ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults frequently look for ADHD tests because they feel that something isn't just right. They may have concerns about their work or relationships.
Under current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have a legal right to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will adhere to NICE Guidelines and will request observer reports from other people who know you well, particularly as a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Getting an ADHD assessment is the first step to finding out if you or your child is suffering from this condition. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are able to diagnose ADHD. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales in order to determine your symptoms. They may also interview people who are familiar with you. They may also request a physical exam and medical history to rule out other conditions that could mimic ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
It's crucial to be honest and forthright during your assessment. If you're not honest, the evaluator might conclude that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms don't seem like they're that serious. During the evaluation, you'll likely be asked about your family and personal mental health history and any difficulties in school or work. You may be asked for a questionnaire or to complete a behavioral scale. You'll also need to pay attention to the test.
You must display at least six signs of ADHD in two or more areas, such as school or at home and must be interfering with your daily life. These symptoms must have started in your early childhood, prior to the age of 12, and they can't be explained by a different disorder, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you could choose to see an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in ADHD.
If you decide to go the private route, you'll likely find that the wait time is significantly less than the NHS. It's not uncommon for people to wait for more than a year for an assessment on the NHS, and that can be devastating for people who are struggling in the meantime. Some people who were on the NHS waiting lists committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment lets you start treatment as quickly as possible. Most private psychiatrists are experienced in treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to detect and treat co-morbidities like anxiety or depression.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you think you may have ADHD or are having problems in your life that are caused by it, you will need a professional mental health assessment. This is best done by a qualified psychiatrist who is well-versed in neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists also conduct this kind of assessment. If you're unsure of which one to go with the best option is to seek advice from your physician or another therapist you know. You can also search the internet for professionals near you with a good reputation. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of professionals who are certified.
The process of a full clinical diagnosis will include questions and a structured interview with the doctor. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a present work, family and social context. The psychiatrist will ask about your symptoms from when you were a child or adolescent. He will also focus on the impact of your symptoms in adulthood. They will also determine if you have any other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and circumstances, they may seek information from close friends and family members. They may also ask you to bring old school reports or documents to be reviewed. This is a difficult part of the process, since it can be difficult to recall details about your difficulties in adolescence or childhood.
If you're part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process may be more challenging. In the UK for instance, there is still discrimination against people of colour gender non-conforming (GNCs) and females being diagnosed with ADHD even though the symptoms are clear. This makes it difficult to be diagnosed however, it is possible for doctors to refer you to an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. You can also get a shared-care agreement with your GP to facilitate the process. However, not all GPs will take this step.
How do I have an assessment completed?
Your primary healthcare provider is your GP, and they are the ideal person to refer you for an evaluation. You can also call an individual specialist, like Priory, and arrange an appointment. Priory's psychiatric specialists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD for adults and provide a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred to a specialist, they will request you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to fill out some questionnaires prior to your appointment. You can access these through your portal dashboard. They must be completed 24 hours before the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviors that could be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will arrange for the referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health service, in the event that you reside within a catchment area that is currently offering this service. They will conduct a thorough mental health and psychiatric examination as well as examining other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.
You should also be aware of any mental health issues that you might have or have had in the past. These can affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any reports or feedback from your educational tutors, supervisors, and work colleagues as well as the details of any assistance you receive at home (for instance, through an GP service or non-profit organisation such as EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will share the results with you once they've completed the assessment. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will provide an action plan for treatment which may include medication recommendations. The care plan will detail any other assistance they think would be beneficial for you, such as signposting to talk therapies or coaching.
We recognise that it can be difficult to access the assistance you require when your health or social needs are complicated. This is why we provide a free, confidential call with an assistant psychologist to help you discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include the referral to local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
adhd uk diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause issues in a variety of settings - from the workplace to at home. An evaluation usually includes a thorough interview conducted by an experienced professional and various forms of psychometric testing. This information can help identify how the symptoms affect the individual and if they are a result of other conditions or medical issues.
A comprehensive assessment includes gathering detailed information on the person's previous experiences, including when symptoms first appeared and the time they last. The doctor will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, which includes school, work and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that will consider if the individual was fired due to their inability to manage time or put on academic probation because of poor grades.
A qualified psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to evaluate ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may employ different techniques and materials, however certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive assessment. This includes a thorough interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances the specialist will administer several tests that are specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
A consultation with your doctor or contacting a local mental clinic can be helpful if you aren't sure where to start or have any questions about the right health professional. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD can also be in a position to offer information on competent professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans have qualified professionals by specialty and can help you find the right expert for your evaluation.