ADHD Diagnosis
ADHD is a complex condition that can be difficult to manage. It can affect anyone from childhood until adulthood.
With NHS service wait times at an all time high, some customers are opting to pay for private ADHD assessments and medication. The recent BBC Panorama documentary has highlighted concerns that some of these services are not up to scratch.
What is an ADHD diagnosis?
An ADHD diagnosis is a forensic assessment made by your psychiatrist based on your development background, behavioural patterns and symptoms. To determine a diagnosis, they'll ask you to complete several questionnaires and conduct an interview to build up a clinical picture. Some of these questions are standardised and are used by all psychiatrists, while others are tailored to each psychiatrist. Each clinic and psychiatrist will have their own set of tests and questions they prefer to use.
A psychiatrist will also want to review your family, medical and psychiatric history and your current symptoms. Most often, they'll inquire about the way your symptoms affect you at home, work and in other situations. They will then assess whether your symptoms meet the guidelines for treating mental illness set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be evident in more than one setting (home or school, and/or social situations) and significantly hinder your ability to perform. Your symptoms must have started before you reached the age of 12 old, and they must be present for a lengthy period of time. In addition, you must meet the criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations of ADHD to get a diagnosis.
During the interview your psychiatrist will determine whether your symptoms were present since childhood and how they are affecting you now. They will also determine if you suffer from other illnesses that could explain your symptoms, such as anxiety or sleep disorders or depression.
It is important to be aware that many adults with ADHD have a poor memory of their childhood experiences, particularly if they had an unhappy childhood. This could affect their ability to identify the presence of ADHD symptoms in their lives today and it may be important for your therapist to talk to a significant person like your spouse or partner to help gather additional information about your childhood.
Contacting your primary physician for a referral or consulting the staff of the local hospital for university patients or an office for mental health can help you locate an expert in healthcare who specializes in ADHD evaluations. You can also ask for suggestions from a support group of people who suffer from ADHD.
Why do I require an ADHD assessment?
Before you begin any treatment, it is essential to obtain a thorough diagnosis if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. It's impossible to determine ADHD by taking an online test or questionnaire. Only an expert in health care can conduct a thorough assessment and make a clear diagnosis. If you don't recognize it, ADHD can lead to serious issues in your work, with relationships, and even with your health.
If your GP is aware that you believe you suffer from ADHD symptoms, they'll be attentive and ask you for more information about your life and past. They'll likely refer you for an NHS screening test that will comprise a clinical interview and the completion of several validated ADHD evaluation scales.
You will also be asked to complete questionnaires with people who know you, like your close family members or friends. This allows the healthcare professional to gain an understanding of your behaviour, and how it affects others. A person with an IQ that is high IQ may have developed strategies to compensate for the symptoms of ADHD. For example, they might use technology to keep track their appointments, but your spouse can tell when they're having trouble remembering things.
Private healthcare professionals are not allowed to bend the rules simply because you pay for your assessment. They must follow the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines for ADHD assessments. The process can be faster than waiting for an NHS appointment.
Having an ADHD assessment can help you identify the root of your issues and the best to deal with these issues, while also getting you on the right track by taking medication. If you decide to start treatment, make sure that you have your GP sign a shared-care agreement with your private doctor (so that you pay only for the NHS prescription fee) to keep track of your progress and give guidance on any changes. This will ensure that you receive the most efficient and appropriate therapy for your particular requirements. If you're interested to get an ADHD assessment, speak to one of our brain and mind experts at an Priory hospital or wellness centre today.
What is the outcome if I fail to receive an appointment?
ADHD symptoms can differ between individuals and their manifestations can also change with time. It is due to this that a reliable diagnosis, especially for adults, is difficult to obtain, despite fact that a majority of GPs take their concerns seriously. It is also why some people have a harder time than others to access NHS services. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and it takes several years before someone wanting to be evaluated is able to get an assessment.
In the meantime, someone may not be able to find a job, or their relationships might be affected. Adults who aren't diagnosed are at a greater risk of serious problems like mood disorders and substance abuse. Adults who aren't diagnosed may suffer from extreme sadness or anxiety and may begin to accept their lives without the motivation and success they could have had when they were diagnosed and treated.
The good news is that if have struggled with your ADHD, it is possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. If you decide to go to a private doctor to get an assessment it is crucial to select your doctor carefully. Do your research and seek recommendations from family and friends before making any decisions. Verify their credentials and qualifications and ask former clients and patients about their experience.
A specialist with the proper training can use a variety tools to diagnose ADHD. These include questionnaires, interviews and medical tests. private adhd assessment uk of the diagnosis is to rule out other reasons, like learning disabilities or emotional issues, which are difficult to distinguish from ADHD.
In an ADHD assessment, the expert may interview you or your partner to discuss the symptoms and how they impact your life. They might also use an DSM-5 symptom checklist and other psychometric tests to determine the severity of your symptoms. The stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD in adults and children. It has been used since 1937. It is an extremely efficient treatment since it can have a highly positive effect on mood and it can help stabilize brain function.
How can I get a diagnosis of ADHD?
A healthcare professional will interview you or your children to determine the cause of ADHD. They will ask questions about your or your child's behavior across different situations, like at home and at school. They may also use rating scales to help identify symptoms, like inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They will need to know if your symptoms or those of your child were present since childhood and if these symptoms have affected your daily life.
They'll also inquire whether the symptoms you or your child is experiencing are connected to other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. About 80% of those with ADHD have co-occurring mental health problems and it is crucial to rule out these conditions.
A private healthcare provider may also request your permission to speak with family members as well as teachers, friends or scout leaders. They may also interview religious coaches or leaders. They will ask about how your your child's behavior affects his or her daily lives and ask whether there any past history of abuse or trauma.
The healthcare professional will explain why they don't believe the diagnosis of ADHD is appropriate. The reason could be that they don't think the symptoms are severe enough or they believe they can be explained by a different condition.
A recommendation from your family physician is a great suggestion to get an ADHD assessment. If you don't have a family doctor or a psychiatrist, you can ask your insurance company or a local mental health support group to get recommendations.
Bring any relevant documentation including psychological, medical, education, and employment to your appointment. The health professional will likely ask for a complete family and social history. They will also conduct a physical examination.
After looking over all the data, the health care professional will be able determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD. They will then recommend treatment, such as medication, if necessary. If you plan to use the NHS prescription services for your medication, make sure you check with them first to make sure they'll accept a personal diagnosis of ADHD that has been certified by the NHS.