How to Pay for A Private ADHD Diagnosis
Awareness surrounding ADHD is growing in the UK – with ADHD diagnoses increasing significantly over the last two decades, according to research done by UCL. But as more people gain awareness of the condition, which can present as difficulty concentrating or paying attention, waiting lists to get the condition diagnosed on the NHS are also growing. This means that people in some areas are waiting up to ten years to get seen, according to ADHD UK. This has led to more people turning to private practitioners to get diagnosed and medicated. This blog will help you explore options if you’re looking for a private ADHD diagnosis, including advice on how to finance it. Start a GoFundMe today to crowdfund your private ADHD diagnosis.
The Challenges of Living With ADHD
ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – is a type of neurodivergence that can present as being unable to concentrate, making careless mistakes, being unable to listen, being forgetful or easily distracted and losing things necessary for daily tasks. For those with ADHD, normal day-to-day life can be made harder. Schoolwork, work environments, tasks around the house or general life admin might be difficult to keep on top of or feel generally overwhelming. Not too long ago, the stereotype of someone with ADHD was normally seen as young school-age boys being unable to sit still or concentrate. However, because there’s far more public awareness now on what ADHD is, more people from all walks of life are getting diagnosed. As mentioned above, this is good for them in terms of getting answers as to why they feel a certain way and being put on a path to treatment, but it does mean that the NHS waiting lists for ADHD diagnoses are now overwhelmed. According to ADHD UK, wait times for the NHS vary between 12 weeks in Dorset to 550 weeks in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
More people are choosing the private route to get diagnosed – but this also comes with obstacles. Private diagnoses may cost hundreds of pounds, plus prescriptions or therapy to address the problem. But crowdfunding on GoFundMe can help you reach out to your community to shoulder the costs.
How Much Is a Private ADHD Assessment in the UK?
So, if you’ve decided that you might want to look into getting a private ADHD diagnosis, you need to be armed with the facts to enable you to make that decision. How much does an ADHD diagnosis cost in the UK – and what kind of private treatment might you need as a follow up should you pursue this route? Well, a private ADHD diagnosis can cost between £400 to £2,000, depending on how many consultations are required, according to Psychiatry UK.
Prices can vary depending on the specific clinic you use, how many appointments you have and which medical professionals are involved. Additional costs may come from follow up appointments, medication reviews and the prescriptions themselves, should you choose to go down that route after diagnosis. Some clinics may also offer packages which encompass several appointments whereas others charge individually.
Funding a Private ADHD Diagnosis
There are a number of ways that you could fund a private ADHD diagnosis.
- Using personal savings: An obvious way to fund a private ADHD diagnosis is to dip into any personal savings, if you have them. It’s important here to not overstretch yourself or spend too much of your rainy day money if you may need it for other things.
- Health insurance: Some private health insurers may cover the cost of an ADHD diagnosis in part. If you have a pre-existing policy, make sure to consult with them to see what’s available.
- Employer support: Some workplaces may offer employee assist programmes that include some healthcare benefits – make sure to check this out before reaching out to healthcare providers so you don’t miss out.
Crowdfunding to Pay for A Private ADHD Diagnosis
Another effective (and free to start!) way to pay for a private ADHD diagnosis would be to start a GoFundMe fundraiser. Although it might feel daunting to ask for donations, many kind people are happy to contribute, especially when it comes to matters of health.
To start a GoFundMe fundraiser, all you need to do is follow this link and complete the process. To really make your fundraiser shine you should:
- Share your story: Your fundraiser story is a place to be candid. Go into as much detail as you feel comfortable with as to why you’re fundraising and what the money will go towards. You could include specific amounts which will pay for the first doctors appointment, for example. Be transparent here – it might feel vulnerable but it will help with your journey.
- Engage your friends, family, community: Once you’ve started your fundraiser, get sharing that link far and wide! Use your group chats, email lists, social media profiles to share, share, share. You could even print out posters with the QR code, too.
- Thank your supporters: Make sure to say thank you to anyone who has donated!
Additional Resources and Support
Any decision about your health is a serious matter. That’s why it’s also good to look into additional resources and support which might be able to help you on your journey. A good starting point here is to try and connect with the community – find local ADHD support groups in your area to draw off the experience of others who have gone through or may be going through a similar thing. ADHD UK has a resource here to try and track these down, as does UK ADHD and ADHD Aware.
Before you make a decision on a diagnosis route, it might be worth trying to speak to a healthcare professional too – such as your GP – who might be able to give you a steer in which direction or practitioner is best to start with.
Start Your Journey Towards A Private ADHD Diagnosis with GoFundMe
ADHD is a condition which is manageable, but can be overwhelming and debilitating. The first step in a lifechanging journey for many may be to seek a diagnosis and then get the professional support needed to overcome the challenges that ADHD can present.
A private ADHD diagnosis might be expensive, but it could be priceless when it comes to what it means in the day to day running of your life. If you’ve decided to pay for private and want to crowdfund, you can start a GoFundMe today to see donations rolling in. Good luck and happy fundraising.