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 job or relationships.
According to current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you are legally entitled to an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE Guidelines and will also request reports from observer people who know you well, particularly as a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is the first step to finding out if you or your child have this condition. You will be questioned by a licensed specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals certified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They can employ a variety of methods to assess your symptoms, such as checklists and scales for assessing behavior, and interview those who know you well. They could also request a physical exam and medical history to rule out any other illnesses that could be similar to ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
It is essential to be honest in your assessment. If you're not honest, the person evaluating you may conclude that you're not serious about obtaining an assessment or that your symptoms don't seem to be that severe. During the assessment you will likely be asked to share information about your personal history with mental health and that of your family, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire or complete an assessment of your behavior and you'll have be aware of what you're doing during the assessment.
You must exhibit at least six indications of ADHD in two or more places, such as school and at home and must be interfering with your everyday life. These symptoms must have appeared in the early years of your life before the age of 12, and cannot be explained by other conditions, like anxiety or depression. You may be referred to your GP to seek treatment, or choose to see an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in ADHD.
The waiting times are much shorter if opting to opt for private. On the NHS, it's not unusual to wait over an entire year. This can be devastating for those who are struggling. Some of those on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide as a result of the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment immediately. Most private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to screen for and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD or you are experiencing problems in your daily life that could be caused by it, you should undergo an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. Ideally, this will be done by a psychiatrist who has experience in working with neurodevelopmental issues and ADHD specifically. There are psychotherapists and psychologists who are able to conduct this kind of assessment. If you're unsure of which one to choose you can ask your physician for a recommendation or another therapist you know. You can also search the internet for local professionals with good reputations. Certain insurance plans offer lists of qualified professionals.
A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process for a complete diagnosis. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms within the current work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask you about your experiences with symptoms as a child and adolescent and will then focus on the impact your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also check if you have any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and the circumstances, they will sometimes request information from your close family members and friends. It is not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents for review. This can be a difficult procedure as it can be difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or your adolescence.
The process is more difficult if you are a minority group and/or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance people of color, GNCs and females aren't diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are evident. It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis. However, GPs may refer you to a private doctor such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre for an assessment. You can also sign a shared-care agreement with your GP to facilitate the process. However, not all GPs will be able to do this.
How can I get an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your doctor and they are the best person to refer you to an assessment. You can also call an individual specialist, such as Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults and provide a variety 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. They should be completed at least 24 hours before the consultation. They are designed to identify behaviors that may indicate the presence of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for the referral to an adult ADHD service.
If you live in a location that provides this service, the local mental health team will usually conduct it. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric evaluation and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes be similar to symptoms of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
It is important to disclose any other mental health problems you may have or were previously diagnosed in your family, since they can affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring along any reports or feedback from instructors, supervisors and colleagues and also specifics of any help you're receiving at home (for example, a GP service or a non-profit organization like EmployAbility).
After the psychiatrist has completed their assessment, they will go over their findings with you. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will give you an outline of treatment that may include medication recommendations. The care plan will outline any other services they think you would be able to benefit from, for instance, the recommendation to counselling or talk therapy.
We understand that it can be difficult to obtain the support you need if your health or social care needs are complex. This is why we provide an anonymous, free phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help find out what support might 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 a test?
A correct diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in controlling symptoms, which can create issues in a variety of situations ranging from the workplace to at home. An evaluation typically includes an extensive interview conducted by a knowledgeable professional, as well as various forms of psychometric testing. This information can help to determine the underlying causes of the symptoms for the individual and if they are a result of other medical conditions or issues.
adult diagnosis adhd includes collecting detailed information about the person's previous experiences, including the time when symptoms first started to manifest and the time they were in effect. The specialist will also want to understand the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, including school, work, and relationships. This will be determined by the definition of impairment that examines whether the person was fired due to their difficulties with time management or placed on academic probation for poor grades.
An experienced clinical psychologist or psychiatrist qualified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may use different methods and materials, but certain protocols are required for a comprehensive assessment. This includes a detailed interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some cases the specialist will administer a series of tests that are designed to test for ADHD and other conditions like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
If you're not sure where to start or have questions about finding the right health specialist, it's best to ask your personal doctor or visit an area mental health clinic for recommendations. Many adult ADHD support groups are capable of providing you with details about professionals who are qualified close to you. Some health insurance plans have specialists with specializations and can assist you in finding the right expert for your evaluation.