ADHD Diagnosis
ADHD is a complex condition. It can affect anyone from childhood to adulthood.
With NHS service waiting times at an ever-increasing rate, some people are opting to pay for private ADHD assessments and prescriptions. BBC Panorama's recent documentary revealed that some of these services were not up to standard.
What is an ADHD diagnosis?
Your psychiatrist will issue a clinical diagnosis of ADHD by looking at the signs as well as your development history and your behavioural patterns. They will ask you to complete several questionnaires, and then interview you in order to create a picture of your clinical condition. Some of these questionnaires are standardised and are used by all psychiatrists, and others are specific to each psychiatrist. Each psychiatrist and clinic will have their own set of questions and tests they prefer to use.
A psychiatrist will also want to examine your family, medical and psychiatric history, as well as your current symptoms. They'll usually ask you about how your symptoms affect your daily life at home, work and in other locations. They will then determine if your symptoms meet the guidelines for clinical care established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Your symptoms should be present at least twice (at home, school or in social situations) and severely impair your ability function. Your symptoms should have been present for a long time and started before you turned 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 consultation, your psychiatrist will try to determine if your symptoms have been present since childhood and how they are affecting you now. They will also determine if there are any other conditions that may explain your symptoms. For example, a sleep disorder, anxiety or depression.
It is important to remember that a lot of adults suffering from ADHD have a poor understanding of their childhood experiences, especially if they had an uneasy childhood. This can impact their ability to recognize the presence of ADHD symptoms in their lives today and sometimes it is essential for your doctor to speak with a significant other like your spouse or partner to gather more information about your childhood.
You can locate a healthcare specialist who specializes in ADHD evaluations by asking your primary health care provider for a referral, or consulting with the staff at a hospital affiliated with a university or calling a mental health clinic. You can also join a support group for people with ADHD and ask for suggestions.
Why do I need an ADHD assessment?
Before beginning any treatment, it's important to get a complete diagnosis if you suspect that you may have ADHD. It's not possible to diagnose ADHD by taking an online test or questionnaire. Only a healthcare professional can conduct an exhaustive assessment and come up with an accurate diagnosis. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause serious problems in the workplace, with relationships, and even with your health.
If your GP is aware that you think you might be suffering from ADHD, they will consider you a serious patient and will ask for specifics of your life and history. They may recommend an NHS screening test that consists of an interview with a psychiatrist as well as the completion of a variety of validated ADHD scales.
You will also be asked to fill out questionnaires with people who know you, such as your family members or close friends. This helps the healthcare professional get a more holistic picture of your behaviour and see how it affects others. A person with high IQ might have developed strategies to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. For example they may utilize technology to keep their appointments, but a spouse can tell if they're having difficulty remembering things.
A private healthcare professional will not be able to bend the rules just because you're paying for the assessment, and they must still adhere to National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines when conducting an assessment for ADHD. However, the process could be quicker than waiting for an appointment with the NHS.
An ADHD assessment will help you understand the root cause of your problems and how best to tackle these issues, while also getting you on the right track with medication. If you decide to commence treatment, you should get your GP sign a shared-care arrangement with your private doctor (so that you pay only for the NHS prescription fee) to keep track of your progress and give advice regarding any changes. This will ensure that you receive the most efficient and appropriate treatment for your particular requirements. If you're interested to get an ADHD assessment, talk to one of our brain and mind experts at an Priory health center or hospital today.
What is the outcome if I fail to receive an appointment?
ADHD symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and their manifestations can change over time. It is due to this that an accurate diagnosis, particularly for adults, is difficult to obtain, despite fact that a majority of GPs take their concerns seriously. It is also why certain people are more difficult than others to access NHS services. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long and it can sometimes take years for someone to get evaluated.
In the meantime, a person may not be able to find a job or relationships may be affected. Adults who aren't diagnosed are at a greater risk of serious problems like addiction and mood disorders. Adults who aren't diagnosed may suffer from extreme anxiety or sadness, and may be forced to accept their lives without the motivation and achievement they could have had when they were diagnosed and treated.
The good news is that if struggled to deal with your ADHD, it is possible to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. If you choose to see a private doctor for your assessment it is crucial to choose carefully. Do your research and request recommendations from your family and friends before making any decision. Check whether they have the right qualifications and credentials, as well as talk with previous clients or patients about their experiences.
A qualified specialist can employ a variety of tools to identify ADHD, including questionnaires, interviews medical examinations, behavioural observations. The main goal of the diagnosis is to rule out possible causes, like learning disabilities or emotional issues that are difficult to differentiate from ADHD.
In an ADHD assessment the specialist will talk to you, your spouse or family members to assess your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. They may also utilize an DSM-5 symptom checklist and other psychometric tests to gauge the severity of your symptoms. Stimulant medication improves ADHD symptoms in about 70% of adults and children, and it has been used to treat ADHD since 1937. It can be a very effective treatment because it can have an extremely positive effect on mood and it can help stabilize brain function.
How can I obtain a diagnosis of ADHD?
A healthcare professional will interview your child or you to determine the cause of ADHD. They will ask you or your child questions about their behavior in different settings like at school and at home. They may also use rating scales to help identify symptoms, like inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They'll also need to know whether your or your child's symptoms have existed since childhood and if they have affected daily functioning.
They'll also inquire whether the symptoms you or your child is experiencing are related to other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. Around 80% of people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring mental health problems It is therefore crucial to rule them out.
A private healthcare professional may also request your permission to speak with family members as well as teachers, friends as well as religious leaders, scout leaders or coaches. They'll need to know how your or your child's behavior affects them and their daily functioning and will be asked about any past history of trauma or abuse.
If they don't consider the diagnosis of ADHD to be appropriate medical professional will tell you why. It could be due to the fact that they don't consider the symptoms to be severe enough, or they are more easily explained by a different condition.
A recommendation get more info from your family physician is a great idea to get an ADHD assessment. If you do not have a family physician, you can ask your insurance company for recommendations or join a local mental support group.
Once you have made an appointment to have an ADHD assessment, make sure to bring any relevant medical, psychological or education or employment documents with you. The health care professional might request your complete family and social histories and will conduct a physical examination.
After the health professional has reviewed all the data they will be able to determine whether or whether your child or you has ADHD. They will then recommend treatments, like medication, if necessary. If you're planning to use the NHS prescription service for your medication, it's important to first check with them to determine if they accept a private diagnosis that is NHS-accredited of ADHD.