Last month, a BBC investigation found that many areas of the UK have such long backlogs for adult ADHD assessments that it would take at least eight years to clear them. The investigation suggests there are currently at least 196,000 adults on waiting lists across the UK.

Since 2019, there has been a 51 per cent increase in prescriptions for ADHD medications such as methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine, according to the Nuffield Trust. But it has still not caught up with demand. In April, the trust said 24 per cent of patients referred for ADHD in England were having to wait one to two years for an assessment. Rising demand fuelled by increased awareness of ADHD symptoms, coupled with limited capacity, has contributed to the backlogs, with three trusts having closed their waiting lists completely.

  • twinnie
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    1 month ago

    I was reading something that showed all the different waiting times around the UK. I think it was Dorset where the wait time was only a few weeks.

    • GreatAlbatrossA
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      1 month ago

      Probably because Dorset is 95% retirees who would explain why ADHD doesn’t exist, as they never had anything like that.

  • FiveMacs@lemmy.ca
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    1 month ago

    I know I have ADHD, I can’t even remember about appointments in 6 months let alone 5 years.

    Screw the assessment and just assume (that’s all they do anyways since there’s no actual tests). Tell em to give meds or learn to live with it. No cure.

    • SirSamuel@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Middle-aged Amerifat here. I just got a prescription for Wellbutrin. I’m only four days in, and while i haven’t noticed an improvement in focus yet (I’m giving it a full 3 months), I have noticed a decrease in appetite. That alone is worth continuing IMO.

      I’ve never been diagnosed. Medicaid doesn’t cover diagnostic psych testing, although it’s been amazing in every other way. But I’ve talked with my primary care provider a few times and he recommended Wellbutrin as an alternative to amphetamines. So here we go