ADHD Assessment in the UK
A thorough assessment of your diagnosis is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. This includes screening questionnaires sent out beforehand as well as an interview with you and ideally someone who has been with you since childhood, an analysis of your 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. However, many people choose to use a private healthcare provider to expedite the process and avoid long waiting lists.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for an expert in healthcare to listen to you and help you understand your difficulties. You will be working with a psychiatrist who is senior to determine the root of what's happening and how it could be impacting your life. They will evaluate you using various tools such as symptoms checklists and behaviour rating scales. They will also take into account any family history of mental health problems and your previous experiences. The psychiatrist will then be able to determine which of the three primary subtypes you might have.
The specialist will also rule-out any other mental or medical disorders that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. This is important because if you are misdiagnosed with ADHD, your symptoms may not improve. The specialist will also assess the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life using the same criteria an NHS specialist would employ.
Make a list ahead of time of any questions or concerns you might have. This will ensure that your needs are satisfied and that nothing is missed. You should also take a note about any difficulties you are experiencing. Noting them down will aid in remembering them, and can aid in getting an ADHD diagnosis faster and more effective.
Bring any relevant paperwork to your appointment. This can include any performance evaluations from your job, or old report cards from school. If you have any health or educational records that can be used to demonstrate the impact of ADHD on your life, these records are beneficial for the doctor to have as well.
You may also be asked to complete pre-screening questionnaires before your appointment. You can access these by logging into your portal dashboard. They are generally available for you to complete prior to meeting with your psychiatrist. This should be done as soon as you can and will cut down the time you wait.
How do I get an ADHD assessment?
A diagnosis of ADHD may be the first step towards getting the support and help you require. In the UK the GP cannot diagnose ADHD however they can refer an assessment to a psychologist or psychiatrist who are the only healthcare professionals in the country qualified to make the diagnosis (and prescribe medication if necessary).
The NHS will pay for an ADHD assessment by a psychologist or psychiatrist. This will take between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your mental health in general and the history of mental health of your family and your symptoms. The specialist will also consider any other medical and psychological conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Your specialist will also inquire whether you've had similar problems. The current diagnostic guidelines state that ADHD is only diagnosed as an adult when symptoms have been evident since childhood.
If you've experienced these symptoms in your adult life, your specialist will ask if your problems have changed or worsened over the course of time. They will also examine any other factors that can affect your symptoms, like anxiety and stress. They may also suggest that you enroll in an online group-based ADHD education and support programme or refer you to other treatments, such as cognitive therapy for behavior.
If you live in England and are having trouble getting an NHS-funded ADHD evaluation, you can avail your Right to Choose. 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 wish to avoid waiting for an assessment altogether. Private assessments are more costly, but they give you direct treatment. Your specialist will write complete reports for you to present to your GP and will go over any recommended medications or other treatment options with you. If requested, they will also provide recommendation letter to your school or work place. This could be an additional cost dependent on the amount of time taken to prepare the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment starts with a psychiatric assessment. Your doctor will ask you questions regarding your lifestyle, health as well as your family and development. They will also send you standard questionnaires. They will also interview other people, including spouses, siblings or parents and may also ask friends and teachers for their opinions too. The interviews aren't designed to criticise you, but rather to help identify other causes that could be contributing to your symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
During the appointment your doctor will take a examine any records you bring with you, such as the results of your work performance as well as copies of your previous psychological test results, or even old school reports. The evaluator might also spend some time with someone who is familiar with your life, such as your spouse, sibling or even your parent. This is to collect details about your childhood, as you might have forgotten specific details or your behavior might have changed over time.
The psychiatrist will also review any information you have provided in the standardised questionnaires prior your appointment, so that they have an overview of your symptoms. They will also review any other information from your past, like old school records or a neurological or medical examination. This is to ensure 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. Adults must exhibit at least five signs that have been identified during the same time frame.
After they have gathered all the relevant information, your doctor will conduct a personal clinical interview with you. They will review the information they've gathered and determine if you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD. This process involves evaluating your symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD If he or she determines that you have ADHD, they will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then decide on a treatment plan that could include pharmacological treatment (medication) and 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 until you receive an ADHD assessment from the NHS, you can see your own private clinician.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
A professional ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing. It can assist you in getting treatment and lessen feelings of confusion or self-doubt.
The first thing you should do if you suspect that you or your child is suffering from ADHD is to talk to a GP. They can refer you directly to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is the only UK healthcare professional qualified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients have to wait months to get an appointment, which is why many opt to seek out private therapy instead.
If you've been referred to an assessment, your clinician will conduct an interview with you or your child in person. The interview will cover subjects like growth, health and family history, as well as lifestyle. The doctor may request to speak to other individuals such as teachers or daycare providers. This is not a way to verify your answers but to learn how your symptoms affect your child or different situations.
The doctor will employ ratings scales to determine the frequency of specific symptoms such as anxiety or difficulty focusing. This will identify whether you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also determine whether you suffer from any other issues, like depression and anxiety disorders. If you have an ancestor with ADHD it is worthwhile telling your physician about this as there are genetic influences on whether or not you develop the condition.
After the psychiatric evaluation your doctor will write up a comprehensive report for you to take to your GP. The report will contain an extensive diagnosis and recommended treatment.
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD Your GP might suggest a test of medication. If adhd assessment liverpool is important to inform your insurance company and DVLA, because you will be required to renew your driving license. If you're a parent with children who have been diagnosed with ADHD Your therapist may recommend that you attend an adult group to learn how to manage the disorder with your child. This will improve your relationship with your child, and assist you in becoming an empathetic and confident parent.
