ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults are seeking an ADHD assessment because they believe something isn't quite right. They might 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 doctor will follow NICE guidelines and may request observer reports from people who know you, especially as you were a child.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is the first step to knowing if you or your child suffer from this condition. You will be interviewed by a licensed specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals certified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may use a number of methods to assess your symptoms, including checklists and behavior rating scales and interviewing people who know you well. They may also ask for your medical history and an examination of your body to rule out conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that may be a symptom of ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest in your assessment. If you're not, the examiner may think you aren't interested in being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to provide information regarding your history of mental health and those of your family members, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be asked for the completion of a questionnaire or a behavioral scale. You'll also have to pay attention during the examination.
To be diagnosed adhd diagnostic must show at least six symptoms of ADHD that manifest in two or more settings such as school and home, and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have manifested in your childhood prior to 12 years of age and are not attributed to other disorders, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred to your GP to seek treatment, or you may opt to consult an independent psychiatrist that specializes in ADHD.
If you decide to take the private route, you'll likely discover that the wait is significantly shorter than the NHS. It's not uncommon to have to wait for more than a year on the NHS and it can be devastating for people who are struggling to cope. A few people on the NHS waiting lists took their own lives due to the stress and anxiety of waiting. The private route usually allows you to begin treatment fast, and many private psychiatrists have extensive experience in treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression.
What is the reason I need an assessment?
If you think you may have ADHD or you are experiencing problems in your daily life that could be related to it you should have an expert mental assessment. This is best done by an experienced psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists also conduct this kind of assessment. If you're not sure which therapist to choose you could ask your doctor to recommend a therapy provider you've met. You can also search the web for professionals in your area with good reputations. Some insurance plans have lists of professionals who are certified.
A structured interview and questions will form part of the process for a complete diagnosis. The focus will be on your symptoms within your current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your experiences with symptoms as a child and adolescent and will then focus on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also look for any other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances they may ask for details about your family members and friends. You may also be asked to bring old school papers or reports to be evaluated. This can be a difficult procedure as it can be difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or the adolescence.
The process is more difficult if you are a minority group and/or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance the people of color, GNCs and females aren't diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are evident. This makes it difficult to receive a diagnosis, but it is possible for GPs to refer you to a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital for an evaluation. You can also sign a shared-care agreement with your GP to simplify the process. However there are a few GPs who will do this.
How can I get an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your GP and he or she is the best person to refer you for an evaluation. Alternatively, you can contact an individual specialist like Priory and schedule an appointment yourself. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD for adults and provide 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 fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard and should be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviors that may suggest the presence of ADHD. Your GP will then make arrangements for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health service, assuming that you live within a catchment area currently offering this service. They will perform a comprehensive mental and psychiatric evaluation that includes a review of other conditions such as depression and anxiety that can sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms.
It's essential to note any other mental health issues that you're suffering from, or that have been previously diagnosed in your family, because these can also affect the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any reports or feedback from educational tutors, supervisors, and work colleagues as well as the specifics of any help you're receiving at home (for instance, through a GP service or non-profit organisation like EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will share the results with you once they've completed their evaluation. If they conclude that you have ADHD they'll give you an action plan for treatment that could include suggestions for medication. The care plan will outline any other supports that they believe would be beneficial to you, such as the need to refer you to talk therapies or coaching.
We understand that it may be difficult to receive the help you need if your social or health care needs are complex. That's why we offer a free, confidential call with an assistant psychologist to help discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your area or an eligibility test for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during the course of a test?
A correct diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause problems in a variety of situations ranging from the workplace to at home. A typical evaluation consists of a thorough interview conducted by an experienced professional, as well as various forms of psychometric tests. This information can be used to determine how symptoms affect a person and if they are caused by medical issues or other conditions.
A comprehensive assessment includes gathering specific information about the person's past, including the time when symptoms first started to manifest and how long they lasted. The specialist will also want to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, including school, work, and relationships. This will be determined by a definition of impairment that considers whether the person has been fired because of their difficulties with time management, suffered from extreme stress and conflict in their relationship or been put on academic probation due to poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a skilled psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is certified to conduct ADHD assessments. Professionals can use a variety of methods and materials, but certain protocols are required for a comprehensive assessment. This includes a thorough clinical interview, standardized rating scales for ADHD and other types of psychometric testing. In some instances, the specialist will give several tests that are specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
Consult your doctor or contacting a local mental clinic could be beneficial if aren't sure where to start or have questions about the right health care professional. Many adult ADHD support groups are in a position to provide you with information about qualified professionals near you. Some health insurance plans provide an inventory of professionals who are qualified that are sorted by specialization to help you locate the right specialist for your evaluation.