ADHD Assessment in the UK
A full diagnostic assessment is vital for a precise diagnosis. This will include screening questionnaires sent out beforehand as well as an interview with you and an individual who has been with you since childhood, an analysis of your historical school reports (if available) and a complete mental health consultation.
The NHS has guidelines that must be followed in order to make an ADHD assessment. However, many individuals choose to use private healthcare providers to expedite the process and avoid long waiting lists.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for a healthcare professional to listen to you and understand your difficulties. You will be working with a seasoned psychiatrist to determine what is happening and how it may be impacting your daily life. They will assess you by using a variety of tools, including symptoms checklists and scales for assessing your behaviour. They will also take into account any family history of mental health issues as well as your previous experiences. The psychiatrist will then be able to confirm which of the three main subtypes you might have.
The specialist will also rule-out any other mental or medical conditions that could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is important as when you are misdiagnosed as having ADHD the symptoms might not improve. The specialist will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and how they affect your daily functioning with the same criteria as an NHS specialist.
It is an excellent idea to create a list of questions or concerns that you may have prior to the time. This will ensure that your needs are fulfilled and that nothing is overlooked. It's also an excellent idea to keep an outline of any particular problems you've experienced. It is easier to remember these issues better if you write them down. It will also make the process for getting an ADHD diagnosis more efficient.
Bring any relevant documentation to your appointment. This could include any performance evaluations from your job, or old report cards from school. If you have any health or educational records that can be used to show the effect of ADHD on your life, these records are beneficial for the doctor to have also.
You might be asked to fill out screening questions prior to your appointment. Get More Information can access these when you log in to your portal dashboard. They are typically available to fill out prior to your appointment with the psychiatrist. This should be done as quickly as you can, as it will reduce the time you wait.
How can I get an ADHD evaluation?
A diagnosis of ADHD is often the first step in getting the support and help you need. In the UK the GP cannot diagnose ADHD but can refer for an assessment to a psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals in the nation who are qualified to make the diagnosis (and prescribe medication if needed).
An NHS-funded ADHD assessment will involve an expert psychiatrist or psychologist and typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health and your family's history of mental health and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also consider any other psychological and medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Your specialist will also ask you whether you've experienced similar problems. Get More Information indicate that ADHD can only be diagnosed as an adult if symptoms have been present from childhood.
If you've experienced these symptoms as an adult your doctor will ask whether your issues have progressed or worsened over time. They will also examine any other factors that could influence your symptoms, including stress and anxiety. They might also suggest that you enroll in an organization-based ADHD education and support program or suggest other therapies, like cognitive therapy for behavior.
If you reside in England and are having difficulty getting a NHS-funded ADHD evaluation, you can benefit from your Right to Choose. You can decide to go private when the NHS wait time is too long or you don't want to wait around at all. Private assessments are more expensive but will give you access to treatment. Your specialist will prepare complete reports for you to present to your GP and will discuss any recommended medication or other treatment options with you. They will also send letters of recommendation to your workplace or school upon request. The cost of the letter will depend on how long it takes to prepare the letter.
What happens during a ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment starts with a psychiatric consultation. Your doctor will go over your symptom history and ask questions regarding your development, health, family and lifestyle. They will also send you standard questionnaires. They may also interview other people, such as siblings, parents, or spouses and may also ask friends teachers, coaches or other colleagues for their opinions too. The interviews aren't designed to slam you, but rather to help identify other causes that could be causing your symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
During the appointment, your doctor will look at any records you bring with you like performance evaluations from work, copies of previous psychological test results, or even old school reports. The assessor will also spend time talking with the person who knows you best like your spouse, sibling or parent. This is to gather details about your childhood, as you might have forgotten specific details or that your behaviours might have changed over time.
The psychiatrist will also review any information you have provided on the standardised questions prior to your appointment so that they can get an understanding of your symptoms. They will also review any other information from your past like old school reports, or an examination for neurodevelopment or medical. This is to make sure that you meet standardized criteria for ADHD. For children, this is at least six established ADHD behaviors in one of the two categories of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity over a period of six months. Adults must show at least five signs that have been identified over the same time period.
Once they have gathered all relevant information, your doctor will conduct a personal clinical interview with you. The psychiatrist will go over all the information collected to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms. This involves assessing your symptoms by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your psychiatrist decides that you have ADHD They will write a report for your GP. The doctor will then decide on the best treatment plan, which could include pharmacological therapy (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the option of choosing your healthcare provider. If you don't want to wait until you receive an ADHD assessment from the NHS You can visit your own private clinician.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
A professional ADHD diagnosis can transform your life. It can assist you in obtaining treatment, and it could reduce the feeling of doubt and confusion about your symptoms.
If you suspect that your child or you have ADHD, the first step is to discuss it with an GP. They can direct you to a psychologist or psychiatrist who is the only UK healthcare professional certified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients are able to wait for months to get a referral, so many choose to go private instead.
If you've been referred to an assessment, your doctor will conduct an interview with you or your child in person. The interview will cover topics like development, health, family history, and lifestyle. The doctor may request to speak to other individuals such as teachers or daycare providers. This is not to check your answers but to learn how your symptoms affect your child or different situations.
The doctor may also use rating scales to determine the frequency you experience specific symptoms, such as restlessness and trouble staying focused. This will determine if you have the standard criteria for ADHD. They will also talk about whether there are any other problems that you might have, such as depression or anxiety disorders. It is crucial to inform your physician if there is a any history of ADHD in your family. Genetics can influence whether you develop the condition.
Your doctor will prepare an extensive report that you can take to your GP following the psychiatric assessment. It will include a complete diagnosis as well as a treatment recommendation.
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your GP may suggest a trial of medication. If the medication works you should inform the DVLA and your insurance company, since you will need to update your driver's licence. If you are a parent with one of your children who has been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, your therapist could suggest attending a parenting group to learn how to manage the condition together. This can improve your relationship with your child, and assist you in becoming a more confident and understanding parent.