‘My ADHD diagnosis was validating but six-year wait was painful’

Pascale said that throughout her life she had struggled with impulsivity and inattentiveness.

NHS data currently shows that adults wait an average of eight years for an ADHD diagnosis once they are on a waiting list.

A BBC investigation found that a significant number of areas are restricting access to those waiting lists to deal with demand.

In a bid to cut waiting times, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust said it was beginning a scheme using specially-trained private GPs to provide ADHD assessments.

Up to 100 adults a month will receive the assessments through the GPs.

Graham Wareham, chief executive of Surrey and Borders, said: “The reality is there aren’t enough consultant psychiatrists to meet the population need so we need a different model of care.

“People are waiting too long so we need to work differently to think about how we can meet people’s needs sooner.”