ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they feel something is not quite right. They may have concerns about their work or relationships.
Under current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you are legally entitled to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and will also request observer reports from others who know you, particularly as a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Achieving an ADHD assessment is the first step to discovering whether you or your child is suffering from this condition. You will be interviewed by an accredited specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals certified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They may also ask those who know your condition. 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 can mimic ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest in your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator may conclude that you're not committed to being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. During the assessment you'll probably be asked about your family and personal mental health history and any problems at school or work. You might be asked to fill out a questionnaire or to complete an assessment of your behavior. You'll also need to pay attention to the test.
adhd diagnosis adult must show at least six indicators of ADHD in two or more places, such as school and at home and must be interfering with your daily life. These symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood, prior to age 12 and cannot be explained by a different disorder, like depression or anxiety. You could be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you may decide to consult an independent psychiatrist that specializes in ADHD.
If you decide to take the private route, you'll likely find that the wait time is significantly less than the NHS. It's not uncommon for people to wait more than a year on the NHS and that can be a huge blow to those who are struggling to cope. Some people who were on the NHS waiting lists committed suicide due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment typically allows you to begin treatment fast, and many private psychiatrists have a lot of experience treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to screen and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety disorders or depression.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you believe that you may have ADHD or are experiencing issues in your life caused by it, you'll need to have an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. It is best done by a psychiatrist who has worked 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 go with the best option is to seek recommendations from your general practitioner or another therapist you are familiar with. You can also search the internet to find specialists in your area that have an excellent reputation. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of qualified professionals.
A structured interview and questions will be part of the process for a complete clinical diagnosis. The primary focus will be on your symptoms within your current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your experiences with symptoms as a child and adolescent however, they will also focus on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also check whether you have any other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on who you are and the circumstances they may ask for details about your family and friends. You might also be asked to bring old school reports or documents to be examined. 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 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 and females being diagnosed with ADHD, even if the symptoms are obvious. This can make it harder to receive a diagnosis however, it is possible for doctors to refer you a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. You can also sign a shared-care agreement with your GP to make the process easier. However, not all GPs will take this step.
How do I have an assessment completed?
Your doctor is your primary health care provider and is the best in the position to refer you to an assessment. You can also contact a private specialist, like Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory's expert psychiatrics have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD in adults and offer a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should 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. They can be accessed through your portal's dashboard. They should be completed within 24 hours before the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviours that could suggest the presence of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for a referral to an adult ADHD service.
If you live in a location that provides this service, the local mental health team typically conducts it. They will conduct a comprehensive mental and psychiatric assessment, including a look at other conditions such as anxiety and depression that may sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms.
Be sure to be aware of any mental health issues you may have or have had in the past. These could affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. Also, you can provide any feedback or reports from your educational tutors or supervisors as well as your colleagues. Also, you can provide information about any help you receive at home, such as through your GP or non-profit organization like EmployAbility.
The psychiatrist will share the results with you once they've completed their evaluation. If they decide that you have ADHD they will provide an outline of treatment that may include medication recommendations. The care plan will also provide any other support they believe would be beneficial for you, such as providing you with information on therapy sessions or coaching.
We understand that it can be challenging to get the support you require when your health or social medical needs are complex. This is why we provide an anonymous, free call with an assistant psychologist to help you discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your area, or an eligibility test for government-funded programs like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps in gaining control over the symptoms that can cause significant problems in many settings, from home to work. A thorough interview by a professional with experience and a variety of psychometric tests are usually part of an evaluation. This information can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect an individual and whether or not they are caused by medical issues or other conditions.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information on the person's previous experiences, including the date when symptoms first began to manifest and the time they last. The specialist will also want to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes school, work, and relationships. This will be based upon the definition of impairment, which examines whether the person has been fired because of their difficulties with time management or placed on academic probation because of poor grades.
A trained psychiatrist or psychologist certified to evaluate ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may use different methods and materials, but certain protocols are necessary for a comprehensive assessment. This includes a detailed interview and standardized scores for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances the specialist will administer a series tests designed to detect ADHD and other disorders like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
Asking your doctor for advice or visiting a local mental health clinic can be helpful if you are unsure of where to start or have questions regarding the right health professional. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD can also be able to provide information about competent professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans include qualified professionals by specialty and can assist you in finding the right specialist for your evaluation.