ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often seek ADHD tests because they feel that something isn't just right. They may be concerned about their relationships or work.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales You are entitled to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will adhere to NICE Guidelines and may request observer reports from other people who know you well, especially as a child.
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You or your child can find out if they have ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned by an approved specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals certified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may employ a variety of techniques to determine your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and interviewing those who know you well. They might also request your medical history and an examination of your body to rule out other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that may be a symptom of ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest during your evaluation. If you're not, the evaluator may conclude that you're not interested in being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. During the evaluation you'll likely be asked about your family and personal history of mental health, as well as any problems at school or work. You might be asked to fill out the completion of a questionnaire or an assessment of your behavior. You'll also need to be attentive during the examination.
You must display at least six signs of ADHD in two or more locations like school or at home and must be interfering with your daily life. These symptoms must have manifested in the early years of your life before the age of 12, and are not attributed to other disorders, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you could decide to consult an independent psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD.
If you decide to go the private route, you'll find that the wait time is significantly shorter than the NHS. It's not uncommon for people to wait for more than a whole year for an assessment on the NHS and that can be devastating for people who are struggling in the meantime. Some people on the waiting list have committed suicide because they couldn't bear the frustration and stress of waiting for an assessment. Private treatment lets you begin treatment quickly. Most private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you think you may have ADHD or are having problems in your life caused by it, you will require a professional mental health assessment. It is best done by a psychiatrist that has experience in working with neurodevelopmental issues and ADHD specifically. However, there are psychotherapists and psychologists who are able to conduct this kind of assessment. If you're not sure which one to go with the best option is to ask for recommendations from your physician or another therapist that you know. You can also search on the internet for local professionals with a good reputation. Certain insurance plans offer lists of professionals who are certified.
The process of a full diagnostic will include questions and a structured discussion with the doctor. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a current work, family and social context. The psychiatrist will inquire about the history of your symptoms in your adolescent and childhood and will then focus on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also check if you have any other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances, they might ask for details about your family members and friends. You may also be asked 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 details about your difficulties in childhood or adolescence.
The process can be more difficult if you're an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance, people of color, GNCs and females are still not diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are evident. It isn't easy to obtain a proper diagnosis. However, GPs can recommend you to a private specialist such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to get a shared-care agreement with your GP for medication which can make the process a lot easier, but not all GPs are willing to take this step.
How do I get an assessment?
Your GP is your primary health care provider and is best placed to refer you for an assessment. You can also call an individual specialist, such as Priory, and arrange an appointment. Priory's expert psychiatrists have many years of experience diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and are able to offer a full range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you need to be referred, they'll ask you and a friend 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 least 24 hours before the consultation. These are designed to identify behaviors that may indicate ADHD. Your doctor will arrange for the referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is typically handled by the local community mental health team, assuming that you live within a catchment area currently providing this service. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment as well as examining other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
It's important to mention any other mental health issues that you're suffering from or have been previously diagnosed in your family, as these could influence your ability to be assessed for ADHD. Also, you can provide any feedback or reports from your educational tutors supervisors, colleagues, and teachers. Additionally, you can provide details of any support you receive at home, such as through an GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
After the psychiatrist has completed the evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they will provide an action plan for treatment which may include medications recommendations. The care plan will outline any other services they think you could benefit from, such as a referral to counseling or talk therapy.
We recognize that it may be difficult to get the assistance you require when your health or social needs are complicated. We offer a confidential, no-cost call with an assistant psychology to help you find out the available support. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an eligibility check for government-funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during a test?
Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD is among the first steps towards gaining control over symptoms that can create significant issues in a variety of situations, from home to work. An extensive interview with an experienced professional and a variety of psychometric tests are usually part of an evaluation. This information can be used to determine the extent to which the symptoms affect a person and if they are caused by medical conditions or other issues.
A thorough assessment requires gathering detailed information about the person's past, specifically when the symptoms began and the length of time they have been present. The specialist will also want to know the effect 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 considers if the person has been fired because of their difficulty with time management or placed on academic probation for poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a seasoned clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who is qualified to perform ADHD tests. Although the professionals can differ somewhat in the procedures and the tools they employ Certain protocols are essential to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a thorough clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and other forms of psychometric testing. In some cases specialists will administer a series of tests designed to screen for ADHD and other conditions like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Asking your doctor for advice or contacting a local mental clinic is a good idea if you are unsure of where to start or have questions regarding the right health professional. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD will also be able to provide information about competent professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans provide the names of qualified professionals that are sorted by specialization to help you locate the best professional for your evaluation.