ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults often look for ADHD tests because they feel that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
In the current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have a legal right to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and will also ask for observer reports from others who know you, particularly as a child.
What is ADHD assessment?
Your child or you can find out whether they have ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed by a licensed specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals who are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may employ a variety of methods to evaluate your symptoms, such as checklists and behavior rating scales and also interview people who are familiar with you. They could also request your medical history as well as physical examination to rule out other conditions like depression or anxiety disorder that could mimic ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest during your assessment. If you don't, the evaluator might think that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. In the course of your assessment you'll probably be asked about your family and personal mental health history, as well as any problems at school or work. You might be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire or a behavioral scale. It is also important to pay attention during the examination.
To get a diagnosis to be eligible for a diagnosis, you must exhibit at least six signs of ADHD that appear in two or more settings like school and home and affect your daily life. These symptoms must have been present in the early years of your life before 12 years of age and are not attributed to other conditions, like anxiety or depression. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you may decide to consult an independent psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD.
You'll notice that waiting times are much shorter if opting to go private. It's not uncommon to wait for more than a whole year for an assessment on the NHS and it could be a major blow for those who are struggling. Some people on waiting lists have committed suicide because they couldn't bear the frustration and stress of waiting for an evaluation. Private treatment allows you to begin treatment immediately. The majority of private psychiatrists are experienced in treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to screen and treat co-morbidities like depression or an anxiety disorder.
Why do I need an assessment?
If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD, or you are experiencing problems in your daily life that could be due to it, you should seek an expert mental assessment. This will ideally be done by a qualified psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. However, there are also psychotherapists and psychologists who are able to perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure which therapy to pick then you can ask your general practitioner to recommend a therapy provider you've met. You can also search on the internet for local professionals with a good track record. Some insurance plans have lists of professional who are qualified.
A structured interview and questions will be part of the process for a complete diagnosis. The focus of the interview will be your symptoms in the current work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your history of symptoms as a teenager and child, but will also concentrate on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also test for any other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Depending on the professional and conditions, they might ask for information from your close family and friends. It is not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents to review. This can be a difficult process since it can be difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or your adolescence.
The process is more difficult if you are a minority group and/or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance there is still an underlying stigma against people of color GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD, even if the symptoms are clear. It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis. However, GPs can recommend you to a private specialist like a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre for an assessment. It is also possible to get an agreement for shared care with your GP for medications, which can make the process a lot simpler, but not all GPs will accept this.
How do I have an assessment completed?
Your doctor is your primary health healthcare provider and is best in the position to refer you to an assessment. You can also contact a private specialist such as Priory, and arrange an appointment. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD for adults and provide a variety of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you need to be referred, they will ask you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard. They must be completed at a minimum of 24 hours before the consultation. They are designed to highlight behaviors that may indicate ADHD. Your GP will arrange for a referral to an adult ADHD service.
If you live in an area that offers this service, your local mental health team usually provides it. They will conduct a comprehensive mental and psychiatric examination, including a look at other disorders like anxiety and depression, which can sometimes be a symptom of ADHD symptoms.
It is also important to provide details of any mental health issues you may have or have had in the past. These could impact your ability to get assessed for ADHD. It's also beneficial to bring along any feedback or reports from educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues as well as the specifics of any help you're receiving at home (for example, through a GP service or non-profit organisation like EmployAbility).
The psychiatrist will share their findings with you after they have completed the assessment. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they'll give you a care plan that may include recommendations for medication. The care plan will also detail any other assistance they believe would be beneficial to you, such as the need to refer you to talk therapies or coaching.
We recognize that it may be difficult to get the assistance you require if your health or social care needs are complex. That's why we offer an anonymous, free phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your area, or an assessment of eligibility for government funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during a test?
A correct diagnosis of ADHD can assist you in controlling symptoms, which can create problems in a variety of settings, from the workplace to home. An evaluation usually includes an extensive interview conducted by a knowledgeable professional and various forms of psychometric testing. This information can help identify what symptoms are affecting the person and whether they are a result of medical or other conditions.
adhd diagnoses requires collecting detailed information about the person's past, specifically when the symptoms began and how long they have been present. In addition to analyzing the current impact of ADHD symptoms, the professional will want to know how the symptoms have affected their lives in general as well as in major settings such as school, work and relationships. This will be based on a definition of impairment that examines whether the individual has been fired because of their trouble with managing their time, suffered from excessive conflict and distress in their relationship or been put on academic probation because of poor grades.
A qualified psychiatrist or psychologist certified to evaluate ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may employ different materials and procedures, but certain protocols are necessary for a comprehensive assessment. This includes a thorough interview and standardized scores for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some cases specialists will administer a series of tests designed to screen for ADHD and other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
If you're unsure of where to begin or have questions about finding the right health care specialist, it's best to speak with your physician or contact an area mental health clinic for suggestions. Many support groups for adults with ADHD will also be capable of providing information about qualified professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans have specialists with specializations and can help you find an appropriate expert for your evaluation.