pages that they monitor, answer questions and post info on (one is for us ADHDers, one for our friends/family members). They also offer a partner or family member a session with their psychologist, and offer a 6-week course for us to attend, to help with organisation/planning, and understanding how ADHD has affected us throughout our lives. I get to see the prescribing nurse (who's brilliant) every couple of weeks to see how my current meds are working. Amazing service! This is all provided free of charge on the NHS. I feel very fortunate. The very best of luck to those of you still seeking diagnosis.
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mtb79
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Post by mtb79 on Feb 1, 2016 8:45:17 GMT
I went to my GP, she said we had to rule out depression, so stints on SSRI's and SSNRI's with the inevitable worsening of symptoms and CBT followed, then she referred me to local mental health trust, they referred me to Adult ADHD team and I finally got a diagnosis. That process took from January 2015 - December 2015. Didn't get medication until last week though.
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Post by Paul M on Jun 12, 2017 6:12:12 GMT
I've just been told to expect a 12 to 24 month wait in Haringey, although it's possible I could be seen sooner.
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Post by marionk on Jun 12, 2017 9:03:12 GMT
I went to my GP, she said we had to rule out depression, so stints on SSRI's and SSNRI's with the inevitable worsening of symptoms and CBT followed, then she referred me to local mental health trust, they referred me to Adult ADHD team and I finally got a diagnosis. That process took from January 2015 - December 2015. Didn't get medication until last week though. I've often wondered about that. I had been under a psych. for depression more than once, so it was already on record that none of the standard antidepressants were more than superficially helpful, and that most of them were in fact worse than unhelpful. That the system has masses of measures to stop the prescription of drugs that are dangerous to NT's but good for us, is bad enough, but to actually require us to be given what are for us dangerous drugs before it will consider drugs that are helpful, is hypocritical in the worst possible way. A long waiting list is immaterial compared to dangerous practice along the way. (I nearly killed myself due to inappropriate prescription, and many others have died from that same prescription (Seroxat) and probably from others too. If testing that it's not (normal) depression by administering inappropriate and often dangerous drugs is actually required for dx of ADHD, then this has to change!
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Gott23
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Post by Gott23 on Jul 3, 2017 13:04:07 GMT
I've just been told to expect a 12 to 24 month wait in Haringey, although it's possible I could be seen sooner. Just to give you a bit of supporting evidence for the borough; I've been waiting for assessment since April 2016 and I recently got in touch with the clinic to attempt to find out what's going on.. The answer I got was 18 months is now the waiting time on average but there is capacity to be put on the "cancellation standby" list but just how much quicker that will get you seen remains to be seen. I'm more peeved at the fact it had appeared I'd originally been referred to the Maudsley but ended up being allocated to Barnet... The worst of it being that my waiting time suddenly went from 3-6 months to 8 months and hell knows how much longer. The impression I get is the clinic is in quite a bit of chaos and somewhat snowed under.. :/
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 11:59:50 GMT
Find the address of your local MP and pitch a tent in his/her front garden.
Call the papers and conduct an interview outside your tent.
When you're forcibly removed, sell your story about how the system has failed you and willingly continues to do so.
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timecode
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Post by timecode on Jul 10, 2017 15:23:57 GMT
i couldnt bear to wait without knowing, so went for private assessment and then asked for nhs referral. that's a tiny bit of a v long story... nil desperandum
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emory
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Hi, not been on here in a while so just saying hello to anyone who's there
Posts: 30
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Post by emory on Jul 17, 2017 15:17:15 GMT
Just phoned the two nearest clinics outside my area (Worcestershire) which are Avon and Wiltshire Trust Bristol clinic, and Birmingham and Solihull Trust Neuropsychiatry clinic, for estimated waiting times. Bristol said 10 months and Birmingham said 6 to 12 months. This is only once you're actually on the list which I'm not. I'm 2 weeks away from even ASKING for the GP to make a funding request. could be months before I even get on the list. I'm interested in this idea of a last minute cancellations list, deffo going to ask about that. On a last note I always try and remind myself that this is a government funded organisation, and while it can seem crap you never know what's going to happen REALLY. All you need is to happen upon a few motivated and forward thinking people and things could move faster than you think. Like all government funded things it can easily go from zero to hero and back again on an almost weekly basis.
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priya
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Post by priya on Dec 26, 2017 22:11:04 GMT
Two years in Devon. Getting private diagnosis for £300
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Post by pixeltrasher on Aug 31, 2018 14:03:16 GMT
Two years in Devon. Getting private diagnosis for £300 I appreciate this was a while ago but just wondering how you got on with the private diagnosis?
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smill
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Post by smill on Nov 4, 2018 15:58:22 GMT
Nearly 2 YEARS it's been for me and I'm still waiting. My ADD has tried ruining my life in this time. Deep depression and suicidal thoughts. They NEED to be quicker! and actually help people who need to be helped!
