ADHD Assessment in the UK
A complete diagnostic evaluation is vital for a precise diagnosis. This includes screening questionnaires distributed prior to and an interview with you and an individual who has been with you since childhood, analysis of historic school reports (if available) and a full mental health consultation.
The NHS has guidelines that must be followed in order to conduct an ADHD assessment. However, many opt to consult private healthcare providers to expedite the process and avoid long waiting lists.
What is an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for an expert in healthcare to listen to you and comprehend your issues. You will work with a qualified psychiatrist to discover what's happening and how it may be impacting your life. They will evaluate you using various tools including checklists of symptoms and scales for assessing your behaviour. They will also take into consideration any family history and past experiences with mental health issues. The psychiatrist will then be able to confirm which of three main subtypes you may be suffering from.
The doctor will also rule out any other mental or medical conditions that may mimic the symptoms ADHD. This is crucial because if you are misdiagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms may not improve. The expert will also evaluate the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily functioning by with the same criteria an NHS specialist would use.
Make a note in advance of any questions or concerns you might have. This will 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 difficulties you have been experiencing. You will be able to remember these issues better when you record them. This will also make the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis more efficient.
Bring any relevant paperwork to your appointment. This could include any performance evaluations from your job or old reports from school. You can also aid the expert by bringing any records you may have that show how ADHD has affected your life.
You might be asked to complete pre-screening questions prior to your appointment. You can access these by logging in to your portal dashboard. They are usually available for you to complete prior to meeting with the psychiatrist. This should be done as early as possible to reduce your waiting time.
How do I get an ADHD assessment?
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of ADHD, a diagnosis may be the first step to getting the help and support you require. In the UK, GPs cannot diagnose ADHD but can refer for an assessment to a psychologist or psychiatrist who are the only healthcare professionals in the nation who are qualified to determine the diagnosis (and prescribe medication when needed).
The NHS will pay for an ADHD assessment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. The assessment will last between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions regarding your general mental health and your family's mental health history, and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also look at any other medical or psychological conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms you are experiencing.
Your doctor will also ask whether you've experienced similar issues. Current diagnostic guidelines state that ADHD is only diagnosed as an adult if symptoms have been present since childhood.
If you have had these symptoms in your adult life your doctor will ask whether your issues have changed or worsened over the course of time. They will also consider any other factors that could affect your symptoms, like stress and anxiety. They may also recommend that you take an online group-based ADHD support and education programme or provide recommendations for other therapies like cognitive behavior therapy.
If you're having trouble accessing an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can take advantage of your Right to Choose If you reside in England. This means that you can choose to take a private assessment if you are satisfied with the wait time for an NHS assessment or if you want to avoid waiting. try this out can be more expensive but will give you direct access to treatment. Your specialist will provide with a thorough report that you can take to your GP. They will also discuss any other treatment options with you. They can also provide letters of recommendation to your workplace or school upon request. This could be an additional expense depending on the length of time required to write the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD evaluation begins with a psychiatric assessment. Your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health, lifestyle as well as your family and development. They will also utilize standard questionnaires that will be mailed to you beforehand. They might also solicit opinions from teachers, friends coaches, spouses, or even coaches. The interviews aren't designed to judge you, but to determine other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, for example depression or anxiety.
During the interview, your doctor may examine any documents you bring in, such as copies of your previous psychological tests or old school reports. The evaluator may also visit with someone who is familiar with your life such as your spouse, sibling or even your parent. This is primarily 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 the information you've provided in the standardised questionnaires prior your appointment, so they have an overview of your symptoms. They will also examine any other historical data such as school records from the past or a neurological or medical examination. This is to make sure that you meet the 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 exhibit at least five signs that have been identified within the same timeframe.
Your doctor will then conduct a medical interview in your presence after collecting all relevant information. The psychiatrist will review the information collected to determine if you have ADHD symptoms. This usually involves reading through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-V) rating scales to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria.
If your doctor determines that you do suffer from ADHD, they will submit a report to your GP. The GP will then choose the best treatment plan for you, which may involve medication (medication) or psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you have the legal right to choose your preferred healthcare provider, which means you can consult your own private doctor for an ADHD assessment in the event that you don't want to wait for the NHS.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
Getting a professional ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing. It can help you access treatment, and it could reduce the feeling of anxiety and self-doubt regarding your symptoms.
The first thing you need to do if you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD is to talk to a GP. They may refer you to a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals who are certified in the UK to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients could wait for months for a referral. Many opt to go private.
After you've been referred to an assessment, your clinician will meet with you or your child in person. The interview will include topics like development, health, family history, and lifestyle. The doctor may also ask you to speak to other people such as teachers or daycare providers. This is not to check your answers but to learn how your symptoms impact your child or you in different situations.
The clinician will also use rating scales to determine how often you experience certain symptoms, such as restlessness and trouble staying focused. This will help determine if you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also talk about whether there are any other problems that you may be suffering from like anxiety or depression. If you have an ancestral history of ADHD it is important to notifying your doctor about this too, as there are genetic influences on the likelihood of developing the condition.
Your doctor will prepare an extensive report that you can take to your GP following the psychiatric examination. This will include a detailed diagnosis and a treatment recommendation.
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 take a medication. If the medication is successful, you should tell the DVLA and your insurance company, since you'll have to update your driver's license. If you're a parent with children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, your therapist could suggest that you attend a group for parents to learn more about managing the condition together. This can improve your relationship with your child and assist you in becoming an empathetic and confident parent.
