ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults are seeking an ADHD assessment because they feel that something isn't quite right. They might be worried about their work or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales, you are entitled to be diagnosed with ADHD. Your specialist will adhere to NICE guidelines and will also request observer reports from others who know you, particularly as you were a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is the first step to discovering if you or your child have this condition. You will be questioned and diagnosed by an accredited psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are qualified to diagnose ADHD. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales to assess your symptoms. They may also ask those who know you. They could also request a physical exam and medical history to rule out any other conditions that may be a precursor to ADHD such as depression or anxiety.
It is essential to be honest in your assessment. If you're not honest, the evaluator might think that you're not serious about getting an assessment or that your symptoms don't seem to be that severe. During the evaluation you'll likely be asked about your family and personal history of mental health, as well as any issues at school or at work. You may be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire or fill out an assessment scale for your behavioral health, and you'll probably have to be attentive to what you're doing during the assessment.
You must exhibit at least six signs of ADHD in two or more areas such as school and home and must be interfering with your daily life. These symptoms must have manifested in childhood before the age of 12, and are not attributed to other conditions, like depression or anxiety. You could be referred by your GP or an independent psychiatrist that specializes with ADHD for treatment.
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 for more than an entire year. This can be a huge burden for those who are struggling. Some people on the waiting list have even committed suicide because they simply could not stand the frustration and stress of waiting for an assessment. Private therapy typically allows you to begin treatment fast, and many private psychiatrists have years of experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you suspect that you may have ADHD or are having problems in your life due to it, you'll require an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. It is best done by a psychiatrist who has worked with neurodevelopmental issues and ADHD specifically. There are psychologists and psychotherapists that are able to perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure of which therapist to choose you could ask your doctor to recommend a therapy provider you've met. You can also search the internet for professionals near you with a good reputation. Certain insurance plans offer lists of qualified professionals.
The process of getting a complete clinical diagnosis will involve questions and a structured interview with the doctor. The primary focus of the consultation will be your symptoms within the current work, family and social context. 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 test for other mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.
Depending on the professional and conditions, they might ask for information from your close family and friends. It is also not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents to look over. This can be a stressful part of the process, since it may be difficult to remember specifics concerning your experiences in adolescence or childhood.
If you are part of the minority group or are gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK, for example there is still a prejudice against people of color GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD even though the symptoms are clear. It isn't always easy to get a proper diagnosis. However, GPs may recommend you to a private specialist like a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. You can also sign an agreement on shared-care with your GP to facilitate the process. However it is not the case for all GPs to do this.
How do I obtain an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your doctor and he or she is the ideal person to refer you for an assessment. Alternately, you can call an individual specialist like Priory and make an appointment yourself. Priory's highly trained psychiatrists have years of experience diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and are able to provide you with a full range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred, they'll 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 dashboard. The questionnaires should be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. These are designed to identify behaviors that may indicate ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to a commissioned adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health team, in the event that you are within a catchment area currently offering this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental and psychiatric evaluation, including a look at other conditions like anxiety and depression, which can sometimes be a symptom of ADHD symptoms.
It's essential to note any other mental health problems that you're suffering from, or that have been diagnosed previously in your family, because these can also impact the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. Also, how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult can provide any feedback or reports from your teachers or supervisors as well as your colleagues. Additionally, you should give details of any assistance you receive at home, such as through a GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
The psychiatrist will discuss the results with you once they have completed the assessment. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they'll offer a care plan that may include recommendations for medication. The care plan will include any other support they feel you might benefit from, such as the recommendation to counselling or talk therapy.
We understand that it can be difficult to access the support you require if your social or health care needs are complex. This is why we provide a confidential, no-cost call with an assistant psychologist to help find out what support might be available to you. This could include the 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 proper diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause difficulties in a variety settings, from the workplace to at home. A thorough interview 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 if they are a result of other conditions or medical issues.
A comprehensive assessment involves gathering information on the person's past, specifically when the symptoms began and how long they have been present. In addition to discussing the effects of ADHD symptoms, the doctor will want to know how the symptoms have affected their lives in general as well as in the most important settings like school, work and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that examines whether the individual has lost their job as a result of their trouble with managing their time, suffered from excessive conflict and distress in their relationship or been put on academic probation because of poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by an experienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is certified to conduct ADHD assessments. While professionals may differ somewhat in the procedures and materials they use, certain protocols are considered essential for a thorough evaluation. This includes a detailed interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In certain cases the doctor will conduct a series of tests specifically designed to identify ADHD symptoms as well as other conditions, such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
If you're not sure where to start or have questions about finding the right health care specialist, it's best to ask your personal doctor or contact the local mental health clinic for suggestions. Many adult ADHD support groups will be able to give you details about professionals who are qualified near you. Certain health insurance plans offer a list of qualified professionals that are sorted by specialization to help you find the best professional for your evaluation.