ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they believe something is not quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
According to current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you are legally entitled to an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will adhere to NICE Guidelines and may request reports from observer people who know you well, particularly as an infant.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Your child or you can find out whether they have ADHD by getting an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned by a licensed specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may employ checklists or behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They may also ask people who are familiar with your symptoms. They may also ask for your medical history and an examination of your body to rule out any conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It's crucial to be honest and candid during your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator might think that you're not serious about being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't that bad. During the assessment you will likely be asked to share information regarding your history of mental health and the history of your family members, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be required to fill out an assessment questionnaire or fill out an assessment of your behavior and you'll have to pay attention to what you're doing during your assessment.
To get a diagnosis, you must have at least six signs of ADHD that appear in more than one setting like home and school, and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have appeared in your childhood prior to 12 years of age and cannot be explained by other conditions, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred to your GP for treatment, or you could choose to see 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. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait for more than a year. This can be extremely stressful for those who are struggling. Some of those on the waiting list have even committed suicide because they simply could not bear the stress and anxiety of waiting for an evaluation. Private treatment lets you begin treatment quickly. Private psychiatrists are generally adept at 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 believe that you might have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life due to it, you'll need an expert mental health assessment. The ideal scenario is that this assessment will be done by a psychiatrist who has experience in working with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD specifically. Psychotherapists and psychologists are also able to conduct this kind of assessment. If you're not sure which one to choose, you could ask your doctor for a recommendation or a therapy provider you've met. You can also search on the web for professionals in your area with a good track record. Certain insurance plans offer lists of professional who are qualified.
The process of a full diagnostic will include questions and a structured discussion with the doctor. The primary focus of the consultation will be your symptoms in a current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your history of symptoms in your adolescent and childhood however, they will also focus on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also determine if you have any other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on the professional and conditions, they might seek information from close friends and family members. They may also ask you to bring old school papers or reports to be evaluated. This could be a stressful aspect of the process, since it can be difficult to remember specifics about your difficulties in adolescence or childhood.
If you're part of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK, for example there is still an underlying stigma against people of color GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD even when the symptoms are obvious. This can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis however, it is possible for doctors to refer you a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital for an assessment. You can also get an agreement for shared-care with your GP to make the process easier. However there are a few GPs who will be able to do this.
How do I get an assessment done?
Your GP is your primary health care provider and is best in referring you to an assessment. Alternately, you can call an individual specialist like Priory and make an appointment yourself. Priory's psychiatric specialists have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD in adults and can provide a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you need to be referred to a specialist, they will ask you and a family member or family member (if you have one) to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can be accessed via your portal dashboard and must be completed at a minimum of 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for an appointment with an adult ADHD service.
If you reside in an area that offers this service, the local mental health service typically conducts it. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
You should also mention any mental health issues that you might have or have experienced in the past. These can affect the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. It's also beneficial to bring along any feedback or reports from educational instructors, supervisors and colleagues and also details of any support you receive at home (for example, through an GP service or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will share their findings with you after they've completed the assessment. If they conclude that you have ADHD they will provide an action plan for treatment that could include medications recommendations. adult diagnosis of adhd may also provide any other support they feel would be helpful for you, like providing you with information on counseling or talk therapies.
We recognize that it may be difficult to access the assistance you require if your health or social care needs are complex. This is why we provide a confidential, no-cost 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 like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
A proper diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can create problems in a variety of settings, from the workplace to at home. A thorough interview conducted by an experienced professional and a variety of psychometric tests are usually part of an assessment. This information can help identify what symptoms are affecting the individual and whether they are caused by other conditions or medical issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering specific information about the person's past, including when symptoms first appeared and the length of time they lasted. The specialist will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes work, school, and relationships. This will be determined by a definition of impairment which will consider if the individual has been fired because of their inability to manage time or placed on academic probation because of poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by an experienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. Professionals can use a variety of techniques and materials, however certain protocols are required for a complete assessment. This includes a detailed interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances, the specialist will give a series of tests specifically designed to identify ADHD symptoms and other conditions, such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
If you're unsure of how to begin or have questions about finding the right health professional, it's often helpful to ask your personal doctor or contact a local mental health clinic for recommendations. Many adult ADHD support groups will be able to give you information about qualified professionals close to you. Certain health insurance plans include qualified professionals by specialty and can assist you in finding the right expert for your evaluation.