ADHD Assessment in the UK<br /><br />A complete diagnostic evaluation is necessary 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, a review of historical school reports (if available) and a complete psychiatric consultation.<br /><br />The NHS has guidelines to be followed in order to conduct an ADHD assessment. However, many opt to go through a private healthcare provider to expedite the process and avoid long waiting lists.<br /><br />What is an ADHD assessment?<br /><br />A healthcare professional will listen to your concerns and assist you to understand them through an ADHD assessment. You will be working with a qualified psychiatrist to discover what's going on and how it may be impacting your daily life. They will evaluate you using various tools including checklists of symptoms and scales of behaviour. They will also consider the family history of your parents and any previous experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then confirm which of three main subtypes you may be suffering from.<br /><br />The specialist will also rule-out any other mental or medical conditions that could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is important because if you are misdiagnosed with ADHD the symptoms might not improve. The expert will also assess the severity of the symptoms and how they affect your daily life by using the same criteria as an NHS specialist.<br /><br />It is recommended to make a list of questions or concerns that you're facing ahead of time. This will ensure that your needs are met and that no need is left unanswered. It is also important to make note of any difficulties you're having. Writing them down will aid in remembering them, and help you get an ADHD diagnosis much faster and more effective.<br /><br />It is recommended that you bring any relevant paperwork with you 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 documents you may have that prove how ADHD has affected your life.<br /><br />You may also be asked to complete screening questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be completed by logging into your portal dashboard and will typically be ready to fill out prior to when you meet with the psychiatrist. You should do this as soon as possible, because it will reduce your waiting time.<br /><br />How can I get an ADHD assessment?<br /><br />A diagnosis of ADHD may be the first step towards getting the help and support you require. In the UK the GP cannot diagnose ADHD but can refer for an assessment to a psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals in the country qualified to make the diagnosis (and prescribe medication if necessary).<br /><br />An NHS-funded ADHD assessment will be with a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist. It typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes. You will be asked questions regarding your mental health, your family's mental health history, and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also consider any other psychological and medical conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms.<br /><br />Your specialist will also ask you whether you've experienced similar issues. This is because the current guidelines for diagnosis state that you will only be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood if your symptoms have been present since the age of.<br /><br />If you have had these symptoms in your adult life, your specialist will ask whether your symptoms have progressed or worsened over time. They will also consider any other factors that may affect your symptoms, including stress and anxiety. They might also suggest that you try an online group-based ADHD support and education programme or suggest alternative therapies like cognitive behavior therapy.<br /><br />If you live in England and are having difficulty getting a NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you are able to benefit from your Right to Choose. You can decide to go private in the event that the NHS wait time is too long or you don't want to wait at all. Private assessments are more expensive however they provide direct treatment. Your specialist will write an extensive report for you to bring to your GP and will go over any recommended medication or other treatment options with you. They can also provide letters of recommendation to your workplace or school if requested. The cost will vary based on the amount of time required to prepare the letter.<br /><br />What happens during an ADHD assessment?<br /><br />A psychiatric evaluation is the first step in an ADHD assessment. Your doctor will ask questions about your health, lifestyle family, development, and lifestyle. They will also utilize standard questionnaires which will be sent to you prior to your appointment. They will also interview other people, such as spouses, siblings or parents as well as ask your friends and teachers for their opinions too. The interviews aren't designed to be a critique, but to discover other causes that might be causing symptoms, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.<br /><br />During the interview, your doctor might look at any documents you bring in, for example, copies of your previous psychological tests or old school reports. The evaluator will also spend time talking to the person who is the closest to you for example, siblings, spouses or parent. This is mostly to gather information on your childhood experiences, as you might have forgotten some specifics or your behaviours may have changed as you got older.<br /><br /><br /><br />The psychiatrist will also analyse any information you've given on the standardised questionnaires prior to the appointment, to ensure they will have a clear picture of your symptoms. They will also examine any other historical data such as school records from the past or a medical or neurological exam. 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. For adults, this means at least five confirmed symptoms in the same time.<br /><br />Your psychiatrist will then conduct a medical interview in person with you after gathering all the relevant details. The psychiatrist will go over all the information collected to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. This means evaluating your symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).<br /><br />If your psychiatrist determines that you do suffer from ADHD They will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then choose the most appropriate treatment plan which could include the use of pharmacological (medication) or psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you have a legal right to choose your own healthcare provider, so you can consult your own private physician to get an ADHD assessment in the event that you don't want to wait for the NHS.<br /><br />What happens after a ADHD assessment?<br /><br />Getting a professional ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing. It can assist you in obtaining treatment and also reduce feelings of anxiety and self-doubt regarding your symptoms.<br /><br />If you suspect that you or your child have ADHD, the first step is to discuss it with your GP. They can direct you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is the only UK healthcare professional who is qualified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients may be waiting for months to receive a referral. Many choose to go private.<br /><br />After you have been directed to an assessment and/or your child will be interviewed in person by your clinician. The interview will cover issues like development, health and family history, and lifestyle. The doctor may also request to speak with other people, such as coaches, teachers or daycare providers. This is not to check your answers, but rather to discover how your symptoms impact your child or different situations.<br /><br />The doctor will employ ratings scales to determine the frequency of certain symptoms like anxiety or difficulty focusing. This will determine if you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also determine if there are any other issues that you may be suffering from, such as depression or anxiety disorders. It is important to tell your physician if there is a any background of ADHD in your family. Genetics can influence the likelihood of developing the condition.<br /><br />Your clinician will prepare a comprehensive report that you can take to your GP after the psychiatric evaluation. This will include a detailed diagnosis as well as a treatment recommendation.<br /><br />If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your GP might suggest a test of medication. If the medication is effective you must inform your insurance company as well as the DVLA, because you will have to update your driving licence. Your therapist might suggest that you and your child go to an educational class for parents to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can improve your relationship with your child, and assist you in becoming an empathetic and confident parent.<br /><br />