adult adhd diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults frequently seek ADHD assessments because they believe that something isn't just right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
In the current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have the legal right to an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE Guidelines and may request reports from observer people who know you, particularly as an infant.
What is an ADHD assessment?
You or your child can determine whether they suffer from ADHD by undergoing an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned and diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are able to diagnose ADHD. They may employ a variety of methods to evaluate your symptoms, such as checklists and behavior rating scales and also interview people who know you well. They may also request an examination of your body and medical history to rule out any other conditions that could mimic ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
It is crucial to be honest during your evaluation. If you're not, the evaluator may conclude that you're not serious about being diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to provide information 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 during the examination.
To qualify for a diagnosis you must show at least six signs of ADHD that are present in more than one place such as school and home, and interfere with your life. The symptoms must have begun in your early childhood, prior to the age of 12 and cannot be explained by a different disorder, like depression or anxiety. You could be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who is specialized with ADHD to receive treatment.
If you choose to take the private route, you'll find that the wait time is significantly less than the NHS. It's not uncommon for people to wait for more than a whole year on the NHS and it can be a huge blow to those who are struggling in the meantime. Some of those on waiting lists have committed suicide because they simply could not stand the frustration and stress of waiting for an evaluation. Private therapy typically allows you to begin treatment fast, and many private psychiatrists have a lot of experience in treating adults with ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you suspect that you might have ADHD or are experiencing issues in your life caused by it, you will need a professional mental health assessment. This should be conducted by a specialist psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists also do this type of evaluation. If you are unsure which one to go with, it is often best to seek recommendations from your doctor or another therapist that you know. You can also search on the internet for professionals near you with a good track record. Some insurance plans have lists of qualified professionals.
A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process for a complete diagnosis. The main focus of the interview will be your symptoms within a current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask you about your experiences with symptoms as a teenager and child and will then focus on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also check for other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances they may ask for details about your family and friends. You might also be asked to bring old school papers or reports to be examined. This can be a stressful process as it is difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or the adolescence.
If you are part of an ethnic minority or gender non-conforming, the procedure can be more challenging. In the UK for example people of color, GNCs and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are evident. It isn't always easy to get a proper diagnosis. However, GPs can refer you to a private specialist such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to obtain a shared-care agreement with your GP for your medication, which could make the process easier, however not all GPs are willing to take this step.
How can I get an assessment done?
Your physician is your primary care provider and is the best in the position to refer you to an assessment. You can also contact a private specialist, like Priory, and arrange an appointment. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing ADHD for adults and offer a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides to refer you for treatment, they'll request you and a close family member or friend to fill out some questionnaires prior your appointment. You can access these through your portal's dashboard. They must be completed at least 24 hours before the appointment. They are designed to identify behaviors that may be indicative of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for an appointment with an adult ADHD service.
This is usually carried out by the local community mental health team in the event that you reside within a catchment area currently providing this service. They will conduct a thorough mental and psychiatric evaluation, including a look at other disorders like anxiety and depression, which can sometimes be a symptom of ADHD symptoms.
It is also important to provide details of any mental health issues that you might have or have experienced in the past. These could impact the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. It's also beneficial to bring along any feedback or reports from educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues and also details of any assistance you receive at home (for example, through a GP service or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility).
After the psychiatrist has completed your assessment, they will discuss their findings with you. If they decide that you have ADHD, they'll provide a care plan that may include medication recommendations. The care plan will outline any other supports that they think would be beneficial for you, such as signposting to therapy sessions or coaching.
We know that it can be difficult to receive the help you need if your social or health care needs are complex. This is why we provide a confidential, no-cost phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you find out what support might be available to you. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your area, or an eligibility test for government-funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during an exam?
Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD is one of the first steps in gaining control over symptoms that can cause serious problems in a variety of situations, from home to work. An extensive interview with a professional with experience and various psychometric tests are usually part of an evaluation. The results can be used to determine the extent to which the symptoms affect a person and whether or not they are caused by medical conditions or any other causes.
A thorough evaluation involves gathering specific information about the person's past, including the time when symptoms first started to manifest and the length of time they were in effect. The specialist will also want to understand the impact of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, including school, work and relationships. This will be based upon the definition of impairment, which will consider if the individual has been fired because of their difficulty with time management or put on academic probation because of poor grades.
A trained psychiatrist or psychologist certified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. Although the professionals can differ slightly in the methods and the materials they employ Certain protocols are essential to conduct a thorough assessment. They include a thorough clinical interview as well as standardized rating scales to assess ADHD and other types of psychometric testing. In some instances, the specialist will give an array of tests specifically designed to screen for ADHD symptoms as well as other conditions, such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
If you're not sure where to start or have questions about finding the right health professional, it's often helpful to consult your doctor or contact an area mental health clinic for recommendations. Many adult ADHD support groups will be able to give you information about qualified professionals near you. Certain health insurance plans offer an inventory of professionals who are qualified sorted by specialty to help you find the most suitable expert for your assessment.