ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often seek ADHD tests because they feel that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales You have a right to be diagnosed with ADHD. Your specialist will follow NICE guidelines and may request observer reports from people who know you, particularly as you were a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
You or your child can determine whether they suffer from ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned by a licensed 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, such as checklists and scales for assessing behavior and interviewing people who know you well. They might also request your medical history as well as a physical examination to rule out other conditions like depression or anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It is essential to be honest and open in your evaluation. If you're not, the examiner may conclude that you're not serious about being diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. During the assessment you'll probably be asked about your family and personal history of mental health and any difficulties in school or work. You may be asked to fill out the completion of a questionnaire or an assessment of your behavior. You'll also have to be attentive during the examination.
You must show at least six signs of ADHD in two or more locations, such as school and home and they should interfere with your everyday life. The symptoms must have begun in childhood, before age 12, and they can't be explained by a different disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or opt to consult an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in ADHD.
If you decide to go the private route, you'll find that the wait time is significantly less than the NHS. It's not uncommon to wait for more than a whole year on the NHS, and that can be a huge blow to those who are struggling. Some of those on the NHS waiting list committed suicide due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment quickly. The majority of private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety disorders or depression.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you think you might be suffering from ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life caused by it, you will need to have an expert mental health 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 perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure of which therapist to choose, you could ask your doctor for a recommendation or another counselor you've worked with. You can also use the internet to find professionals in your area with a good reputation. Some insurance plans also provide lists of professional who are qualified.
The process of obtaining a clinical diagnosis will involve questions and a structured interview with the specialist. The focus of the interview will be your symptoms within a current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your history of symptoms as a child and adolescent however, they will also focus on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also look for any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and conditions, they might ask for information from your close family and friends. You might also be asked to bring old school papers or reports to be evaluated. This can be a difficult process as it is difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or your adolescence.
If you're part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process can be more difficult. In the UK, for example there is an underlying stigma against people of color gender non-conforming (GNCs) and females being diagnosed with ADHD, even if the symptoms are clear. This can make it harder to get a diagnosis, but it is possible for doctors to refer you a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital for an assessment. It is also possible to obtain a shared care agreement with your GP for medications, which can make the process a lot simpler, but not all GPs are willing to accept this.
How do I get an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your GP and he or she is the ideal person to refer you to an evaluation. Alternately, you can call an individual specialist like Priory and organise an appointment on your own. Priory's expert psychiatrists have years of experience diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and are able to offer an array of treatment options.
If your GP decides to refer you to a specialist, they'll ask you and a close family member or friend to complete some questionnaires before your appointment. These can be accessed through your portal dashboard and must be completed at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. These are designed to highlight behaviors that may indicate ADHD. Your GP will then arrange for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service.
If you live in a location that provides this service, the local mental health team usually provides it. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric examination, including looking at other conditions that could be similar to symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
It's important to mention any other mental health problems that you're suffering from or were previously diagnosed in your family, as these can also influence the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. You may also provide any feedback or reports from your teachers or supervisors as well as your colleagues. Additionally, you can provide details of any support that you receive at home, like through an GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
After the psychiatrist has completed your assessment, they will go over their findings with you. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will provide an action plan for treatment that may include prescriptions for medication. The care plan will provide any other support they think would be beneficial to you, such as providing you with information on talk therapies or coaching.
We understand that it may be difficult to access the assistance you require if your social or health medical needs are complex. That's why we offer a confidential, no-cost phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you determine what assistance might be available to you. This could include the referral to local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps in gaining control over symptoms that can create significant issues in a variety of settings, from home to work. An extensive interview with a professional with experience and a variety of psychometric tests is typically part of an evaluation. This information can help to determine how the symptoms affect the individual and whether they are the result of other medical conditions or issues.
A thorough assessment requires collecting detailed information about the person's background, especially when the symptoms began and the length of time they have been present. The specialist will also need to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, which includes school, work, and relationships. This will be determined by a definition of impairment which examines whether the individual has been fired because of their trouble with time management, experienced an excessive amount of conflict and stress in their marriage, or been put on academic probation due to poor grades.
adhd diagnosis in adults will be conducted by a skilled clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. Professionals may employ different materials and procedures, but certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive assessment. These include a detailed clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and other types of psychometric testing. In certain cases the specialist will administer a series of tests specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
If you're unsure of how to begin or are unsure of how to find the right health care specialist, it's best to ask your personal doctor or visit the local mental health clinic for suggestions. Many adult ADHD support groups are in a position to provide you with details about professionals who are qualified close to you. Some health insurance plans will provide an inventory of professionals who are qualified classified by area of expertise to help you find the most suitable professional for your evaluation.