ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults are seeking an ADHD assessment because they believe something is not quite right. They may have concerns about their work or relationships.
Under current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have a legal right to an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE guidelines and may ask for observer reports from people who know you, particularly as a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
You or your child can find out whether they have ADHD through an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned by an accredited specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may use a number of methods to evaluate your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and also interview those who know you well. They could also request an exam of your body and a medical history to rule out any other conditions that could mimic ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
It is important to be honest during your evaluation. If you don't, the evaluator may think you aren't serious about being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't that bad. During the evaluation you'll likely be asked about your family and personal history of mental health and any problems at school or work. You may be asked to fill out the form or fill in an assessment scale for your behavioral health and you'll likely be asked to pay attention to what you're doing during your assessment.
You must exhibit at least six indicators of ADHD in two or more locations like school and at home and they should interfere with your daily routine. These symptoms must have developed in the early years of childhood, prior to age 12 and cannot be explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you may opt to consult an independent psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD.
You'll find that waiting times are significantly shorter if opting to go private. On the NHS, it's not unusual to wait for more than a year. This can be extremely stressful for those who are struggling. Some people who were on the NHS waiting lists took their own lives due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment allows you to begin treatment quickly. Most private psychiatrists are skilled in treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also screen 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 routine that could be related to it you should have an expert mental assessment. This will ideally be done by a specialist psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists are also able to do this type of evaluation. If you're unsure of which one to choose you can ask your general practitioner for a recommendation or a therapist you know. You can also use the internet to find specialists in your area that have an excellent reputation. Certain insurance plans also offer lists of professional who are qualified.
A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process for a complete clinical diagnosis. The primary focus will be on your symptoms in a current work, family and social context. The psychiatrist will inquire about your history of symptoms as a teenager and child and will then focus on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also determine if you have any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and circumstances, they may request information from your close family and friends. You might also be asked to bring old school papers or reports to be reviewed. This is a difficult part of the process as it may be difficult to recall details concerning your experiences in adolescence or childhood.
If you belong to an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming, the procedure can be more difficult. In the UK for example, people of color, GNCs, and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are obvious. It isn't always easy to get an accurate diagnosis. However, GPs may refer you to a private doctor such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre for an assessment. It is also possible to obtain an agreement for shared care with your GP for medications, which can make the process easier, however not all GPs are willing to accept this.
How can I get an assessment?
Your physician is your primary care provider and is best placed to refer you for an assessment. Alternatively, you can contact a private specialist like Priory and make an appointment yourself. Priory's psychiatric specialists have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD in adults and can offer a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred, they'll ask you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to complete a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard. They must be completed 24 hours prior to the consultation. They are designed to highlight behaviours that could indicate the presence of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for an appointment with an adult ADHD service.
If you reside in a region that offers this service, your local mental health service will usually conduct it. how to get diagnosed with adhd will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric examination and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
It is also important to be aware of any mental health issues you might have experienced or had in the past. These could impact your ability to be assessed for ADHD. You can also bring any feedback or reports from your tutors, supervisors, and colleagues. Additionally, you should provide details of any support that you receive at home, such as through an GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
The psychiatrist will share their findings with you after they have completed the assessment. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they'll offer an individual care plan that could include medication recommendations. The care plan will include any other assistance they believe you might be able to benefit from, for instance, the recommendation to talk therapy or coaching.
We recognise that it can be difficult to access the assistance you require when your health or social healthcare needs are complex. This is why we provide a free, confidential phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help determine what assistance might be available to you. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an eligibility check 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 situations ranging from the workplace to at home. A thorough interview conducted by a professional with experience and various psychometric tests are usually part of an evaluation. This information can be used to determine the extent to which the symptoms affect a person and whether or not they are the result of medical conditions or other issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information about the person's background, especially when symptoms started and how long they have been present. The specialist will also want to understand the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes school, work, and relationships. This will be based upon the definition of impairment that examines whether the person has been fired because of their difficulty with time management or placed on academic probation because of poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a skilled psychiatrist or psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. While the professionals may vary slightly in the methods and the materials they employ Certain protocols are essential for a thorough evaluation. They include a thorough clinical interview as well as standardized rating scales to assess ADHD and other types of psychometric tests. In some instances the specialist will administer a series of tests that are designed to test for ADHD and other conditions like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Consult your doctor or visiting a local mental health clinic could be beneficial if are unsure of where to start or have questions about the best health care professional. Many support groups for people with ADHD can also be in a position to offer information on highly qualified professionals in your region. Certain health insurance plans offer the names of qualified professionals classified by area of expertise to help you locate the right expert for your assessment.