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By Amy Stewart
BBC News NI
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Adults in Northern Ireland seeking assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being forced to go private because of a dire lack of referral services in some areas, a charity has said.
Some health trusts have not been able to accept new referrals for adult assessment and diagnosis.
ADHD charities said a lack of services or even waiting lists has forced many people to pay for a private diagnosis.
ADDNI said people are taking out loans.
The charity's chief executive Sarah Salters added that some people who do get a private diagnosis cannot then get medication from their GP through the NHS.
Mark Bonello, 50, who lives in Ballymoney, County Antrim, told BBC News NI that he paid for a private assessment, but said not everyone was in a position to do that.
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