getting an adhd assessment uk in the UK
A complete diagnostic assessment is essential for a precise diagnosis. This includes screening questionnaires sent out beforehand as well as an interview with you, at least one person who knows you well from childhood, an analysis of your historical school reports (if available) and a full psychiatric consultation.
The NHS has guidelines that must be followed for an ADHD assessment. However, many individuals choose to use an individual healthcare provider to accelerate the process and avoid long waiting lists.
What is an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for a healthcare professional to listen to you and help you understand your difficulties. You will be working with a seasoned psychiatrist to find out what's going on and how it is impacting your daily life. They will evaluate you using various tools, including symptom checklists or behaviour rating scales. They will also consider any family history of mental health problems and your past experiences. The psychiatrist will then be able confirm which of the three primary subtypes of mental illness you may have.
The doctor will also rule out any other medical or mental conditions that could mimic the symptoms ADHD. This is vital because if a condition is mistakenly attributed to ADHD it could mean that you are misdiagnosed and the symptoms of ADHD may not improve. The specialist will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and how they affect your daily life by using the same criteria as an NHS specialist.
It is an excellent idea to create a list of questions or concerns that you're facing ahead of time. This can help ensure that all of your needs are covered, and that nothing is left unanswered. It's also an excellent idea to keep an outline of any particular difficulties you have been experiencing. It is easier to remember these issues better by writing them down. It will also make the process for receiving an ADHD diagnosis more effective.
Bring any relevant paperwork to your appointment. This can include any performance evaluations from your job or old report cards from school. You can also aid the specialist by bringing in any documents you may have that show how ADHD has affected your life.
You might be asked to complete pre-screening questions prior to your appointment. They can be accessed through your portal dashboard and will usually be available to fill out before you meet with your psychiatrist. This should be completed as quickly as you can and will cut down the amount of time you'll wait.
How can I get an ADHD assessment?
If you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD and you are unable to determine the cause, a diagnosis could be the first step in getting the help and support you need. In the UK, GPs cannot diagnose ADHD but they can refer an assessment to a psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals in the country who are qualified to determine the diagnosis (and prescribe medication when needed).
An NHS-funded ADHD evaluation will be conducted by a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist. It will usually take 45-90 minutes. You will be asked about your mental health in general, the mental health history of your family and your symptoms. The specialist will also look at any other psychological or medical conditions that could contribute to the symptoms you're experiencing.
Your specialist will also inquire whether you've had similar issues. This is because current guidelines for diagnosing ADHD indicate that you can be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood if your symptoms have been present since the age of.
If you've experienced these symptoms in your adult life Your doctor will inquire if your problems have improved or worsened over time. They will also look into any other factors that could affect your symptoms, including anxiety and stress. They may also recommend that you try an online group-based ADHD support and education programme or offer referrals for other therapies like cognitive behavior therapy.
If you live in England and are having trouble accessing a NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you are able to avail your Right to Choose. This means you can opt to have a private assessment if are satisfied with the waiting time for an NHS assessment or if you want to avoid waiting altogether. Private assessments are more costly, however, they offer direct treatment. Your specialist will provide you with a thorough report you can bring to your GP. They will also discuss any medication or other treatment options they recommend to you. If you request, they'll also provide recommendation letter to your workplace or school. This can be an additional cost based on the amount of time required to write the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment starts with a psychiatric consultation. Your doctor will ask questions about your lifestyle, health, family, and development. They will also send you standardised questionnaires. They may also interview other people, like siblings, parents, or spouses as well as ask your friends and teachers for their opinion too. The interviews aren't designed to criticise you, but rather to help identify other factors that could be causing your symptoms, for example anxiety or depression.
During the interview, your doctor will examine any records you bring along, such as evaluations of your performance at work as well as copies of your previous psychological tests or even old school reports. The assessor will also spend time talking to the person who knows you best like your spouse, sibling or parent. This is mostly to collect information about your childhood experiences as you might have forgotten some specifics or your behaviours may have changed as you grew older.
The psychiatrist will also review any information you provided in response to the standardised questionnaire prior to your appointment so that they can gain a better understanding of your symptoms. They will also examine any other information from your past, such as old school reports or a medical or neurodevelopmental exam. This is to ensure that you meet the standard 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. For adults, this is at least five symptoms that have been established during the same time.
Your doctor will then conduct a medical interview in person with you after collecting all the relevant information. The psychiatrist will review the information collected to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms. This is usually done by reading through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) rating scales to determine if your symptoms match the criteria.
If your psychiatrist concludes that you suffer from ADHD, he or she will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then decide on a treatment plan that may 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 to get an ADHD assessment from the NHS, you can see your own personal doctor.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
The process of getting a professional ADHD diagnosis can transform your life. It can help you get treatment and lessen feelings of confusion or self-doubt.
The first thing you need to do if you suspect you or your child has ADHD is to speak with your 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.
Once you've been referred to an assessment and/or your child will be interviewed in person by the clinician. The interview will include subjects like growth, health and family history, and lifestyle. The doctor may also request to speak to others, such as coaches, teachers, or daycare providers. This is not to check your answers but to learn how your symptoms affect your child or different situations.
The clinician will also use rating scales to determine if you experience certain symptoms, like restlessness and difficulty staying focused. This will determine if you meet standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also talk about whether there are any other problems that you might be dealing with like anxiety or depression. It is important to tell your physician if there is a an background of ADHD in your family. Genetics can affect the likelihood of developing the condition.
Following the psychiatric examination your doctor will draft a detailed report that you can bring to your GP. This report will include the full diagnosis as well as a recommended treatment.
If you've been diagnosed as an adult suffering from ADHD If you have been diagnosed as an adult with ADHD, your GP might suggest you try a medication. If the medication works, you should tell the DVLA and your insurance company, since you'll need to update your driver's license. If you're parents of one of your children who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your therapist might suggest attending a group for parents to learn more about managing the disorder together. This will help you improve your relationship with the child and help you become an even more confident parent.