ADHD Assessment in the UK
A thorough assessment of your diagnosis is required for a correct diagnosis. This will involve screening questionnaires distributed prior to, an interview with you, ideally someone who has a good understanding of you since childhood, an analysis of your historical school reports (if available) and a complete psychotherapy consultation.
The NHS has specific guidelines for ADHD evaluations. Many people prefer to go to an individual healthcare provider to accelerate the process and avoid long waiting lists.
What is an ADHD assessment?
A healthcare professional will listen to your concerns and help you understand them through an ADHD assessment. You will work with an experienced psychiatrist to determine what is going on and how it could be affecting your life. They will evaluate you using various tools such as symptoms checklists and scales of behaviour. They will also take into account any family history of mental health problems and your previous experiences. The psychiatrist can then confirm which of three major subtypes that you may have.
The specialist will also confirm the absence of any other mental or medical conditions that may be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. This is very important since if a different condition is mistakenly attributed to ADHD it could mean that you are misdiagnosed and the symptoms of your ADHD may not improve. The specialist will also evaluate the severity of the symptoms and how they affect your daily life with the same criteria as an NHS specialist.
It is a good idea to prepare a list of questions or concerns you have ahead of time. This will ensure that your requirements are satisfied and that nothing is overlooked. It is also important to make notes of any issues you're experiencing. Noting them down will aid in remembering them, and can make the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis much faster and more efficient.
It is also recommended to bring any relevant documents with you to your appointment. You may bring old school or work report cards or even performance evaluations. If you have any medical or educational records that can be used to show the effects of ADHD on your life, these are helpful for the specialist to have in hand as well.
You might be asked to fill out questionnaires for pre-screening prior to your appointment. These can be accessed when you log in to your portal dashboard. They are generally available to complete prior to meeting with your psychiatrist. It is recommended to do this as soon as you can, because it will reduce your waiting time.
How do I get an ADHD assessment?
If you or your child is suffering from symptoms of ADHD, a diagnosis may be the first step to getting the help and support you require. In the UK the GP 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 when needed).
The NHS will pay for an ADHD assessment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. This will take between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health as well as your family's history of mental health and the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor will also examine any other psychological or medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms you are experiencing.
In addition to asking about your current symptoms, your specialist will also inquire if you've experienced similar issues in the past. This is because current guidelines for diagnosing ADHD suggest that you can only be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood when your symptoms have been present since childhood.
If you've been experiencing these symptoms since you were a teenager, your specialist will ask whether your symptoms have improved over time. They will also look at any other factors that may cause your symptoms, such as stress and anxiety. They might also suggest that you participate in a group-based ADHD support and education programme or provide recommendations for other treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy.
If you're having trouble getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can make use of your Right to Choose If you reside in England. This means that you have the option to go private if you are happy with the wait time for an NHS assessment or if you want to avoid waiting altogether. Private assessments can be more expensive but will give you direct access to treatment. Your specialist will provide you with a detailed report that you can present to your GP. They will also discuss any other treatment options they recommend to you. If requested, they'll also provide recommendation letter to your school or work place. The cost will vary based on the time it takes to prepare the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
A psychiatric evaluation is the first step in an ADHD assessment. Your doctor will go over your symptom history and ask you questions about your health, development family, and lifestyle. They will also send you standard questionnaires. They might also solicit opinions from teachers, friends and coaches, as well as spouses. The interviews aren't meant to criticize, but to determine other factors that could be causing symptoms such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
During the interview, your doctor may examine any documents you bring with them, like copies of previous psychological tests or old school reports. The evaluator may also spend some time with someone who is familiar with your life such as your spouse, sibling or parent. This is to collect information about your childhood, because you may have forgotten certain particulars or your behavior may have changed over time.
The psychiatrist will also go over the information you gave on the standardised questions prior to your appointment to ensure that they can gain an accurate understanding of your symptoms. They will also look at any other data from your past like old school records or a neurological or medical 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 symptoms that have been established over the same period of time.
Your doctor will then conduct a medical interview in person with you after gathering all the relevant details. The psychiatrist will go over all the data gathered to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. This involves assessing your symptoms by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your psychiatrist decides that you do suffer from ADHD They will prepare a report for your GP. The GP will decide on 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 the right to choose your healthcare provider. If you don't wish to wait until you receive an ADHD assessment from the NHS you can consult your own private clinician.
What happens after a ADHD assessment?
Getting a professional ADHD diagnosis can transform your life. It can assist you in getting treatment and lessen feelings of confusion or self-doubt.
The first thing to do if you suspect you or your child may have ADHD is to speak with your GP. They may refer you to a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals certified in the UK to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients have to wait months to get a referral, so many opt to seek out private therapy instead.
Once you have been referred for an assessment, the doctor will meet with you or your child in person. The interview will cover subjects like development, health family history, lifestyle. The clinician may also ask to speak to other people, like teachers, coaches or daycare providers. This isn't to check your answers, but rather to learn more about the way your symptoms impact you or your child in different situations.
The doctor will employ ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain symptoms such as trouble staying focused or restlessness. This will identify whether you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. getting an assessment for adhd will also talk about whether there are any other issues that you might have such as depression or anxiety disorders. It is crucial to inform your clinician if you have an family history of ADHD in your family. Genetics can affect whether you develop the condition.
Following the psychiatric examination, your clinician will write up a comprehensive report that you can bring to your GP. The report will include a thorough diagnosis and a treatment recommendation.
If you've been diagnosed as an adult with ADHD, your GP may recommend that you try a medication. If the medication works, you need to tell your insurance company and DVLA in order to be required to renew your driving license. Your therapist might suggest that you and your child take a parenting class to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can help improve your relationship with your child and make you an empathetic and confident parent.