ADHD Diagnosis
ADHD is a complicated condition that can be difficult to manage. It can affect people from childhood right through to adulthood.
With NHS service waiting times at an record high, a few people are opting to pay for private ADHD assessments and prescriptions. BBC Panorama's recent documentary highlighted concerns that some of these services weren't up to par.
What is ADHD?
Your psychiatrist will issue an official diagnosis of ADHD in light of the symptoms, your developmental history and your behavioural patterns. To make a diagnosis they'll ask you to complete a variety of questionnaires and conduct an interview to create a more detailed picture. Some of these are common questionnaires that all psychiatrists use and some are unique to them, so every clinic and psychiatrist has their own preferred set of tests and questions they prefer to use.
A psychiatrist will also want to review your family medical and psychiatric history along with your current symptoms. They'll often ask you about how your symptoms impact your daily life at home, work and in other settings. They will then assess whether your symptoms meet the clinical guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Your symptoms must be present at least twice (at school, at home or in social settings) and significantly limit your ability function. The symptoms must have been present for a long time and began before turning 12 years old. 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 also attempt to determine how your symptoms impact your daily life and if they have been present since the time of your childhood. They will also determine if there are other conditions that may explain your symptoms. For example sleep disorders or depression, or anxiety.
It is crucial to remember that many adults with ADHD don't have a good memory of their childhoods, particularly if it was difficult. This can impact their ability to recognize the presence of ADHD symptoms in their current lives and it may be important for your therapist to speak with a significant other, such as a spouse or partner, to gather more information about your childhood.
You can find a healthcare professional who specialises in ADHD evaluations by asking your primary doctor for a referral, consulting with the staff at a hospital affiliated with a university or contacting a mental health clinic. You can also talk to a support group for individuals with ADHD and request suggestions.
Why do I require an ADHD assessment?
Before beginning any treatment, it's important to get a complete diagnosis if you suspect that you might have ADHD. It's impossible to diagnose ADHD through an online test or questionnaire - only an expert in health care can carry out an extensive assessment and provide a clear diagnosis. Having undiagnosed ADHD can lead to serious problems with relationships, work and overall health.
If your GP is aware that you you might be suffering from ADHD, they will consider you a serious patient and request details of your past and present. They'll likely refer you for an NHS screening assessment which will consist of an interview with a psychiatrist and the completion of several valid ADHD evaluation scales.
You may also be asked to fill out questionnaires with people who are familiar with you, such as your family or close friends. This will help your healthcare professional to get a more holistic picture of your behaviour and see how it affects other people. A person with an IQ that is high IQ might have developed strategies to deal with the symptoms of ADHD. For example they may utilize technology to keep their appointments, but your spouse can tell when they're having difficulty remembering things.
A private healthcare professional won't be able to alter the rules because you are paying for their assessment. They must still adhere to National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines when assessing for ADHD. However, the process may be faster than waiting for an appointment with the NHS.
An ADHD assessment can help identify the root cause of the issue and the best method to treat it. It can also help get you on the right path with medication. If you decide to commence treatment, make sure that you get your GP sign a shared-care agreement with your private physician (so that you only pay for the NHS prescription fee) so that they can keep track of your progress and give guidance regarding any changes. This will ensure that you receive the most effective and appropriate treatment to meet your individual requirements. Speak to one of Priory's brain and mental experts today if interested in obtaining an ADHD assessment.
What happens if I don't get a diagnosis?
ADHD symptoms can vary from individual to individual and the way they manifest can also change with time. This is why a reliable diagnosis is difficult to obtain, especially for adults, despite many GPs taking their concerns seriously. It is also a reason why certain people are more difficult than others to access NHS services. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and at times it takes several years before someone wanting to be assessed can get an assessment.
In the meantime, one might not be able to find an employment opportunity, or their relationships might be affected. Undiagnosed adults are at higher risk of serious problems like addiction and mood disorders. psychiatrist adhd assessment They can experience extreme sadness or anxiety, and they may begin to accept living a life without the drive and success that they could have if they had been diagnosed and treated.
The good news is that if you struggled to deal with your ADHD, it is possible to receive the right diagnosis and treatment. If you choose to see a private specialist for an evaluation it is essential to choose carefully. Get recommendations from friends and family and conduct your own research prior to you make any choices. Verify their credentials and qualifications and inquire from previous clients and patients about their experiences.
A qualified specialist can utilize a variety tools to help diagnose ADHD using interviews, questionnaires medical examinations, behavioral observations. The main goal of the diagnosis is to rule out possible causes, like mental disorders or learning disabilities, which are difficult to distinguish from ADHD.
During an ADHD assessment the expert will interview you and perhaps your partner or family members to explore your symptoms and their impact on your life. They might also use a DSM-5 checklist of symptoms and other psychometric tests to gauge the severity of your symptoms. The stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD in children and adults. It has been in use since 1937. It is a viable treatment as it has the potential to have a positive impact on mood and can stabilise the functioning of the brain.
How do I get an assessment of ADHD?
To diagnose ADHD, a medical professional must interview you or your child. They will ask questions about your or your child's behavior across different situations, like at home and in school. They may also use rating scales to help identify symptoms, like inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They should be aware of whether your symptoms or those of your child were present since childhood and if these symptoms have affected your daily functioning.
They should also be aware of whether your child's symptoms may be related to other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. About 80% of those suffering from ADHD have co-occurring mental health problems, so it is important to rule them out.
A private health care provider may also request permission to interview your family, teachers, friends, religious leaders, scout coaches or Scout scout leaders. They'll need to know how your child's behavior impacts them and their daily routine, and they will also be asked about any histories of trauma or abuse.
If they do not consider a diagnosis of ADHD to be appropriate then the healthcare professional will tell you why. It could be because they do not believe that the symptoms are sufficient, or they are better explained by another condition.
It is recommended to seek a referral from your family doctor for an ADHD assessment. If you don't have a family doctor or a psychiatrist, you can ask your insurance provider or a local mental health support group for recommendations.
Bring any relevant records, including medical, psychological education, employment, and other to your appointment. The health care professional will likely want to know your an entire family and social history. He will also conduct a physical examination.
Once the health care professional has reviewed all of the information, they will be in a position to determine whether or your child has ADHD. If necessary, they will recommend medication or other treatment. If you are planning to use the NHS prescription service to get your medication, it is worth checking with them first to see if they will accept an NHS-accredited private diagnosis of ADHD.