why not look here - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Adults frequently look for ADHD assessments because they feel that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships.
According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales you have a right to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE Guidelines and will also seek observer reports from people who know you well, especially as you were a child.
What is an ADHD assessment?
Getting an ADHD assessment is the first step in finding out if you or your child have this condition. You will be interviewed by an approved specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may use checklists and behavior ratings scales to assess your symptoms. They may also ask people who are familiar with your condition. They could also request your medical history as well as physical examination to rule out other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD.
It's important to be honest and open during your assessment. If you're not truthful, the examiner might think that you're not serious about getting a diagnosis or that your symptoms don't seem like they're that serious. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to provide details about your mental health history and those of your family members, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire or complete a behavioral rating scale, and you'll probably have to be attentive to what you're doing during your assessment.
To get a diagnosis, you must have at least six symptoms of ADHD that appear in more than one setting like home and school, and disrupt your life. The symptoms must have begun in childhood, before age 12, and they can't be explained by another disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred back to your GP to seek treatment, or choose to see an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in ADHD.
The waiting times are shorter if you decide to opt for private. It's not uncommon to have to wait for more than a year for an assessment on the NHS and it could be a major blow for those who are struggling in the meantime. Some people on the waiting list have committed suicide due to the fact that they couldn't bear the frustration and anxiety of waiting for an assessment. Private treatment usually allows you to begin treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have years of experience treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen for and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety or depression.
What is the reason I need an assessment?
If you suspect you have ADHD, or are experiencing problems in your daily routine that could be caused by it you should have an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. Ideally, this will be performed by a psychiatrist who has experience in working with neurodevelopmental conditions and ADHD specifically. There are psychologists and psychotherapists who are able to perform this type of assessment. If you are unsure which one to go with the best option is to seek advice from your physician or another therapist that you know. You can also search the internet to locate specialists in your area that have a good reputation. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of professionals who are certified.
The process of getting a complete diagnostic will include questions and a structured discussion with the specialist. The main focus will be on your symptoms in the present work, family and social context. The psychiatrist will ask you about your history of symptoms in your adolescent and childhood, but will also concentrate on the impact that your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also assess if you have any other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Based on the professional and the circumstances, they may seek information from close family and friends. You might also be asked to bring old school reports or documents to be reviewed. This is a difficult part of the process, since it can be difficult to recall details about your difficulties in childhood or adolescence.
The process may be more difficult if you are or belong to a minority group or gender non-conforming (GGN). In the UK for instance the people of color, GNCs, and females aren't diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are obvious. It can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. However, GPs may refer you to a private specialist such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre for an assessment. You can also sign a shared-care agreement with your GP to make the process easier. However it is not the case for all GPs to be able to do this.
How can I get an assessment?
Your primary healthcare provider is your GP, and they are the ideal person to refer you for an assessment. Alternately, you can call a private specialist like Priory and organise an appointment yourself. Priory's specialist psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults and can provide a range of treatment options.
If your GP decides that you should be referred to a specialist, they will request you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to complete a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard. They must be completed at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. They are designed to identify behaviors that may indicate the presence 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 assuming that you live within a catchment area currently providing this service. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment, including looking at other conditions that may mimic the symptoms of ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
It's essential to note any other mental health problems you may have, or that have been previously diagnosed in your family, since these could affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. You can also provide any feedback or reports from your teachers, supervisors, and colleagues. Also, you can provide information about any help that you receive at home, for example through an GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
After the psychiatrist has completed their assessment, they will discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they will offer a plan of care that may include prescriptions for medication. The care plan will outline any other support they feel you would benefit from, such as a referral to counseling or talk therapy.
We understand that it may be challenging to get the help you need if your social or health care needs are complex. That's why we offer an anonymous, free phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help you determine what assistance might be available to you. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an assessment of eligibility for government-funded programs such as Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD is among the first steps in gaining control over symptoms that can cause serious problems in a variety of situations, from home to work. A typical evaluation consists of an extensive interview conducted by a knowledgeable professional and a variety of psychometric tests. This information can be used to determine how the symptoms affect a person and if they are caused by medical conditions or other issues.
A thorough assessment requires collecting detailed information about the person's history, particularly when symptoms started and the length of time they have been present. The doctor will also want to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, which includes work, school and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that considers whether the person has lost their job because of their difficulties with managing their time, suffered from extreme stress and conflict in their marriage or been put on academic probation for poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by a skilled clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who is certified to conduct ADHD tests. While professionals may differ in their methods and the tools they employ, certain protocols are considered essential for a thorough evaluation. These include a detailed clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and other forms of psychometric tests. In some cases the specialist will administer a series of tests designed to detect ADHD and other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders.
If you're not sure where to start or are unsure of how to find the right health specialist, it's best to ask your personal doctor or contact an area mental health clinic for suggestions. Many support groups for adults with ADHD will also be in a position to offer information on qualified professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans include specialists with specializations and can assist you in finding the right specialist for your evaluation.