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. More may have concerns about their relationships or work.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales you have a right to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE Guidelines and will request observer reports from other people who know you well, especially as you were a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Your child or you can determine whether they have ADHD through an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are able to diagnose ADHD. They can employ a variety of methods to evaluate your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and also interview people who are familiar with you. They could also request your medical history as well as a physical examination to rule out conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It's important to be honest and candid when you're evaluating. If you're not honest, the evaluator 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 to provide details about your mental health history and those of your family members as well as any issues at school or at work. You might be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire or fill out a behavioral rating scale, and you'll probably have to pay attention to what you're doing during the assessment.
To be diagnosed you must show at least six signs of ADHD that appear in two or more settings like school and home and affect your daily life. adhd diagnosis uk must have started in childhood, before age 12, and they can't be explained by a disorder, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes in treating ADHD to receive treatment.
If you decide to go the private route, you'll find that the wait time is much shorter than on the NHS. It's not uncommon to wait for more than a year for an assessment on the NHS and it could be a major blow for those who are struggling to cope. Some of those on the waiting list have committed suicide because they couldn't bear the frustration and stress of waiting for an evaluation. Private therapy usually allows you to start treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have a lot of experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also screen and treat co-morbidities like anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you believe that you might have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life due to it, you'll require a professional mental health assessment. This should be conducted by a specialist psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. However, there are also psychologists and psychotherapists that are able to conduct this kind of assessment. If you are unsure which one to go with the best option is to seek recommendations from your doctor or a therapist you know. You can also use the internet to locate specialists in your area that have an excellent reputation. Some insurance plans provide lists of professional who are qualified.
A structured interview and questions will be part of the process for an accurate diagnosis. The focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a current work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms from when you were a child or adolescent. The doctor will also focus on the effects of your symptoms into adulthood. They will also check for any other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Depending on the professional and the conditions, they might request information from your close family and friends. You may also be asked to bring old school reports or documents to be evaluated. This could be a stressful aspect of the process as it is difficult to recall details about your struggles in childhood or adolescence.
The process is more difficult if you are or belong to a minority group or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK, for example, there is still a prejudice against people of colour GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD, even if the symptoms are clear. This makes it difficult to get a diagnosis however, it is possible for GPs to refer you to a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. You can also get a shared-care agreement with your GP to make the process easier. However it is not the case for all GPs to take this step.
How can I get an assessment?
Your doctor is your primary health care provider and is best in referring you to an assessment. You can also contact a private specialist such as Priory and organise an appointment yourself. Priory's psychiatrists are experts with many years of experience diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and are able to offer a full range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you need to be referred, they will 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's dashboard. They must be completed within 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will arrange for an appointment with an adult ADHD service.
If you reside in an area that offers this service, your local mental health service will usually conduct it. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric examination as well as examining other conditions that can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
It's important to mention any other mental health issues that you have, or that have been previously diagnosed in your family, as these can also impact the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any reports or feedback from your educational instructors, supervisors and colleagues and also details of any support you receive at home (for example, through a GP service or a non-profit organization like EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will discuss their findings with your after they've completed their assessment. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they'll give you an individual care plan that could include recommendations for medication. The care plan will outline any other support they feel you could appreciate, for example, a referral to counseling or talk therapy.
We recognise that it can be difficult to access the assistance you require when your health or social care needs are complex. We offer a confidential, free phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you determine what support is available. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your area or an assessment of eligibility for government-funded programs such as Access to Work.
What happens during a test?
A correct diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can create issues in a variety of situations ranging from the workplace to home. An evaluation usually includes an extensive interview conducted by a skilled professional and a variety of psychometric tests. The results can be used to determine how the symptoms affect a person and whether or not they are caused by medical conditions or other issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information about the person's background, especially when the symptoms began and how long they've been present. The specialist will also need to understand the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, including work, school, and relationships. This will be dependent on a definition of impairment that will consider whether the person has lost their job because of their trouble with time management, experienced excessive conflict and distress in their relationship or been placed on academic probation due to poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by an experienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD tests. Professionals may employ different methods and materials, 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 some instances the specialist will administer an array of tests that are specifically designed to identify ADHD symptoms as well as other conditions, such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
If you're unsure of where to start or are unsure of how to find the right health professional, it's usually best to ask your personal doctor or visit a local mental health clinic for recommendations. Many support groups for adults with ADHD are also capable of providing information about competent professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans offer the names of qualified professionals classified by area of expertise to help you find the right expert for your assessment.