ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often seek ADHD assessments because they believe that something isn't just right. They may 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 will also request observer reports from people who know you, especially as a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
You or your child can find out if they have ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed by an approved specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They may also interview people who know your condition. They might also request your medical history and a physical examination to rule out other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that may be a symptom of ADHD.
It is essential to be honest and forthright in your evaluation. If you're not, the examiner may conclude that you're not committed to being diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to share information regarding your history of mental health and that of your family as well as any issues at school or at work. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire or to complete an assessment of your behavior. It is also important to be attentive during the assessment.
To get a diagnosis to be eligible for a diagnosis, you must exhibit at least six symptoms of ADHD that manifest in two or more settings such as school and home, and affect your daily life. These symptoms must have been present in the early years of your life before 12 years of age and are not attributed to other disorders, like anxiety or depression. You could be referred by your GP or an independent psychiatrist that specializes with ADHD for treatment.
You'll notice that waiting times are significantly shorter if you decide to opt for private. On the NHS, it's not unusual to wait over a year. This can be extremely stressful for those who are struggling. Some people who were on the waiting list for NHS took their own lives due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment immediately. The majority of private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen and treat co-morbidities, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD or are having problems in your life due to it, you will require a professional mental health assessment. Ideally, this will be done by a psychiatrist who has experience in working with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD specifically. There are psychologists and psychotherapists who are able to perform this type of assessment. If you're unsure of which therapy to pick, you can ask your physician for a recommendation or a therapy provider you've met. You can also search the internet for local professionals with a good track record. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of professionals who are certified.
A structured interview and questions will form part of the process for an accurate diagnosis. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will ask you about the history of your symptoms in your adolescent and childhood, but will also concentrate on the impact your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also test for any other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Based on the professional and circumstances, they will sometimes ask for information from your close family members and friends. It is also not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents for review. This can be a stressful part of the process, as it may be difficult to recall details about your struggles during your childhood or adolescence.
If you're part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process can be more challenging. In the UK for example the people of color, GNCs, and females are still 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 to conduct an assessment. You can also get an agreement on shared-care with your GP to simplify the process. However, not all GPs will be able to do this.
How can I get an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your doctor and they are the ideal person to refer you to an evaluation. You can also call a private specialist such as Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory's expert psychiatrics have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD in adults and provide a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred, they will request you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to complete a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. You can access these through your portal's dashboard. The questionnaires should be completed 24 hours prior to the consultation. These are designed to identify behaviors that may indicate ADHD. Your GP will then make arrangements for an onward referral to a commissioned 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 conduct a thorough mental health and psychiatric examination as well as examining other conditions that may be similar to symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
It is important to disclose any other mental health issues you may have, or that have been diagnosed previously in your family, because these could affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any feedback or reports from your educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues, as well as details of any support you're receiving at home (for example, through an GP service or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility).
After the psychiatrist has completed the evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they'll offer a care plan that may include suggestions for medication. The care plan will outline any other services they think you would benefit from, such as the recommendation to talk therapy or coaching.
We know that it can be difficult to receive the assistance you require when your health or social care needs are complicated. This is why we offer a free, confidential 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 an eligibility test for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during the course of a test?
A clear diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms, which can cause issues in a variety of settings - from the workplace to at home. A typical evaluation consists of a thorough interview conducted by an experienced professional and a variety of psychometric testing. The results can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect a person and if they are the result of medical conditions or other issues.
A thorough assessment requires gathering detailed information about the person's past, specifically when symptoms first started and how long they have been present. This Web page will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, including school, work, and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that considers whether the person has been fired because of their difficulties with time management, experienced an excessive amount of conflict and stress in their marriage, or been placed on academic probation for poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a seasoned psychiatrist or psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD tests. Although the professionals can differ slightly in the methods and the materials they employ Certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a detailed interview and standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances, a specialist will conduct a series of tests designed to detect ADHD and other conditions like learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
Asking your doctor for advice or calling a local clinic for mental health could be beneficial if are unsure where to begin or have questions regarding the right health care professional. Many support groups for adults with ADHD are also able to provide information about highly qualified professionals in your region. Some health insurance plans list specialists with specializations and can help you find the right specialist to conduct your assessment.