ADHD Assessment in the UK
A thorough assessment of your diagnosis is essential for a precise diagnosis. This includes screening questionnaires distributed prior to as well as an interview with you, at least one person who knows you well from childhood, a review of historical school reports (if available) and a complete mental health consultation.
The NHS has guidelines to follow in order to conduct an ADHD assessment. However, many individuals choose to use an individual healthcare provider to speed up the process and avoid lengthy waiting lists.
What is an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is a chance for a healthcare professional to listen to you and understand your issues. You will meet with a psychiatrist who is senior to discover the root of what is happening and how it could be impacting your life. They will evaluate you using various tools, such as symptom checklists or rating scales. They will also look at the family history of your parents and any previous experiences with mental health issues. The psychiatrist will then be able to confirm the existence of any of the three major subtypes you might have.
The doctor will also rule out any other medical or mental conditions that may mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is important as if you are misdiagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms may not improve. The expert will also evaluate the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your daily activities by using the same criteria an NHS specialist would employ.
Make a note in advance of any questions or concerns you may have. This will help ensure that all of your needs are covered, and that no detail is left unanswered. It's also recommended to take notes of any particular issues you've been experiencing. You will be able to remember these issues better if you write them down. This will also make the process for getting an ADHD diagnosis more efficient.
Bring any relevant paperwork to your appointment. You can bring old school or work report cards or even performance assessments. You can also assist the specialist by bringing in any documents you may have that demonstrate how ADHD has affected your life.
You may also be asked to complete questionnaires for pre-screening prior to your appointment. You can access these by logging in to your portal dashboard. They are generally available to complete prior to meeting with the psychiatrist. You should do this as soon as you can as it can reduce your wait time.
How can I get an ADHD assessment?
A diagnosis of ADHD may be the first step in getting the support and help you require. In the UK doctors are not able to diagnose ADHD. However they are able to refer a patient to a psychiatrist.
An NHS-funded ADHD assessment will involve a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist and typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. You will be asked questions regarding your mental health as well as your family's history of mental health and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also look at any other medical and psychological conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms.
In addition to asking about your current symptoms, your specialist will also inquire if you've suffered from similar problems in the past. This is because current diagnostic guidelines state that you will only be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult when your symptoms have been present since the age of.
If you've been experiencing these symptoms since adulthood Your doctor will inquire whether your symptoms have improved over time. They will also consider any other factors that can affect your symptoms, like stress and anxiety. They might also suggest that you participate in an online group-based ADHD education and support program or offer referrals for other treatments like cognitive behaviour therapy.
If you're having trouble getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you are able to take advantage of your Right to Choose when you live in England. This means that you have the option to have a private assessment if are satisfied with the wait time for an NHS assessment or if you want to avoid waiting. Private assessments are more expensive, however, they offer direct treatment. Your specialist will write a comprehensive report for you to bring to your GP and will go over any recommended medication or other treatment options with you. If you request, they'll also send a recommendation letter to your workplace or school. It could be an additional expense depending on the length of time it takes to prepare the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
A psychiatric assessment is the first step in an ADHD assessment. Your doctor will go over your symptom history and ask you questions about your development, health and family life. They will also provide you with standard questionnaires. They will also interview other people, such as spouses, siblings or parents as well as ask your friends and teachers for their opinion too. The interviews aren't meant to criticise, but rather to identify other factors which might be causing symptoms, like depression or anxiety disorders.
During the interview, your doctor will look at any documents you bring in, for example, copies of previous psychological tests or old school reports. The assessor will also spend time talking to the person who knows you best for example, siblings, spouses or parent. This is mostly to gather information on your childhood experiences, since you may have forgotten some details or the behaviours might have changed as you got older.
The psychiatrist will also analyze the information you've provided in the standardised questionnaires prior the appointment, to ensure they have an overview of your symptoms. They will also look at any other historical data, such as old school reports or an examination for neurodevelopment or medical. 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 in the same time.
After they have gathered all the relevant details, your psychiatrist will conduct a clinical interview with you. They will then review all the information they've collected and determine if you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD. This process involves evaluating your symptoms by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD The doctor will write a report for your GP. The doctor will then choose an appropriate treatment plan that may include pharmacological (medication) or psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you have a legal right to select your own healthcare provider, so you can consult your own private physician for an ADHD assessment in the event that you don't want to wait for the NHS.
What happens after an ADHD assessment?
A professional ADHD diagnosis can have a profound impact on your life. It can help you access treatment and reduce the feeling of anxiety and self-doubt regarding your symptoms.
The first thing you need to do if you suspect you or your child may have ADHD is to speak with an GP. adhd assessments can refer you directly to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is the only UK healthcare professional qualified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients are able to wait for months to receive an appointment, which is why many choose to use private instead.
Once you've been referred to an assessment, you or your child will be interviewed in person by your clinician. The interview will include topics such as development, health and family history, and lifestyle. The physician may also want to speak with others, such as coaches, teachers or daycare providers. This is not an attempt to check your answers, but to find out what your symptoms can do to your child or you in different situations.
The clinician will also utilize rating scales to determine how often you experience certain symptoms, like restlessness and difficulty staying focused. This will help determine if you meet standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also discuss whether you suffer from any other issues, such as anxiety or depression. If you have an ancestral history of ADHD, it is worth notifying your doctor about this as there are genetic influences that affect the likelihood of developing the disorder.
Following the psychiatric examination, your clinician will write up a comprehensive report that you can take to your GP. The report will include a thorough diagnosis and treatment recommendation.
If you've been diagnosed as an adult suffering from ADHD Your GP may recommend that you try medication. If the medication is effective you must inform your insurance company and the DVLA in order to need to update your driving license. Your therapist may recommend that you and your child take an educational class for parents to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can help improve your relationship with your child, and make you an empathetic and confident parent.