ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often look for ADHD assessments because they feel that something isn't all right. They might be worried about their job or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales you have a right to be diagnosed with ADHD. Your specialist will adhere to NICE guidelines and will also request observer reports from others who know you, specifically as an infant.
What is ADHD assessment?
You or your child can find out whether they suffer from ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed by an accredited specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They can employ a variety of techniques to determine your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and also interview people who know you well. They may also request an exam of your body and a medical history to rule out any other illnesses that could be similar to ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
It's important to be honest and candid in your evaluation. If you're not, the evaluator may conclude that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. During the assessment you will likely be asked to share information about your mental health history and the history of your family members as well as any issues at school or at work. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire or complete an assessment scale for your behavioral health and you'll have to pay attention to the actions you're taking during your assessment.
To get a diagnosis, you must have at least six signs of ADHD that appear in two or more settings like home and school, and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have appeared in your childhood prior to 12 years of age and are not attributed to other disorders, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred back to your GP to seek treatment, or you may choose to see an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in ADHD.
You'll notice that waiting times are shorter if you decide to opt for private. 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 in the meantime. Some of those on the waiting list have even committed suicide due to the fact that they could not bear the stress and stress of waiting for an assessment. Private treatment lets you start treatment as quickly as possible. Private psychiatrists are generally adept at treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to screen and treat co-morbidities such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you think you may have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life due to it, you will need an expert mental health assessment. This is best done by an experienced psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists can also conduct this kind of assessment. If you're not sure which one to choose you can ask your physician for a recommendation or another counselor you've worked with. You can also search on the internet for local professionals with a good track record. Certain insurance plans also offer lists of qualified professionals.
A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process to determine an accurate diagnosis. The focus will be on your symptoms within a current work, family and social context. The psychiatrist will inquire about your experiences with symptoms in your adolescent and childhood, but will also concentrate on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also test for other mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.
Based on the professional and circumstances, they may ask for information from your close friends and family members. It is not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents to review. This can be a stressful part of the process as it may be difficult to recall details concerning your experiences in childhood or adolescence.
If you are part of the minority group or are gender non-conforming, the process can be more difficult. In the UK for instance, people of color, GNCs and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are obvious. It can be difficult to get a proper diagnosis. However, GPs may refer you to a private specialist such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to obtain an agreement for shared care with your GP for medication which can make the process easier, however not all GPs are willing do this.
How do I have an assessment completed?
Your GP is your primary health care provider and is the best in the position to refer you to an assessment. Alternatively, you can contact a private specialist such as Priory and schedule an appointment for yourself. Priory's highly trained psychiatrists have years of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and are able to offer the 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 fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. You can access these through your portal's dashboard. They should be completed within 24 hours prior to the consultation. They are designed to highlight the behaviors that could indicate ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service.
If adhd diagnosis adults live in a location that provides this service, your local mental health team typically conducts it. They will conduct a thorough mental health and psychiatric evaluation, including looking at other conditions that may mimic the symptoms of ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
It's essential to note any other mental health issues that you're suffering from, or that have been diagnosed previously in your family, since they can influence your ability to be evaluated for ADHD. It is also helpful to bring along any feedback or reports received from educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues, as well as details of any assistance you receive at home (for example, through a GP service or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will share the results with you once they have completed the assessment. If they determine that you have ADHD they'll give you an individual care plan that could include medication recommendations. The care plan will include any other services they think you could benefit from, such as the recommendation to talk therapy or coaching.
We recognise that it can be difficult to access the support you need when your health or social care needs are complex. We offer a confidential, no-cost phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you determine the support available. This could include a referral to a local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded programs like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD is among the first steps in gaining control over symptoms that can cause serious problems in a variety of settings, from home to work. An extensive interview with an experienced professional and a variety of psychometric tests are typically part of an evaluation. The results can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect an individual and if they are the result of medical conditions or other issues.
A comprehensive assessment includes collecting detailed information about the person's past, including the time when symptoms first started to manifest and the time they lasted. The doctor will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes school, work and relationships. This will be determined by a definition of impairment which examines whether the person has been fired because of their difficulty with time management or placed on academic probation because of poor grades.
A qualified psychiatrist or psychologist certified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may use different materials and procedures, but certain protocols are necessary for a comprehensive assessment. These include a detailed clinical interview, standardized rating scales for ADHD and other types of psychometric tests. In some instances the specialist will conduct a series of tests designed to detect ADHD and other conditions like learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
If you're not sure where to start or have questions about finding the right health care professional, it's often helpful to speak with your physician or contact an area mental health clinic for recommendations. Many adult ADHD support groups will be capable of providing you with information about qualified professionals close to you. Some health insurance plans list qualified professionals by specialty and can help you find the right specialist for your evaluation.