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ADHD Diagnosis ADHD is a complex condition. It can affect anyone from childhood to adulthood. With NHS service waiting times at an record high, a few people are opting to pay for private ADHD assessments and prescriptions. The recent documentary by BBC Panorama raised concerns that some of these services were not up to standard. What is an ADHD diagnosis? Your psychiatrist will issue a clinical diagnosis of ADHD based on the symptoms, your developmental history and your behavioural patterns. They will ask you to complete various questionnaires, and then interview you to develop a picture of your condition. Some of these are common questionnaires that all psychiatrists utilize and some are unique to them, so every clinic and psychiatrist has their own set of tests and questions they prefer to use. A psychiatrist may also want to review your family medical and psychiatric histories along with your current symptoms. In most cases, they will ask you about how your symptoms affect you at work, at home and in other situations. They will then determine if your symptoms are in line with the guidelines for treating mental illness set by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). To be considered to have ADHD, your symptoms must be present in at least two different settings (home, school and/or social situations) and significantly affect your ability to function. The symptoms must have begun before you reached the age of 12 old, and they must be present for a lengthy period of time. In addition, you must meet the criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations of ADHD to get a diagnosis. During the interview your psychiatrist will examine how your symptoms impact your life right now and if they've been present since the age of. They will also determine if there are any other conditions that may explain your symptoms. For instance sleep disorders, anxiety or depression. It is important to be aware that a lot of adults suffering from ADHD have a poor understanding of their childhood experiences, especially when they have had an unhappy childhood. This can make it difficult for people with ADHD to recognize ADHD symptoms in the present. Your doctor may have to interview your family members like your spouse or partner, to collect more information about your childhood. You can find a health professional who specialises in ADHD evaluations by asking your primary care physician for a referral, consulting with the staff at a local university-based hospital or contacting an office for mental health. You can also join an online support group for those who suffer from ADHD and request recommendations. Why do I require an ADHD assessment? If you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD, it's crucial to have a complete diagnosis before beginning any treatment. It's impossible to determine ADHD by taking an online test or questionnaire. Only an expert in health care can conduct an exhaustive assessment and come up with an accurate diagnosis. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause major problems with work, relationships and well-being. If your GP is aware that you think you might be suffering from ADHD, they will consider you a serious patient and request details of your past and present. They may recommend you to an NHS screening assessment that includes an interview with a clinician and the completion of a number of validated ADHD scales. You'll also be asked to fill out questionnaires with people who know you well, such as family members or close friends. This will allow the healthcare professional to gain a better understanding of your behaviour, and how it impacts others. For instance, a person with high IQ may have developed strategies to deal with their symptoms of ADHD for example, using technology to keep track of appointments, but their spouse might be able to see that they are struggling to remember things. Private healthcare professionals are not allowed to bend the rules simply because they pay for their assessment. They must still adhere to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines for ADHD assessments. The process may be quicker than waiting for an NHS appointment. A ADHD assessment can help you identify the root cause of your issues and how best to tackle these issues, while also getting you on the right track with medication. If you decide to begin treatment for ADHD, it's best to get your GP sign a shared-care agreement with your private physician (so you only pay for the NHS prescription cost) and they can monitor your progress and advise on any changes. This will help ensure that you're receiving the most effective and appropriate treatment for your needs. If you're interested in getting an ADHD assessment, contact one of our brain and mental experts at a Priory hospital or wellbeing centre today. What is the outcome if I fail to get a diagnosis? ADHD symptoms can differ between individuals and their manifestations can change with time. This is why an accurate diagnosis is difficult to get, especially for adults, despite numerous GPs taking their concerns seriously. This is also the reason why certain people are more difficult than others to access NHS services. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and it can sometimes take years for someone to get evaluated. A person may not be able to find an employment opportunity or their relationship could suffer. Adults who aren't diagnosed are at a higher chance of having serious issues like mood disorders and substance abuse. Undiagnosed adults can suffer from extreme sadness or anxiety, and may be forced to accept a life without the motivation and success they would have enjoyed when they were diagnosed and treated. The good news is that if you have been struggling to cope with your ADHD, it is possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. It is important to carefully choose a specialist if you decide to have your assessment done in private. Do your research and ask for recommendations from your family and friends before making any decision. Check whether they have the right qualifications and credentials, and talk to previous clients or patients about their experiences with them. A specialist with the right education can utilize a variety of tools to determine ADHD. These include questionnaires, interviews and medical examinations. The main goal of the diagnosis is to rule out other reasons, like learning disabilities or emotional issues that are difficult to differentiate from ADHD. During an ADHD evaluation, the specialist will interview you or your partner to discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. They may also utilize an DSM-5 checklist of symptoms as well as other psychometric tests to gauge the severity of your symptoms. Stimulant medications improve ADHD symptoms in about 70% of adults and children, and it has been used to treat ADHD since 1937. It is an extremely efficient treatment since it has a positive effect on mood, and may help to stabilize brain function. How do I obtain an ADHD diagnosis? A healthcare professional will conduct an interview with you or your children to determine if they have ADHD. They will ask you or your child questions regarding their behavior in different situations like at school and at home. They may also use rating scales to help identify symptoms, like inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. They will need to know if your symptoms or those of your child were present since childhood and if these symptoms have affected your daily functioning. They will also want to know if your or your child's symptoms may be related to other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. About 90% of ADHD sufferers have co-occurring disorders, which is why it's essential to determine if they are. A private healthcare provider can also ask for permission to speak with your family, teachers, friends, and religious leaders, scout coach, or scout scout leaders. They'll need to know how your or your child's behavior affects their daily activities They will also be asked about any history of abuse or trauma. The healthcare professional will explain the reason they don't think a diagnosis of ADHD is appropriate. It could be due to the fact that they do not think the symptoms are severe enough, or they are better explained by a different condition. A referral from your family doctor is a great option to get an ADHD assessment. If private adhd assessments don't have a family physician you can contact your insurance provider for recommendations or join an organization that offers support for mental health in your area. Bring any relevant records including psychological, medical education, employment, and other to your appointment. The health care professional might require your complete social and family history and may conduct a physical exam. After having reviewed all the information after which the health professional will be able to determine if you or your child is suffering from ADHD. They will then suggest treatment, such as medication, if needed. If you are planning to utilize the NHS prescription service to get your medication, it's worth checking with them first to determine if they accept a private diagnosis that is NHS-accredited of ADHD.