7 Simple Changes That'll Make A Big Difference With Your ADHD Assessment UK
ADHD Assessment in the UK
A complete diagnostic assessment is essential for a precise diagnosis. This will include screening questions that are sent out in advance and an interview with you and ideally someone you know well from your childhood, analysis of historical school reports (if they are available) as well as a thorough consultation.
The NHS has specific guidelines for ADHD evaluations. Many people prefer to visit an individual healthcare provider in order to speed up the process, and to avoid long wait lists.
What is an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is a chance for an expert in healthcare to listen to you and help you understand your issues. You will meet with a psychiatrist who is senior to get to the bottom of what is happening and how it might be impacting on your life. They will assess you using various tools such as symptom checklists and scales of behaviour. They will also look at any family history and past experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then be able determine the existence of any of the three major subtypes you may have.
The specialist will also rule-out any other medical or mental conditions that may mimic the symptoms ADHD. This is important as if you are misdiagnosed with ADHD the symptoms might not improve. The specialist will also consider the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, using the same criteria that an NHS specialist would employ.
Make a list ahead of time of any concerns or questions you might have. This will ensure that all of your needs are addressed and that nothing is left unanswered. You should also make notes of any issues you're experiencing. Having these written down can help you remember them, and can help you get an ADHD diagnosis faster and more effective.
Bring secret info to your appointment. This can include any performance evaluations from your work or old report cards from school. If you have any health or educational records that could be used to show the effect of ADHD on your life, these are useful for the specialist to have in hand also.
You may be asked to fill out pre-screening questionnaires before your appointment. You can access them by logging into your portal dashboard. They are generally available to fill out prior to your appointment with your psychiatrist. You should do this as soon as possible, as it can reduce your waiting time.
How can I obtain an ADHD assessment?
If you or your child are suffering from symptoms of ADHD being diagnosed could be the first step towards receiving 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 country who are qualified to determine the diagnosis (and prescribe medication if necessary).
The NHS will pay for an ADHD assessment with a psychiatrist or psychologist. The assessment will last between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about 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 contribute to the symptoms you are experiencing.
Your doctor will also inquire whether you've had similar problems. Current diagnostic guidelines state that ADHD can only be diagnosed at the age of an adult if symptoms have been present from childhood.
If you've had these symptoms as an adult your doctor will ask if your problems have changed or worsened over the course of time. They will also look into any other factors that can influence your symptoms, including stress and anxiety. They may also suggest that you enroll in a group-based ADHD education and support programme or suggest other treatments, such as cognitive therapy for behavior.
If you reside in England and are having difficulties accessing a NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can benefit from your Right to Choose. This means you can opt to go private if you are satisfied with the wait time for an NHS assessment or if you wish to avoid waiting. Private assessments are more expensive, but they will provide you access to treatment. Your doctor will provide you with a comprehensive report that you can present to your GP. They will also discuss any medication or other treatment options with you. If requested, they'll also send a recommendation letter your school or work place. This can be an additional charge dependent on the amount of time it takes to prepare the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD evaluation begins with a psychiatric consultation. Your doctor will go over your symptom history and ask questions about your health, development family, and lifestyle. They will also provide you with standard questionnaires. They might also request opinions from your teachers, friends coaches, spouses, or even coaches. The interviews aren't meant to criticise, but rather to discover other causes that may be causing symptoms such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
During the interview, your doctor will look at any documents you bring with them, for example, the results of previous psychological tests or old school reports. The examiner may also spend some time with someone who is familiar with your life, such as your spouse, sibling, or parent. This is done to gather information about your childhood, because you may have forgotten some details or your behavior might have changed over time.
The psychiatrist will also analyze any information you have provided on the standardised questionnaires prior to your appointment, so they have a complete picture of your symptoms. They will also examine any other historical data like old school reports, or a medical or neurodevelopmental exam. This is to make sure 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 established symptoms over the same period of time.
Your psychiatrist will then conduct a psychiatric interview in person with you after gathering all relevant information. They will then consider all the information they've collected and determine whether or not you have the symptoms of ADHD. This process involves evaluating your symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your psychiatrist determines that you do suffer from ADHD The doctor will write a report for your GP. The GP will determine a treatment plan that may include the use of pharmacological therapy (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you have a legal right to choose your preferred healthcare provider, which means you can consult your own private clinician to get an ADHD assessment should you not wish to wait for the NHS.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
Getting a professional ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing. It can aid you in getting treatment and reduce feelings of confusion or self-doubt.
The first thing you need to do if you suspect that you or your child has ADHD is to speak with an GP. They may refer you to a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals qualified in the UK to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients might have to wait months for an appointment. Many opt to go through private.
If you've been referred to an assessment the child or you will be interviewed in person by your clinician. The interview will include subjects like development, health, family history, and lifestyle. The clinician may ask to speak to other people such as teachers or daycare providers. This isn't meant to test your answers, but to discover more about the way your symptoms impact you or your child in different situations.
The doctor may also employ rating scales to determine if you experience specific symptoms, like restlessness and difficulty staying focused. This will help determine if you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also talk about whether there are any other issues that you might have, such as depression or anxiety disorders. If you have an ancestor with ADHD it is important to telling your clinician this, also, since there are genetic influences on whether or not you develop the condition.
Following the psychiatric examination your doctor will write up a comprehensive report that you can bring to your GP. The report will include a thorough diagnosis as well as a treatment recommendation.
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD Your GP might suggest a test of medication. If the medication works, you need to tell your insurance company as well as the DVLA as you will need to update your driving license. If you are parents of children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, your therapist might suggest attending a parenting group to learn how to manage the disorder together. This will improve your relationship with your child, and make you a more confident and understanding parent.