ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults frequently seek ADHD assessments because they feel that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their relationships or work.
Under current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have a legal right to an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will adhere to NICE guidelines and will also request observers' reports from those who know you, specifically as an infant.
What is ADHD assessment?
You or your child can determine whether they have ADHD by getting an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by an accredited psychiatrist or psychologist. 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 might also interview people who know your symptoms. They could also request an examination of your body 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 during your assessment. If you're not honest, the evaluator might think that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms don't seem that severe. During the assessment you'll probably be asked about your family and personal mental health history and any issues at school or at work. You might be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire or fill out a behavioral rating scale and you'll have to pay attention to what you're doing during the assessment.
To be diagnosed, you must have at least six signs of ADHD that appear in more than one place like school and home and affect your daily life. These symptoms must have manifested in your childhood prior to the age of 12 and cannot be explained by other conditions, like anxiety or depression. You could be referred by your GP or an independent psychiatrist that specializes with ADHD for treatment.
If you decide to take the private route, you'll find that the wait time is significantly shorter than the NHS. It's not uncommon to wait for more than a whole year on the NHS and it can be a huge blow to those who are struggling. Some of those on the NHS waiting lists committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment typically allows you to begin treatment fast, and many private psychiatrists have years of experience treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to detect and treat co-morbidities, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you believe that you might be suffering from ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life that are caused by it, you will require a professional mental health assessment. This will ideally be done by an experienced psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists also perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure which one to go with, it is often best to ask for recommendations from your physician or another therapist that you have met. You can also use the internet to find professionals in your area with a good reputation. Some insurance plans provide lists of qualified professionals.
The process of getting a complete diagnostic will include questions and a structured discussion with the doctor. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms within your present work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask you about your history of symptoms as a child and adolescent however, they will also focus on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also test for other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on the professional and the circumstances, they may request information from your close family members and friends. It is also not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents for review. This can be a stressful part of the process, as it may be difficult to remember specifics about your struggles during your childhood or adolescence.
If you're part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process may be more challenging. In the UK for instance, people of color, GNCs, and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are obvious. This can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, but it is possible for doctors to refer you to an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an evaluation. More Support is also possible to obtain a shared-care agreement with your GP for medications, which can make the process simpler, but not all GPs will do this.
How do I get an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your GP, and they are the ideal person to refer you to an evaluation. Alternatively, you can contact an individual specialist like Priory and schedule an appointment for yourself. Priory's expert psychiatrics have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD for adults and offer a 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 some questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can be accessed through your portal dashboard. They should be completed within 24 hours before the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviors that may be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will make the referral to an adult ADHD service.
It is usually provided by the local community mental health service, in the event that you reside within a catchment area that is currently providing this service. They will conduct a thorough mental health and psychiatric examination, including looking at other conditions that can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
You should also mention any mental health issues that you might have or have experienced in the past. These can affect your ability to get assessed for ADHD. You may also provide any feedback or reports from your educational tutors supervisors, colleagues, and teachers. Additionally, you can give details of any assistance that you receive at home, such as through your GP or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility.
After the psychiatrist has completed your evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you have ADHD they will provide an action plan for treatment which may include medication recommendations. The care plan will detail any other assistance they believe would be beneficial for you, like the need to refer you to talk therapies or coaching.
We understand that it may be difficult to receive the support you require if your social or health medical needs are complex. We provide a free, confidential call with an assistant psychologist to help you find out what support is available. This could include a referral to a local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during an exam?
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps in gaining control over the symptoms that could create significant issues in a variety of settings, from home to work. An evaluation typically includes an extensive interview conducted by a skilled professional, as well as various forms of psychometric tests. This information can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect an individual and whether or not they are the result of medical conditions or any other causes.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information about the person's background, especially when symptoms started and the length of time they have been present. In addition to analyzing the impact of ADHD symptoms, the professional will want to know how the symptoms have impacted their life in general and in the most important settings like school, work and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that considers whether the person has been fired because of their difficulty with time management, suffered from extreme stress and conflict in their marriage, or been put on academic probation because of poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a skilled psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. Professionals can use a variety of materials and procedures, but certain protocols are essential to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a detailed interview and standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some cases the specialist will administer a series of tests specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions, such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
Consult your doctor or visiting a local mental health clinic is a good idea if you aren't sure where to start or have questions regarding the right health care professional. Many support groups for adults with ADHD can also be capable of providing information about competent professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans have qualified professionals by specialty and can help you find an appropriate expert for your evaluation.