ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often look for ADHD assessments because they believe that something isn't just right. They may be concerned about their relationships or work.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales you have a right to a diagnosis of ADHD. Your specialist will follow NICE Guidelines and will also request observer reports from other people who know you well, particularly as you were a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
You or your child can determine if they have ADHD by getting an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed by a licensed specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may use a number of methods to assess your symptoms, such as checklists and scales for assessing behavior and also interview people who are familiar with you. They might also request your medical history as well as an examination of your body to rule out conditions like depression or anxiety disorder that could mimic ADHD.
It is important to be honest during your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator may think you aren't serious about being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't that bad. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to provide information about your personal history with mental health and that of your family as well as any issues at school or at work. You may be asked for a questionnaire or to complete an assessment of your behavior. You'll also need to pay attention to the test.
To qualify for a diagnosis you must show at least six signs of ADHD that appear in two or more settings like home and school, and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have started in childhood, before age 12, and they can't be explained by another disorder, like depression or anxiety. You could be referred by your GP or an independent psychiatrist who is specialized with ADHD to receive treatment.
The waiting times are significantly shorter if opting to opt for private. On the NHS, it's not unusual to wait over one year. This can be a huge burden for those who are struggling. A few people on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment allows you to begin treatment quickly. Private psychiatrists are generally skilled in treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities such as depression or anxiety.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD or are experiencing issues in your daily routine that could be due to it, you should seek an expert mental assessment. This should be conducted by an experienced psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. However, there are psychologists and psychotherapists that are able to perform this type of assessment. If you're unsure of which therapy to pick, you can ask your general practitioner for a recommendation or another therapy provider you've met. You can also use the internet to find specialists in your area that have an excellent reputation. Some insurance plans have lists of professional who are qualified.
The process of obtaining a diagnostic will include questions and a structured discussion with the specialist. The primary focus will be on your symptoms within your current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask you about your history of symptoms in your adolescent and childhood however, they will also focus on the impact that your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also test for any other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Depending on your identity and circumstances, they might ask for details about your family members and friends. It is also not unusual for them to request that you bring old school reports or other documents to review. This can be a difficult process as it is difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or the adolescence.
The process may be more difficult if you're a minority group and/or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK, for example there is still an underlying stigma against people of color gender non-conforming (GNCs) and females being diagnosed with ADHD even when the symptoms are obvious. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis, but it is possible for doctors to refer you an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an evaluation. It is also possible to obtain a shared-care agreement with your GP for medication which can make the process a lot easier, however not all GPs will accept this.
How can I have an assessment completed?
Your physician is your primary care provider and is the best in referring you to an assessment. You can also call a private specialist, like Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD for adults and provide a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred to a specialist, they will ask you and a family member or family member (if you have one) to fill out some questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can be accessed via your portal dashboard. They should be completed at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. These are designed to identify the behaviors that could indicate ADHD. Your GP will then make arrangements for an onward referral to a commissioned adult ADHD service.
If you live in an area that offers this service, the local mental health service typically conducts it. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric examination, including looking at other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
It's important to mention any other mental health issues that you're suffering from, or that have been previously diagnosed in your family, since these could affect your ability to be evaluated for ADHD. It is also helpful to bring along any reports or feedback from your educational instructors, supervisors and colleagues as well as the details of any assistance you receive at home (for example, through a GP service or a non-profit organisation such as EmployAbility).
After the psychiatrist has completed the evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If diagnosis of adhd conclude that you have ADHD they will give you a plan of care which may include prescriptions for medication. The care plan will also outline any other supports that they think would be beneficial for you, like providing you with information on counseling or talk therapies.
We understand that it can be difficult to get the assistance you require in the event that your social or health healthcare needs are complex. We provide a free, confidential call with an assistant psychology to help you find out what support is available. This could include a referral to an area ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
A proper diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can create difficulties in a variety situations ranging from the workplace to your home. A thorough interview conducted by an experienced professional and a variety of psychometric tests is typically part of an evaluation. The results can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect a person and if they are caused by medical conditions or any other causes.
A thorough assessment requires gathering detailed information about the person's past, specifically when the symptoms began and the length of time they have been present. The specialist will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, including work, school, and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment, which examines whether the person has been fired because of their difficulties with time management or put on academic probation due to poor grades.
A trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. Although the professionals can differ slightly in the methods and the tools they employ Certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a thorough clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and various other types of psychometric testing. In certain cases the specialist will administer a series of tests designed to screen for ADHD and other disorders like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Consult your doctor or contacting a local mental clinic can be helpful if you aren't sure where to start or have questions regarding the right health care professional. Many adult ADHD support groups will be capable of providing you with information about qualified professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans include specialists who are certified and can assist you in finding an appropriate specialist for your evaluation.