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ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often seek ADHD assessments because they feel that something isn't all right. They may be concerned about their relationships or work.
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 may ask for observers' reports from those who know you, particularly as a child.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is the first step towards finding out whether you or your child is suffering from this condition. You will be questioned and diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are qualified to diagnose ADHD. They may employ a variety of techniques to determine your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and also interview those who know you well. They might also request your medical history as well as an examination of your body to rule out other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest during your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator might think that you're not interested in getting diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't that bad. During the evaluation, you'll likely be asked to provide information about your mental health history and that of your family as well as any issues at school or at work. You might be required to fill out a questionnaire or complete a behavioral rating scale and you'll have be aware of the actions you're taking during your assessment.
You must display at least six indications of ADHD in two or more places such as school and home and they should interfere with your daily life. These symptoms must have manifested in the early years of your life before the age of 12, and are not attributed to other conditions, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred to your GP for treatment, or choose to see an independent psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD.
If you decide to go the private route, you'll find that the wait time is significantly less than the NHS. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait over one year. This can be a huge burden for those who are struggling. Some of those on the waiting list have committed suicide because they simply could not stand the frustration and anxiety of waiting for an evaluation. Private treatment allows you to begin treatment quickly. The majority of private psychiatrists are experienced in treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen for and treat co-morbidities, like anxiety or depression.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you suspect that you may have ADHD or are having problems in your life due to it, you'll require a professional mental health assessment. It is best done by a psychiatrist that has worked with neurodevelopmental conditions and ADHD specifically. There are psychologists and psychotherapists who can do this type of assessment. If you are unsure which one to choose it is best to seek advice from your physician or a therapist you have met. You can also search the web for professionals in your area with a good track record. Certain insurance plans offer lists of professional who are qualified.
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 the present work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your previous symptoms as an adolescent or child. The doctor will also focus on the impact of your symptoms in adulthood. They will also test for any other mental health issues 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 also not uncommon for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents to review. This can be a difficult process since it can be difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or the adolescence.
The process can be more difficult if you are an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for example the people of color, GNCs, and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are evident. It can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. However, your GP may refer you to a private doctor 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 medications, which can make the process a lot simpler, but not all GPs are willing to do this.
How can I get an assessment?
Your physician is your primary care provider and is best placed to refer you for an assessment. You can also call a private specialist, like Priory and make an appointment. Priory's expert psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can offer you a full range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred, they will ask you and a family member 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. They must be completed within 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviors that may be indicative of ADHD. Your GP will then arrange for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health team, in the event that you reside within the catchment area providing this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric evaluation and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
It is important to disclose any other mental health problems you may have, or that have been diagnosed previously in your family, since these can also impact your ability to be evaluated for ADHD. You may also include any reports or feedback from your teachers, supervisors, and colleagues. Additionally, you should give details of any assistance that you receive at home, like through a GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
The psychiatrist will discuss the results with you once they've completed the assessment. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will provide an action plan for treatment that may include medication recommendations. The care plan will also detail any other assistance they believe would be beneficial for you, such as the need to refer you to therapy sessions or coaching.
We understand that it may be difficult to access the assistance you require in the event that your health or social medical needs are complex. This is why we provide a confidential, no-cost phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you determine what assistance might be available to you. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your area, or an eligibility check for government funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during a test?
A correct diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause issues in a variety of situations ranging from the workplace to home. A typical evaluation consists of an in-depth interview conducted by a skilled professional and various forms of psychometric tests. This information can help to determine what symptoms are affecting the individual and whether they are a result of other conditions or medical issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information about the person's background, especially when symptoms first started and how long they have been present. The specialist will also need to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes school, work and relationships. This will be based upon a definition of impairment which considers if the person was fired due to their difficulty with time management or put on academic probation for poor grades.
An experienced psychiatrist or psychologist certified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. While adult diagnosis of adhd may vary in their methods and the materials they employ, certain protocols are considered essential to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a detailed interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In certain cases the specialist will administer a series of tests that are specifically designed to screen for ADHD symptoms as well as other conditions such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Consult your doctor or contacting a local mental clinic is a good idea if you aren't sure where to start or have questions regarding the right health professional. Many adult ADHD support groups will be in a position to provide you with information about qualified professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans offer an inventory of professionals who are qualified sorted by specialty to help you locate the most suitable expert for your assessment.