ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often look for ADHD assessments because they feel that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
In the current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have a legal right to an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE guidelines and will also seek out observer reports from people who know you, especially as a child.
What is ADHD assessment?
Your child or you can find out whether they have ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned and diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK that are certified to diagnose ADHD. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They may also interview people who know your symptoms. They might also ask for a physical exam and medical history to rule out any other conditions that may be a precursor to ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
It is essential to be honest during your assessment. If you're not honest, the person evaluating you may conclude that you're not really serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't like they're that serious. During the evaluation, you'll likely be asked about your family and personal history of mental health and any difficulties in school or work. You might be asked to fill out a questionnaire or to complete an assessment of your behavior. You'll also need to be attentive during the examination.
To qualify for a diagnosis to be eligible for a diagnosis, you must exhibit at least six symptoms of ADHD that manifest in more than one setting like home and school, and interfere with your life. These symptoms must have started in your early childhood, prior to the age of 12, and they can't be explained by another disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You could be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist that specializes in treating ADHD for treatment.
The waiting times are significantly shorter if opting to go private. It's not uncommon to have to wait for more than a year on the NHS and it can be a huge blow to those who are struggling in the meantime. A few people on the waiting list for NHS took their own lives due to the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment quickly. Most private psychiatrists are skilled in treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you suspect that you have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your daily life that could be related to it you should have an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. Ideally, this will be done by a psychiatrist that has experience working with neurodevelopmental conditions and ADHD specifically. Psychotherapists and psychologists are also able to conduct this kind of assessment. If you're not sure of which therapy to pick you can ask your general practitioner to recommend a therapy provider you've met. You can also search the internet to locate professionals in your area who have a good reputation. Certain insurance plans also offer lists of qualified professionals.
A structured interview and questions will be part of the process to determine a complete diagnosis. The primary focus will be on your symptoms in your current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your previous symptoms as a child or adolescent. The doctor will also focus on the consequences of your symptoms as you enter adulthood. They will also look for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and the circumstances, they may request information from your close family members and friends. You may also be asked to bring old school documents or reports to be examined. This can be a difficult process as it is difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or your adolescence.
The process is more difficult if you're a minority group and/or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance there is a prejudice against people of colour, GNCs and females being diagnosed with ADHD even when the symptoms are obvious. It can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. However, GPs can refer you to a private doctor such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to sign an agreement for shared care with your GP for medication which can make the process a lot easier, but not all GPs will accept this.
How do I have an assessment completed?
Your primary healthcare provider is your doctor and they are the ideal person to refer you for an assessment. You can also contact an individual specialist, like Priory and make an appointment. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults and offer a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred to a specialist, they will request you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be accessed through your portal's dashboard and should be completed at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviours that could be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is typically handled by the local community mental health team in the event that you are within the catchment area offering this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment as well as examining other conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.
You should also be aware of any mental health issues you might have or have had in the past. These could affect your ability to get assessed for ADHD. It is also helpful to bring any feedback or reports received from tutors, supervisors and work colleagues as well as the details of any assistance you receive at home (for instance, through a GP service or a non-profit organization like EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will share the results with you once they have completed the evaluation. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will offer an outline of treatment that could include medications recommendations. The care plan will include any other assistance they believe you might benefit from, such as the recommendation to talk therapy or coaching.
We recognise that it can be difficult to get the help you require in the event that your social or health needs are complicated. We offer a confidential, free call with an assistant psychology to help you determine the available support. This could include the referral to local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
A clear diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can cause issues in a variety of settings, from the workplace to your home. An evaluation usually includes an extensive interview conducted by a knowledgeable professional, as well as various forms of psychometric tests. The results can be used to determine how symptoms affect a person and if they are caused by medical conditions or other issues.
A comprehensive assessment involves gathering information on the person's background, especially when symptoms started and how long they've been present. In addition to discussing the current impact of ADHD symptoms, the specialist will be interested in how the symptoms have affected their life in general and in major settings such as work, school and relationships. This will be dependent on a definition of impairment which considers whether the person has lost their job as a result of their difficulties with time management, experienced excessive conflict and distress in their marriage, or been put on academic probation for 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 materials they use, certain protocols are considered essential to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a detailed interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In certain cases specialists will conduct a series of tests that are designed to test for ADHD and other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
Consult your doctor or visiting a local mental health clinic can be helpful if you are unsure where to begin or have any questions about the right health care professional. Many support groups for people with ADHD will also be able to provide information about competent professionals in your area. adhd diagnosis adults uk offer a list of qualified professionals sorted by specialty to help you locate the right expert for your assessment.