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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 have concerns about their relationships or work.
According to current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you are legally entitled to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE Guidelines and may seek observer reports from people who know you, particularly as an infant.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Your child or you can determine if they have ADHD through an ADHD assessment. adhd adult diagnosis will be questioned by an accredited specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may use a number of techniques to determine your symptoms, including checklists and behavior rating scales, and interview those who know you well. They could also request an exam of your body and a medical history to rule out any other conditions that could mimic 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 a diagnosis or that your symptoms don’t seem like they’re that serious. During the evaluation you’ll probably be asked about your family and personal history of mental health and any issues at school or at work. You might be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire or an assessment of your behavior. You’ll also need to be attentive during the assessment.
You must exhibit at least six indicators of ADHD in two or more locations such as school and home and must be interfering with your daily routine. The symptoms must have begun in your early childhood, prior to the age of 12, and they can’t be explained by a disorder, such as depression or anxiety. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you may choose to see an independent psychiatrist that specializes in ADHD.
You’ll find that waiting times are much shorter if you choose to opt for private. It’s not uncommon for people to wait more than a year for an assessment on the NHS and it can be devastating for people who are struggling. A few people on the NHS waiting lists took their own lives due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private therapy typically allows you to begin treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have years of experience treating adults with ADHD. adhd adult diagnosis can also screen for and treat co-morbidities like anxiety or depression.
What is the reason I need an assessment?
If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD, or are experiencing issues in your everyday life that could be caused by it, you should seek an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. Ideally, this will be done by a psychiatrist that has experience in working with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD specifically. There are psychologists and psychotherapists who are able to perform this type of assessment. If you’re unsure of which one to pick the best option is to seek advice from your general practitioner or a therapist you have met. You can also search the internet for professionals near you with a good track record. Some insurance plans have lists of professionals who are certified.
The process of getting a complete clinical diagnosis will include questions and a formal interview with the specialist. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will ask you about the history of your symptoms as a child and adolescent, but will also concentrate on the impact that your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also look for other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances, they might ask for information about your family and friends. It is also not unusual 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 adolescence.
The process can be more difficult if you are an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for example people of color, GNCs, and females are still not diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are obvious. This can make it harder to be diagnosed but it is also possible for GPs to refer you to a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an evaluation. It is also possible to obtain an agreement for shared care with your GP for your medication, which could make the process easier, but not all GPs are willing to take this step.
How do I get an assessment?
Your GP is your primary health healthcare provider and is best placed to refer you for an assessment. You can also call an individual specialist, like Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory’s expert psychiatrics have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD in adults and can offer a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides to refer you to a specialist, they’ll ask you and a trusted family member or friend to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be accessed through your portal dashboard. They should be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviors that may be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to a commissioned adult ADHD service.
If you live in an area that offers this service, the local mental health service usually provides it. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric evaluation, including looking at other conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.
It is important to disclose any other mental health issues that you’re suffering from or have been diagnosed previously in your family, as they can impact your ability to be evaluated for ADHD. You may also bring any feedback or reports from your educational tutors, supervisors, and colleagues. Additionally, you should provide information about any help you receive at home, like through an GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
Once the psychiatrist has completed the assessment, they will go over their findings with you. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they’ll offer an action plan for treatment that could include recommendations for medication. The care plan will also outline any other supports that they believe would be beneficial to you, such as providing you with information on therapy sessions or coaching.
We recognise that it can be difficult to get the help you require when your health or social healthcare needs are complex. We provide a free, confidential call with an assistant psychologist to help you discover the available support. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an assessment of eligibility for government-funded programs like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
A correct diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can cause issues in a variety of settings, from the workplace to 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 what symptoms are affecting the person and whether they are the result of other conditions or medical issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering information on the person’s past, specifically when symptoms started and how long they’ve been present. The specialist will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the individual’s life in general, including school, work, and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that examines whether the individual has lost their job because of their difficulties with managing their time, suffered from extreme stress and conflict in their marriage or been placed on academic probation due to poor grades.
A trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to evaluate ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may use different materials and procedures, but certain protocols are essential to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a thorough clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and other types of psychometric tests. In certain cases, a specialist will administer a series of tests that are designed to test for ADHD and other conditions like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Asking your doctor for advice or contacting a local mental clinic can be helpful if you are unsure of where to start or have questions regarding the right health professional. Many adult ADHD support groups will be able to give you information on qualified professionals near you. Some health insurance plans list specialists with specializations and can assist you in finding an appropriate expert for your evaluation.