ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they feel that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their job or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales, you have a right to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and will also ask for observer reports from people who know you, particularly as an infant.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is the first step in finding out if you or your child have this condition. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK that are certified to diagnose ADHD. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They may also ask those who know your condition. They might also request your medical history as well as a physical examination to rule out other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest in your assessment. If you're not truthful, the examiner may conclude that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms don't seem to be that severe. During the evaluation you'll probably be asked about your family and personal mental health history and 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 likely be asked to pay attention to the actions you're taking during your assessment.
To be diagnosed you must show at least six symptoms of ADHD that manifest in two or more settings like home and school, and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have started in childhood, before age 12 and cannot be explained by a different disorder, like depression or anxiety. You could be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes with ADHD to receive treatment.
If you decide to go the private route, you'll discover that the wait is significantly less than the NHS. It's not uncommon to have to wait for more than a whole year for an assessment on the NHS, and that can be a huge blow to those who are struggling. Some of those on waiting lists have committed suicide because they could not bear the stress and anxiety of waiting for an evaluation. Private treatment usually allows you to begin treatment quickly, and most private psychiatrists have a lot of experience treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen and treat co-morbidities like depression or an anxiety disorder.
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 will need an expert mental health assessment. Ideally, this will be performed by a psychiatrist who has experience 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 therapy to pick, you can ask your general practitioner for a recommendation or another counselor you've worked with. You can also use the internet to find specialists in your area that have an excellent reputation. Some insurance plans also provide lists of professionals who are certified.
The process of a full diagnostic will include questions and a structured interview with the doctor. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will inquire about your past symptoms as a child or adolescent. He will also concentrate on the impact of your symptoms in adulthood. They will also test for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and circumstances, they may request information from your close family and friends. getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult is also not uncommon for them to request that you bring old school reports or other documents to review. This can be a stressful procedure as it can be difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or your adolescence.
The process is more difficult if you're an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for example the people of color, GNCs and females aren't diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are evident. This can make it harder to be diagnosed, but it is possible for doctors to refer you to a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. You can also get a shared-care agreement with your GP to make the process easier. However, not all GPs will do this.
How can I arrange for an assessment to be conducted?
Your doctor is your primary health healthcare provider and is best in referring you to an assessment. Alternately, you can call a private specialist like Priory and make an appointment yourself. 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'll ask you and a family member or family member (if you have one) to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard and must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. These are designed to identify behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your GP will then make arrangements for an onward referral to a commissioned adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health service, in the event that you are within a catchment area currently providing this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric evaluation as well as examining other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
Be sure to mention any mental health issues that you might have or have had in the past. These could impact your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It is also helpful to bring along any feedback or reports received from instructors, supervisors and colleagues as well as the specifics of any help you're receiving at home (for instance, through a GP service or a non-profit organization like EmployAbility).
Once the psychiatrist has completed their assessment, they will discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you have ADHD they will give you an action plan for treatment which may include prescriptions for medication. The care plan will include any other services they think you could be able to benefit from, for instance, an appointment with counselling or talk therapy.
We understand that it can be difficult to get the support you need in the event that your social or health healthcare needs are complex. We provide a free, confidential phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you find out what support is available. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an eligibility test for government-funded programs like Access to Work.
What happens during a test?
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps in gaining control over symptoms that can cause serious problems in a variety of settings, from the home to work. An evaluation usually includes an extensive interview conducted by a skilled professional and various forms of psychometric tests. This information can help to determine what symptoms are affecting the person and whether they are a result of other medical conditions or issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering specific information about the person's past, such as when symptoms first appeared and the length of time they last. The specialist will also need to understand the impact of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, including work, school and relationships. This will be determined by the definition of impairment, which examines whether the person has been dismissed due to their difficulties with time management or placed on academic probation for poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. While professionals may differ slightly in the methods and the materials they employ Certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a detailed interview and standardized scores for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some cases, a specialist will administer a series of tests designed to screen for ADHD and other disorders like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Asking your doctor for advice or calling a local clinic for mental health could be beneficial if are unsure where to begin or have questions regarding the right health professional. Many adult ADHD support groups are in a position to provide you with details about professionals who are qualified near you. Certain health insurance plans include specialists with specializations and can assist you in finding the right expert for your evaluation.