A crisis for ADHD diagnosis and waiting times for adults in the UK is having serious health and other impacts

Preliminary findings from http://www.adhdaction.org 's soon to be released Adult ADHD survey:

• 96% of adults experienced the onset or increase of health or social impacts WHILST WAITING FOR AN ADHD DIAGNOSIS, including problems with family or career; anxiety or panic attacks; and even suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide

• A third of adults that paid for a private ADHD diagnosis did so because there was no choice – due of a lack of ADHD service in their area, or a GP or other health professional refusing to refer to a service. A further 37% of adults paid for a private diagnosis because the waiting times on the NHS were too long, sometimes several years.

• Over half of adults already diagnosed by the NHS waited 7 months or more, many for several years

• A third of adults still waiting for an NHS ADHD assessment have already been doing so for 13 months or more. Waiting lists of 7 years are known in some parts of the country, with many areas having no service at all

• Nearly half of respondents stated they had difficulty persuading a GP or healthcare professional to refer them for diagnosis in the first place, many stating that they were told that ADHD was unlikely for reasons such as it was childhood disorder; or that because they had a job, could read books or had a degree, ADHD would not be the cause of their issues and difficulties. Some GPs openly stated that they “didn’t believe ADHD was a real issue”.

• 92% of respondents felt a diagnosis of ADHD had improved their lives

http://www.adhdaction.org/adult-adhd-survey-report