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 might be worried about their work or relationships.
According to diagnosis adhd for England and Wales, you are entitled to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and may ask for observers' reports from those who know you, especially as an infant.
What is ADHD assessment?
You or your child can determine whether they suffer from ADHD through an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by an accredited psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK that are certified to diagnose ADHD. They may use a number of methods to evaluate your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and interviewing people who are familiar with you. They might also ask for an exam of your body and a medical history to rule out any other conditions that could mimic ADHD like depression or anxiety.
It is important to be honest in your assessment. If you're not honest, the person evaluating you might think that you're not serious about obtaining a diagnosis or that your symptoms aren't like they're that serious. During the assessment you will likely be asked to provide details regarding your history of mental health and the history of your family members, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You might be asked to fill out the completion of a questionnaire or a scale of behavior. You'll also have to be attentive to the test.
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 everyday life. These symptoms must have been present in your childhood prior to the age of 12, and cannot be explained by other conditions, like anxiety or depression. You could be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in treating ADHD to receive treatment.
If you decide to take the private route, you'll find that the wait time is significantly shorter than the NHS. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait more than one year. This can be extremely stressful for those who are struggling. Some of those on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment immediately. The majority of private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to detect and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety or depression.
What is the reason I need an assessment?
If you suspect you have ADHD, or you are experiencing problems in your daily life that could be related to it you should have a professional mental assessment. This will ideally be done by an experienced psychiatrist who is well-versed in neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. However, there are psychologists and psychotherapists that can do this type of assessment. If you're not sure which one to choose, you could ask your doctor to recommend a counselor you've worked with. You can also search the web for professionals in your area with good reputations. Certain insurance plans offer lists of qualified professionals.
A structured interview and questions will be part of the process for an accurate diagnosis. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms in a current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will ask about your previous symptoms as an adolescent or child. The doctor will also focus on the impact of your symptoms in adulthood. They will also check for other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and the circumstances, they may request information from your close friends and family members. It is also not unusual for them to request that you bring old school reports or other documents to look over. This is a difficult part of the process, as it may be difficult to remember details about your struggles during your childhood or adolescence.
If you are part of the minority group or are gender non-conforming, the process can be more difficult. In the UK, for example there is still discrimination against people of color GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD even when the symptoms are evident. This can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis but it is also possible for GPs to refer you to an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to get a shared care agreement with your GP for medications, which can make the process a lot easier, however not all GPs will take this step.
How can I have an assessment completed?
Your GP is your primary health care provider and is the best in the position to refer you to an assessment. You can also call a private specialist, such as Priory, and arrange an appointment. Priory's highly trained psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can offer you the full 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 complete 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 prior to your appointment. They are designed to identify behaviors that may indicate the presence of ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to a commissioned adult ADHD service.
This is typically handled by the local community mental health team in the event that you are within a catchment area currently offering this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment and will also look at other conditions that may be similar to symptoms of ADHD like depression and anxiety.
You should also mention any mental health issues you may have or have experienced in the past. These could impact your ability to get assessed for ADHD. Also, you can bring any feedback or reports from your teachers or supervisors as well as your colleagues. Additionally, you should provide information about any help you receive at home, like through an GP or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility.
The psychiatrist will share their findings with you after they have completed the assessment. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will give you a plan of care which may include medications recommendations. The care plan will outline any other support they feel you could appreciate, for example, a referral to counselling or talk therapy.
We know that it can be difficult to receive the support you require in the event that your health or social care needs are complicated. This is why we offer a confidential, no-cost call with an assistant psychologist to help you find out what support might be available to you. This could include a referral to local ADHD support group or an eligibility check for government-funded programs like Access to Work.
What happens during a test?
Making a correct diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps towards gaining control over the symptoms that could cause serious problems in a variety of situations, from home to work. A thorough interview conducted by an experienced professional and various psychometric tests are usually part of an evaluation. This information can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect an individual and if they are the result of medical conditions or other issues.
A comprehensive assessment includes gathering detailed information on the person's past, including the date when symptoms first began to manifest and the length of time they last. The specialist will also want to understand the impact of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, including work, school, and relationships. This will be dependent on the definition of impairment that will consider whether the person has been fired because of their difficulties with time management, suffered from an excessive amount of conflict and stress in their marriage or been placed on academic probation for poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a skilled psychiatrist or psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD tests. Professionals may employ different methods and materials, but certain protocols are essential to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a thorough interview, standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances the doctor will conduct an array of tests specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms as well as 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 professional, it's usually best to ask your personal doctor or contact a local mental health clinic for suggestions. Many support groups for adults with ADHD will also be in a position to offer information on qualified professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans will provide a list of qualified professionals that are sorted by specialization to help you find the best expert for your assessment.