Reflections on developing an ADHD assessment service

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-246
Author(s):  
N. Farrelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Adhd Assessment ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Adult Mental Health

Clinicians in adult mental health services are coming under increasing pressure to respond to requests for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder assessment and management both from those who are to no longer eligible for treatment in the Child and Adolescent services and those seeking a new assessment. The challenges in responding to such requests are discussed in this reflection.

Review of international clinical guidelines for adolescents on transition to Adult Mental Health Services and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their application to an irish context

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Hughes ◽  
S. O’Hanrahan ◽  
G. Kavanagh ◽  
F. McNicholas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Diagnosis And Management ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
Irish Context

ObjectivesTo review the available clinical guidelines from Canada, North America, Europe and the United Kingdom for the diagnosis and management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for adolescents previously diagnosed in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) on transition to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) and for adults presenting with a diagnostic query re-ADHD. This article seeks to apply the available guidelines to an Irish context.MethodVarious clinical guidelines and consensus statements were identified by a literature search of PubMed, incorporating literature from the past 10 years from English speaking countries and inclusion of any additional guidelines of clinical relevance. A clinical guideline with specific reference for Irish clinicians was proposed for the diagnosis and management of adults presenting for the first time with a diagnostic query re-ADHD and also to include those young adults previously diagnosed in CAMHS on transition to AMHS.ConclusionsADHD is a lifelong disorder, which if undiagnosed or untreated can lead to significant impairment resulting in a high economic cost for society. Stimulant medication is a first-line treatment option for adults with ADHD; however, some formulations are unlicensed in Ireland. Recent licensing of Atomoxetine, for both adolescents on transition and for adults with newly diagnosed ADHD is a welcome development. Third-line agents are rarely prescribed due to their side effect profiles and are prescribed off-label:It is important to establish clinical guidelines for an Irish context incorporating a biopsychosocial approach. Further discussion amongst clinicians and stakeholders is needed to plan service development.

scholarly journals Mapping UK mental health services for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: national survey with comparison of reporting between three stakeholder groups

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Price ◽  
Astrid Janssens ◽  
Tamsin Newlove-Delgado ◽  
Helen Eke ◽  
Moli Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
The Uk

Background UK clinical guidelines recommend treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults by suitably qualified clinical teams. However, young people with ADHD attempting the transition from children's to adults’ services experience considerable difficulties in accessing care. Aims To map the mental health services in the UK for adults who have ADHD and compare the reports of key stakeholders (people with ADHD and their carers, health workers, service commissioners). Method A survey about the existence and extent of service provision for adults with ADHD was distributed online and via national organisations (e.g. Royal College of Psychiatrists, the ADHD Foundation). Freedom of information requests were sent to commissioners. Descriptive analysis was used to compare reports from the different stakeholders. Results A total of 294 unique services were identified by 2686 respondents. Of these, 44 (15%) were dedicated adult ADHD services and 99 (34%) were generic adult mental health services. Only 12 dedicated services (27%) provided the full range of treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Only half of the dedicated services (55%) and a minority of other services (7%) were reported by all stakeholder groups (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Conclusions There is geographical variation in the provision of NHS services for adults with ADHD across the UK, as well as limited availability of treatments in the available services. Differences between stakeholder reports raise questions about equitable access. With increasing numbers of young people with ADHD graduating from children's services, developing evidence-based accessible models of care for adults with ADHD remains an urgent policy and commissioning priority.

scholarly journals Regional analysis of UK primary care prescribing and adult service referrals for young people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: from little to very little

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuele Cortese
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Uk

Summary Drawing on data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, Price et al reported UK regional variations in primary care prescribing and referral rates to adult mental health services for young people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in transition from child and adolescent mental health services. Overall, considering that around 65% of young adults with childhood ADHD present with impairing ADHD symptoms and up to 90% of individuals with ADHD may benefit from ADHD medications, the study by Price et al shows that the rate of appropriate treatment for youngsters in the transition period varies from low to very low across the UK. As such, there is a continuous need for education and training for patients, their families, mental health professionals and commissioners, to eradicate the misconception that, in the majority of the cases, ADHD remits during adolescence and to support the devolvement of appropriate services for the evidence-based management of adult ADHD across the UK.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document