ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they feel something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their job or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales you have a right to be diagnosed with ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE Guidelines and will also request reports from observer people who know you, particularly as an infant.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Achieving an ADHD assessment is the first step towards knowing whether you or your child suffer from this condition. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by an accredited psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are able to diagnose ADHD. They can use checklists and behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They might also interview people who are familiar with your condition. They could also request your medical history and a physical examination to rule out any conditions like depression or anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It's crucial to be honest and open in your evaluation. If you're not, the evaluator might think that you're not interested in getting diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. During the evaluation, you'll likely be asked to share information about your personal history with mental health and that of your family as well as any issues at school or at work. You may be asked for an assessment questionnaire or an assessment of your behavior. It is also important to be attentive during the examination.
You must exhibit at least six indicators of ADHD in two or more places, such as school and home and they should interfere 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 different disorder, such as depression or anxiety. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes in treating ADHD to receive treatment.
If you choose to take the private route, you'll likely find that the wait time is significantly shorter than the NHS. On the NHS, it's not unusual to wait more than one year. This can be extremely stressful for those who are struggling. Some people on waiting lists have committed suicide due to the fact that they could not stand the frustration and stress of waiting for an assessment. The private route typically allows you to begin treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have a lot of experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also screen for and treat co-morbidities, like anxiety or depression.
Why do I need an assessment?
If how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult think you may be suffering from ADHD or are experiencing problems in your everyday life that could be due to it, you should undergo an expert mental assessment. Ideally, this will be done by a psychiatrist that has experience working with neurodevelopmental conditions and ADHD specifically. However, there are psychotherapists and psychologists who can do this type of assessment. If you're not sure which one to go with it is best to seek advice from your doctor or another therapist you are familiar with. You can also search the internet to find specialists in your area that have a good reputation. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of professional who are qualified.
The process of obtaining a clinical diagnosis will involve questions and a structured interview with the doctor. The focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a present work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask you about your experiences with symptoms in your adolescent and childhood however, they will also focus on the impact your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also determine whether you have any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances they may ask for information about your family and friends. You may also be asked to bring old school documents or reports to be evaluated. This could be a stressful aspect of the process, as it may be difficult to recall details about your struggles in childhood or adolescence.
If you're part of the minority group or are gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK for instance there is still an underlying stigma against people of color gender non-conforming (GNCs) and females being diagnosed with ADHD even when the symptoms are clear. It isn't easy to obtain a proper diagnosis. However, GPs can refer you to a private doctor such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to sign a shared care agreement with your GP for medications, which can make the process a lot easier, however not all GPs are willing do this.
How can I have an assessment completed?
Your primary healthcare provider is your GP, and he or she is the best person to refer you to an evaluation. You can also contact a private specialist, such as Priory, and arrange 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, 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 accessed through your portal dashboard and must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviors that may indicate the presence of ADHD. Your doctor will make the referral to an adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health team, in the event that you are within the catchment area offering this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
It is important to disclose any other mental health problems that you're suffering from or were previously diagnosed in your family, as these can also impact the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any feedback or reports from your educational tutors, supervisors, and work colleagues and also details of any assistance you're receiving at home (for example, through a GP service or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility).
Once the psychiatrist has completed your assessment, they will go over their findings with you. If they decide that you have ADHD they'll give you an action plan for treatment that could include medication recommendations. The care plan will outline any other support they feel you could be able to benefit from, for instance, an appointment with talk therapy or coaching.
We recognize that it may be difficult to access the help you require when your health or social healthcare needs are complex. We provide a free, confidential call with an assistant psychology to help you determine what support is available. This could include the referral to local ADHD support group or an eligibility test for government-funded programs like Access to Work.
What happens during the course of a test?
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD is among the first steps in gaining control over symptoms that can cause significant problems in many situations, from home to work. An evaluation usually includes a thorough interview conducted by a knowledgeable professional and a variety of psychometric testing. This information can help identify what symptoms are affecting the individual and if they are caused by other medical conditions or issues.
A comprehensive assessment involves collecting detailed information about the person's past, specifically when symptoms started and how long they have been present. In addition to analyzing the current effects of ADHD symptoms, the doctor will want to know how the symptoms have impacted their life in general and in the most important settings like work, school and relationships. This will be based upon a definition of impairment which will consider if the individual has been dismissed due to their difficulties with time management or placed on academic probation because of poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a seasoned psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is certified to conduct ADHD assessments. Professionals can use a variety of techniques and materials, however certain protocols are essential for a complete assessment. This includes a thorough interview and standardized scores for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances, the specialist will give several tests specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions, such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
If you're unsure of where to start or have questions about finding the right health professional, it's often helpful to consult your doctor or visit a local mental health clinic for suggestions. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD will also be capable of providing information about competent professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans include qualified professionals by specialty and can help you find the right expert for your evaluation.