ADHD Assessment in the UK
A thorough assessment of your diagnosis is required for a correct diagnosis. This will include screening questionnaires distributed prior to, an interview with you, an individual who has been with you since childhood, a review of historical school reports (if available) and a full mental health consultation.
The NHS has guidelines that must be followed in order to make an ADHD assessment. Many people opt to consult an independent healthcare provider to speed up the process, and avoid lengthy waiting lists.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for an expert in healthcare to listen to you and comprehend your issues. You will be working with a psychiatrist who is senior to discover the root of the issue and how it could be impacting on your life. They will assess you using various tools including symptoms checklists and scales for assessing your behaviour. They will also consider any family history or previous experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then be able confirm which of the three primary subtypes of mental illness you may have.
The doctor will also rule out any other mental or medical conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. gp adhd assessment is vital since if a different condition is mistakenly attributed to ADHD it could mean that you are treated incorrectly and the symptoms of your ADHD might not improve. The specialist will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and how these affect your daily functioning with the same criteria as an NHS specialist.
It is an excellent idea to create a list of concerns or questions you're facing ahead of time. This will ensure that all your needs are addressed and that no detail is left unanswered. It is also a good idea to make an outline of any particular difficulties you have been experiencing. Writing them down will aid in remembering them and will aid in getting an ADHD diagnosis faster and more efficient.
You should also bring any relevant paperwork with you to your appointment. You can bring old school or work report cards or even performance evaluations. You can also help the expert by bringing any documents you may have that prove how ADHD has affected your life.
You might be asked to fill out pre-screening questions before your appointment. They can be accessed through your portal dashboard and will usually be ready to fill out prior to when you meet with the psychiatrist. You should do this as soon as you can, as it can reduce your waiting time.
How can I obtain an ADHD assessment?
A diagnosis of ADHD could be the first step to get the assistance and support you need. In the UK, doctors cannot diagnose ADHD. However they can refer a patient for assessment to a psychiatrist.
An NHS-funded ADHD assessment will involve a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist and typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes. You will be asked questions regarding your general mental health, your family's mental health history and the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor will also assess any other medical or psychological issues that could contribute to the symptoms you're experiencing.
In addition to asking about your current symptoms, your specialist will also inquire if you've experienced similar issues in the past. Current guidelines for diagnosing ADHD indicate that ADHD is only diagnosed as an adult if symptoms have been evident since childhood.
If you've had these symptoms since adulthood, your specialist will ask whether your symptoms have improved over time. They will also examine any other factors that may cause your symptoms, such as anxiety and stress. They might also suggest that you take a group-based ADHD education and support program or suggest alternative treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy.
If you live in England and are having trouble getting an NHS-funded ADHD evaluation, you can avail your Right to Choose. You can decide to take a private assessment in the event that the NHS wait time is too long or you don't want to wait around at all. Private assessments are more expensive but will give you direct access to treatment. Your specialist will prepare a comprehensive report for you to present to your GP and will discuss any recommended medications or other treatment options with you. If you request, they'll also send a recommendation letter your workplace or school. The cost of the letter will depend on the time it takes to prepare the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD evaluation begins with a psychiatric interview. Your doctor will review your symptom history and ask you questions about your health, development and family life. They will also provide you with standard questionnaires. They may also interview other people, such as spouses, siblings or parents and may also ask friends, teachers or coaches for their opinion too. The interviews are not designed to criticise you, but to help identify other factors that may be causing your symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
During the appointment the doctor will examine any records you bring along like evaluations of your performance at work, copies of previous psychological test results, or even old school reports. The examiner may also be able to spend time with someone who knows you well such as your spouse, sibling, or even your parent. This is to gather information on your childhood experiences, as you might have forgotten certain details or the behaviours might have changed with age.
The psychiatrist will also analyze any information you have provided in the standardised questionnaires prior the appointment, to ensure they have a complete picture of your symptoms. They will also examine any other data from the past like old school reports, or a medical or neurodevelopmental exam. This is to ensure 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. For adults, this is at least five established symptoms in the same time.
Once they have gathered all relevant details the psychiatrist will conduct an in-person clinical interview with you. The psychiatrist will review the information collected to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. This process involves evaluating your symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your psychiatrist decides that you do have ADHD, they will write a report for your GP. The doctor will then choose the best treatment plan for you, which may involve the use of pharmacological (medication) or psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the option of choosing your healthcare provider. If you do not want to wait for an ADHD assessment from the NHS, you can see your own private doctor.
What happens after a ADHD assessment?
A professional ADHD diagnosis could transform your life. It can help you access treatment and also reduce feelings of doubt and confusion about your symptoms.
If you suspect that you or your child are suffering from ADHD The first step is to speak with an GP. They can refer you directly to a psychologist or psychiatrist who is the only UK healthcare professional certified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients are able to wait for months for an appointment, which is why many choose to use private instead.
If you've been recommended for an assessment the child or you will be interviewed in person by the clinician. The interview will include topics like development, health, family history, and lifestyle. The physician may also want to speak to other people, such as teachers, coaches or daycare providers. This isn't meant to test your answers, but to learn more about how your symptoms affect your child or yourself in different situations.
The doctor may also use rating scales to determine how often you experience specific symptoms, like restlessness and difficulty staying focused. This will help determine if you have the standard criteria for ADHD. They will also talk about whether there are any other issues that you might have such as anxiety or depression. If you have an ancestor with ADHD it is worthwhile telling your physician about this also, since there are genetic influences on the likelihood of developing the disorder.
Your clinician will prepare a comprehensive report that you can present to your GP following the psychiatric assessment. The report will include a thorough diagnosis and a treatment recommendation.
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your GP may suggest a trial of medication. If the medication works you must inform your insurance company and DVLA, because you will need to update your driving licence. If you're parents of one of your children who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your therapist might suggest attending a parenting group to learn how to manage the condition together. This can improve your relationship with your child and make you an even more confident parent.