ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they believe something is not quite right. They may be concerned about their relationships or work.
According to 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 observers' reports from those who know you, particularly as you were a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
You or your child can find out if they have ADHD through an ADHD assessment. You will be interviewed by an approved specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They can employ a variety of methods to assess your symptoms, including checklists and behavior rating scales and also interview those who know you well. They might also request your medical history as well as an examination of your body to rule out other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that may be a symptom of ADHD.
It is essential to be honest and forthright in your evaluation. If you're not honest, the person evaluating you may conclude that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms don't seem that severe. During the assessment, you'll likely be asked about your family and personal history of mental health and any difficulties in school or work. You might be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire or fill out an assessment scale for your behavioral health and you'll likely be asked be aware of what you're doing during your assessment.
You must display at least six indications of ADHD in two or more locations, such as school or 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 they can't be explained by a different disorder, such as depression or anxiety. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you may opt to consult an independent psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD.
The waiting times are significantly shorter if you choose to go private. It's not uncommon to have to wait for more than a year for an assessment on the NHS and it can be devastating for people who are struggling to cope. Some of those on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment allows you to begin treatment immediately. Most private psychiatrists are experienced in treating adults with ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety or depression.
Why do how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult require an assessment?
If you think you may be suffering from ADHD or are experiencing issues in your daily life that could be due to it, you should undergo an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. This is best done by an experienced psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. However, there are also psychologists and psychotherapists that can do this type of assessment. If you're not sure which therapy to pick, you can ask your general practitioner to recommend a counselor you've worked with. You can also search the internet for professionals near you with good reputations. Certain insurance plans also offer lists of professional who are qualified.
A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process to determine a complete clinical diagnosis. The focus of the interview will be your symptoms within a present work, family and social context. The psychiatrist will ask you about your history of symptoms as a teenager and child and will then focus on the impact that your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also look for any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Based on the professional and circumstances, they may request information from your close friends and family members. It is not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents for review. This can be a stressful process since it can be difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or the adolescence.
If you are part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the procedure can be more challenging. In the UK for example, people of color, GNCs and females are still not diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are evident. This makes it difficult to be diagnosed however, it is possible for doctors to refer you an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital for an assessment. It is also possible to obtain a shared-care agreement with your GP for medication which can make the process a lot easier, however not all GPs are willing do this.
How do I get an assessment done?
Your primary healthcare provider is your doctor and they are the best person to refer you to an evaluation. Alternately, you can call an individual specialist like Priory and make an appointment for yourself. Priory's psychiatrists are experts with years of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and are able to offer a full range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred, they will request you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to complete a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be accessed through your portal dashboard and should be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. These are designed to highlight behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will make a 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 providing this service. They will perform a comprehensive mental and psychiatric assessment that includes a review of other conditions such as anxiety and depression that may sometimes resemble ADHD symptoms.
It is also important to be aware of any mental health issues you may have or have had in the past. These could impact 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 give details of any assistance you receive at home, like through a GP or non-profit organization like EmployAbility.
After the psychiatrist has completed your assessment, they will discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you have ADHD they'll offer an action plan for treatment that could include medication recommendations. The care plan will also outline any other assistance they believe you could appreciate, for example, an appointment with counseling or talk therapy.
We understand that it can be difficult to obtain the assistance you require if your health or social needs are complicated. This is why we provide an anonymous, free call with an assistant psychologist to help you find out what support might be available to you. This could include the referral to an area ADHD support group or an eligibility check for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps towards gaining control over the symptoms that could cause significant problems in many settings, from home to work. A typical evaluation consists of an extensive interview conducted by an experienced professional, as well as various forms of psychometric testing. This information can help identify the underlying causes of the symptoms for the individual and whether they are the result of other conditions or medical issues.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering information on the person's past, specifically when symptoms first started and how long they have been present. In addition to discussing the effects of ADHD symptoms, the specialist will want to know how the symptoms have impacted their lives in general and in major settings such as work, school and relationships. This will be dependent on a definition of impairment which will consider whether the person has lost their job because of their difficulty with managing their time, suffered from excessive conflict and distress in their relationship or been put on academic probation because of poor grades.
A trained psychiatrist or psychologist certified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals can use a variety of techniques and materials, however certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive assessment. They include a thorough clinical interview, standardized rating scales for ADHD and other forms of psychometric testing. In some cases, the specialist will give an array of tests specifically designed to identify ADHD symptoms as well as other conditions such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
If you're unsure of how 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 adult ADHD support groups are capable of providing you with information on qualified professionals near you. Some health insurance plans list specialists with specializations and can help you find the right specialist for your evaluation.