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davem
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Post by davem on Nov 21, 2018 10:08:54 GMT
Not long after my relatively brief interaction with the forum in early 2016, I moved to a GP practice in North Wales and, consequently, had to relinquish access to the adult ADHD service. I've not had any treatment for my ADHD in about 21 month, and have been fighting for access to a psychiatrist on and off ever since. I finally have an appointment with a psychiatrist next week, but it is with general psychiatry, rather than a specialised ADHD service. I shall keep you informed of my progress. But before I escape back into the cyber ether, I wanted to lament the awful triage system that now exists within the NHS, which compels patients to first see a psychiatric nurse. This system, in my opinion, is horrific, and access to the necessary psychiatric care is being rationed on the basis of the knowledge and expertise of the nurse. We must change this, not just for ADHD sufferers, but for all people undergoing psychiatric distress.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Nov 23, 2018 11:38:34 GMT
davem I agree with the ridiculous triage system! Where I live, they’ve only recently set up an adult ADHD service (run by a general psychiatrist) and I run a support group so I’ve been advising people how to access it . . .the system is . . .phone triage by MH nurse, face-to-face appointment with MH nurse. . .if you get through that you’re triaged by an ADHD nurse before getting to see the psychiatrist. . . The difficultly is getting past the first face-to-face MH nurse . . . I’ve heard awful stories. . .like nurse saying “you can diagnose yourself with anything online” ”you can’t have ADHD because you sat reasonably still” “there’s no point getting assessed because getting a label won’t help you” . . .usually resulting in a diagnosis of anxiety and depression, antidepressants and group CBT
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Post by stresshead75 on Jan 9, 2019 5:10:30 GMT
I don't think I waited that long, no more than three months from some time this summer, July I think, to October. Nhs, I saw a visiting guy from Liverpool at a clinic in Bolton. Hello people, After spending all 2016/17 asking for help from G.p. He sent me to see a senior M.H. Worker. That was Feb 2018. She assesesd me, sent for Qb test August 18. Given appointment with specialist march 19. Getting close!!! Hang in there. Will be worth it in the end. SH 75 😀 Turns out my appointment is 26/04/2019!!!!!! Read the date wrong!! Can anyone tell me what to expect at nhs specialist first session?? (Qb test done). Thank you. SH75 ❤😀❤
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Post by kitanasfan on May 10, 2019 9:36:24 GMT
I was referred to Leeds Adult ADHD Service and the wait time for an appointment was 12 months. After 6 months there were still 170 people ahead of me on the list.
Anyone getting seen before 12 months is really lucky. Provision for Adult ADHD services is really low and teams are small.
Hearing lots of different stories regarding the competency of some of the services also.
My wait was 12 months but my assessment lasted four hours, and they wanted to talk to my Mum who came with me and also sent a questionnaire to my boyfriend. Because he answered quickly and got it back to them the same day I had a diagnosis within two days of inattentive ADHD. It seems like there is a lot of misinformation with healthcare professionals about what ADHD is and how it presents. We obviously know ourselves that we can all be very different. Personally I have no problem sitting in a seat for hours, but I will fidget. But I don’t get up and move around. Doesn’t mean I don’t have ADHD.
Also I have severe anxiety which I’m receiving CBT for and my therapist believes my anxiety and phobia are a coping mechanism for the ADHD. But it sounds like some professionals are assuming that anxiety is the real cause of issues, and not the ADHD actually causing the anxiety, which is far more common in women.
Good luck to everyone waiting to be assessed!
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Post by wallpaper0747 on Nov 4, 2020 2:05:50 GMT
I went to my GP, she said we had to rule out depression, so stints on SSRI's and SSNRI's with the inevitable worsening of symptoms and CBT followed, then she referred me to local mental health trust, they referred me to Adult ADHD team and I finally got a diagnosis. That process took from January 2015 - December 2015. Didn't get medication until last week though.I've been letting them slip me SSRI's for 15 years! Had a mental health nurse assessment 5 years back that wrote 'presented with no psychomotor over-activity' and suggested i was prescribed yet another SSRI variant. At the time i didn't know adhd came without the H but now that i do, i'm almost certain this was a nurse dismissing adhd within the first 5 mins. 3 year, yeah really! a 3 year wait now in the cheshire,wirral and liverpool area who share ONE assessor..... The research into SSRIs making ADHD worse is NOT NEW! Also why did a nurse (only just found that out too) do a mental health assessment when my Dr requested one from a Psychiatrist/psychologist ? Is that not like a chef asking the pot wash to design a new menu? Might work out well but unlikely....
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kewns
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Post by kewns on Nov 14, 2020 0:43:46 GMT
I feel your pain 3 years! Yikes 😱
My just offer 2 years & there in process of maybe closing down the Knowsley adhd service! It’s under review at moment with me number 70 on waiting list!
I might go private I don’t know, I wouldn’t say am that bothered about getting the treatment as I think life is great 👍 however I do wonder if the meds will help improving my life & there’s only one way too find out!
I do feel sorry people, I worked in mental health for years It’s was a very underfunded service & very tough as it’s not as simple as generally medicine! Digianose problem treat said problem!
One word of advice ( which maybe should take myself at times🙄🙄🙄)
If your unhappy with any part of your service complain use advocacy or mind services! I know for a fact we’d respond quickly too deal with complaints!
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