ADHD Diagnosis
ADHD is a complex condition. It can be a problem for people from childhood to the age of adulthood.
Some people choose to pay privately for ADHD assessments and medications because NHS wait times are at an all-time high. The BBC Panorama documentary of the past week raised concerns that some of these services were not up to standard.
What is ADHD?
An ADHD diagnosis is a clinical assessment made by your psychiatrist based upon your developmental background, behavioural patterns and signs. To determine a diagnosis they'll ask you complete a variety of questionnaires and conduct an interview to build up a clinical picture. Some of these questions are standardised and are used by all psychiatrists, and others are specific to each psychiatrist. Each clinic and psychiatrist will have their own set of questions and tests they prefer to use.
A psychiatrist will also look at your family history as well as your medical and mental health history, and your current symptoms. In most cases, they will inquire about how your symptoms affect you at home, work and in other situations. They will determine if your symptoms match the guidelines for clinical care established by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
To be considered to have ADHD, your symptoms must be evident in more than one setting (home or school, and/or social situations) and significantly affect your ability to function. Your symptoms must have been persistent for a long time and started before you turned 12 years old. In addition, you must meet the criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations of ADHD to get a diagnosis.
During the consultation, your psychiatrist will also try to determine how your symptoms impact your life at the moment and if they have been present since childhood. They will also determine if there are other circumstances that might be responsible for your symptoms. For instance sleep disorders or depression, or anxiety.
It is important to remember that many adults with ADHD have a poor understanding of their childhood experiences, particularly if they had an unhappy childhood. This could affect their ability to detect the presence of ADHD symptoms in their lives at the moment and sometimes it is essential for your doctor to speak with a significant other, such as your spouse or partner to gather more information about your childhood.
You can locate a healthcare professional who specialises in ADHD evaluations by asking your primary doctor for a referral, consulting with the staff at a local hospital that is based on a university or calling a mental health clinic. You can also ask for recommendations from a group of people suffering from ADHD.
Why do I need to be evaluated for ADHD?
Before you begin any treatment, it is essential to obtain a thorough diagnosis if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. It's not possible to diagnose ADHD through an online test or questionnaire. Only a health professional can conduct an extensive assessment and provide an accurate diagnosis. If it is not diagnosed, ADHD can cause major issues at work, in relationships, and even with your health.
If your GP knows that you believe you suffer from ADHD symptoms, they will consider your concerns seriously and ask you for more information about your life and past. They'll likely refer you for an NHS screening assessment which will consist of an interview with a psychiatrist and the completion of a variety of validated ADHD evaluation scales.
You'll also be asked to fill out questionnaires with others who know you well such as family members or close friends. This will allow the healthcare professional to gain a better understanding of your behavior and how it impacts others. A person with high IQ may have developed strategies to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. For example they may use technology to keep track their appointments, but a spouse can tell if they're having difficulty remembering things.
A private healthcare provider won't be able to bend the rules because you pay for their evaluation, and they must still adhere to National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines when assessing for ADHD. The process can be faster than waiting for an NHS appointment.
An ADHD assessment will help you understand the root website cause of your issues and how best to deal with these issues, while also getting you on the right path by taking medication. If you decide to begin treatment, make sure that you have your GP sign a shared-care agreement with your private physician (so that you pay only for the NHS prescription fee) to keep track of your progress and give advice regarding any changes. This will ensure that you receive the most effective and appropriate therapy for your particular requirements. Contact one of Priory's brain and mind experts today if you are interested in having an ADHD assessment.
What happens if I don't have a diagnosis?
ADHD symptoms can differ from person to person, and their manifestations can change with time. This is why a reliable diagnosis can be hard to obtain, particularly for adults, despite many GPs taking their concerns seriously. It is also a reason why some people have a harder time than others to access NHS services. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and sometimes it takes years before someone who needs to be evaluated can get an assessment.
In the meantime, one might not be able to find an employment opportunity or relationships may suffer. Undiagnosed adults are at higher risk of serious problems like mood disorders and addiction. They can be afflicted with extreme sadness or anxiety, and start to resign themselves to living a life without the motivation and achievement they could have had if they had been diagnosed and treated.
The good news is that if you have been struggling to cope with your ADHD, it is possible to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. If you choose to see an individual specialist for an evaluation it is crucial to select your doctor carefully. Do your research and seek recommendations from family and friends prior to making any decisions. Verify that they have the right qualifications and credentials, as well as talk with previous clients or patients about their experiences with them.
A professional with the appropriate education can utilize a variety of tools to diagnose ADHD. These include questionnaires, interviews and medical examinations. The primary goal of the diagnosis is to rule out other causes, such as emotional problems or learning disabilities, which are difficult to differentiate from ADHD.
In an ADHD evaluation, a specialist may interview you or your partner to discuss the symptoms and how they impact your daily life. The specialist may also use an DSM-5 checklist of symptoms as well as other psychometric tests to assess the severity of your symptoms. The stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD in adults and children. It has been around since 1937. It can be an extremely effective treatment because it can have a highly positive effect on mood, and it can help stabilize brain function.
How do I get an assessment of ADHD?
A healthcare professional will interview you or your children to determine if they have ADHD. They will ask you or your child questions about their behavior in different settings, such as at school and at home. They may also use rating scales to help identify symptoms, like inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They will also need to know whether your or your child's symptoms have existed since childhood and whether they have affected daily functioning.
They will also ask whether the symptoms you or your child is experiencing are connected to other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. About 80% of those with ADHD have co-occurring mental health issues, so it is important to rule them out.
A private health care provider could also ask for your permission to interview family members or friends, teachers as well as religious leaders, scout leaders or coaches. They will inquire about how your or your child’s behavior affects their daily life and inquire if there any past background of trauma or abuse.
The healthcare professional will explain the reason they do not believe that the diagnosis of ADHD is appropriate. The reason could be that they don't believe the symptoms are serious enough or that they believe that they could be caused by a different disorder.
It is recommended to get a referral from your family physician for an ADHD evaluation. If you don't have a family doctor or a psychiatrist, you can ask your insurance company for recommendations or contact a local mental support group.
Bring any relevant documentation, including medical, psychological, education, and employment, to your appointment. The health care professional may require your complete family and social histories and conduct a physical examination.
After the health care professional has reviewed all of the data, they will be in a position to determine whether or not you or your child has ADHD. If needed, they'll recommend medication or a different treatment. If you plan to utilize the NHS prescription service to get your medication, it is recommended to check with them first to see if they will accept a private diagnosis that is NHS-accredited of ADHD.