ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults are seeking an ADHD assessment because they believe something is not quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales, you are entitled to a diagnosis of ADHD. Your specialist will follow NICE guidelines and may request observer reports from people who know you, especially as an infant.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Getting an ADHD assessment is the first step towards knowing if you or your child is suffering from this condition. You will be interviewed by an approved specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales in order to determine your symptoms. They might also interview those who know you. They could also request an examination of your body and medical history to rule out any other conditions that could mimic ADHD like anxiety or depression.
It is crucial to be honest during your evaluation. If you're not, the examiner may think you aren't serious about getting diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. During adhd in adults diagnosis will likely be asked to provide details about your mental health history and the history of your family members as well as any issues at school or at work. You might be required to fill out an assessment questionnaire or fill out a behavioral rating scale, and you'll probably have to be attentive to what you're doing during your assessment.
To qualify for a diagnosis to be eligible for a diagnosis, you must exhibit at least six symptoms of ADHD that are present in two or more settings like home and school, and disrupt your life. The symptoms must have begun in the early years of childhood, prior to age 12, and they can't be explained by another disorder, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes with ADHD for treatment.
The waiting times are significantly shorter if you choose to go private. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait for more than a year. This can be devastating for those who are struggling. A few people on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment immediately. Most private psychiatrists are adept at 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 think you may have ADHD or are having problems in your life caused by it, you will need an expert mental health assessment. It is best done by a psychiatrist who has worked with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD specifically. Psychotherapists and psychologists can also perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure which one to choose, you could ask your doctor to recommend a therapist you know. You can also search on the web for professionals in your area with a good track record. Certain insurance plans also offer lists of qualified professionals.
The process of a full clinical diagnosis will include questions and a structured discussion with the specialist. The main focus will be on your symptoms within your current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask about your past symptoms as an adolescent or child. The doctor will also focus on the impact of your symptoms in adulthood. They will also check for other mental health problems like depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances, they may request details about your family members and friends. It is also not uncommon for them to request that you 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 your adolescence.
The process can be more difficult if you're or belong to a minority group or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance there is a prejudice against people of colour GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD even when the symptoms are clear. 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 get an agreement for shared care with your GP for your medication, which could make the process a lot easier, however not all GPs are willing accept this.
How can I get an assessment done?
Your primary healthcare provider is your doctor and he or she is the ideal person to refer you to an evaluation. You can also call a private specialist, like Priory and make an appointment. Priory's psychiatrists are experts with years of experience diagnosing people with ADHD and are able to provide you with a full range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you need to be referred to a specialist, they will ask you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to fill out some questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal's dashboard. They should be completed 24 hours before the appointment. These are designed to identify the behaviors that could indicate ADHD. Your doctor will make the referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is typically handled by the local community mental health team, in the event that you reside within a catchment area currently providing this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment, including looking at other conditions that could be similar to symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
It's important to mention any other mental health issues that you're suffering from or were previously diagnosed in your family, because these could affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. You can also provide any feedback or reports from your tutors supervisors, colleagues, and teachers. Additionally, you can provide information about any help that you receive at home, for example through a GP or non-profit organization like EmployAbility.
The psychiatrist will share the results with you once they've completed the assessment. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD, they'll provide an action plan for treatment that could include medication recommendations. The care plan will include any other assistance they believe you could appreciate, for example, an appointment with counselling or talk therapy.
We recognise that it can be difficult to get the support you need in the event that your social or health healthcare needs are complex. adhd diagnosis in adult is why we provide a confidential, no-cost call with an assistant psychologist to help determine what assistance might be available to you. This could include an introduction to a local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
A proper diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in controlling symptoms, which can create issues in a variety of settings, from the workplace to home. A thorough interview by a professional with experience and a variety of psychometric tests are usually part of an evaluation. This information will help determine how the symptoms affect the person and whether they are a result of medical or other conditions.
A thorough assessment involves collecting detailed information about the person's past, such as the date when symptoms first began to manifest and the time they were in effect. The specialist will also need to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes work, school, and relationships. This will be dependent on the definition of impairment that considers whether the person has lost their job as a result of their difficulties with time management, suffered from an excessive amount of conflict and stress in their relationship or been placed on academic probation for poor grades.
An experienced clinical psychologist or psychiatrist qualified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. While the professionals may vary in their methods and the tools they employ, certain protocols are considered essential for a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a thorough clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and various other types of psychometric testing. In some instances the specialist will administer a series tests designed to detect ADHD and other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
Asking your doctor for advice or calling a local clinic for mental health could be beneficial if aren't sure where to start or have questions regarding the right health care professional. Many adult ADHD support groups will be capable of providing you with details about professionals who are qualified in your area. Some health insurance plans list specialists with specializations and can help you find the right specialist to conduct your assessment.