ADHD Private Diagnosis
With NHS waiting times at an all-time high, many people are choosing to seek private diagnosis. What does this entail?
Before you start an appointment for a private diagnosis, it's worth making sure your doctor is a part of the concept of a shared-care agreement. This way, you will still get follow up treatment from the NHS afterwards.
What is ADHD assessment?
An ADHD assessment is a clinical interview with a psychiatrist who is skilled in diagnosing adult ADHD. It begins with an in-depth discussion of the patient's medical history, previous treatments and signs. It also provides a thorough review of any relevant family, social or work history. Contact your insurance company to determine if they will cover the cost of an evaluation. Also, recommendations from word-of-mouth friends and colleagues are helpful. Avoid "speedy", online evaluation sites. They are not accepted by many providers and often do not meet the requirements to make a valid diagnosis.
The initial assessment can take one hour or more. During this time, the doctor will sit down with the patient and inquire about their current issues (as well as the time they started). The doctor will then talk to people that are familiar with the patient for example, a spouse, sibling or a teacher for an adult as well as a coach, daycare worker or a daycare worker who works with children who are young. Checklists can be used to determine the cause of symptoms. This information can give more specific information than the questionnaire.
A doctor may also perform various tests to confirm or rule out ADHD. These tests could include neuropsychological assessments of the attention system executive functioning, achievement and tests. The tests can take from 15 minutes to one hour each and are designed to evaluate the results with those of people without ADHD.
A psychiatrist will review all information and, if ADHD has been diagnosed they will go over the different treatment options available to patients. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity and duration of the symptoms. This could involve medication, CBT therapy, lifestyle changes or both. Some people will have to test a variety of dosages and combinations of medication before they discover a combination that works.
If the specialist finds that ADHD is present, he or she will assess whether it is predominantly inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive and will decide if the symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. The diagnosis is only made if at least six traits of either kind were present over the past six months.
How is the time required to conduct an ADHD assessment?
If you're interested in getting an ADHD diagnosis is recommended to talk to your family physician. They might be able recommend an assessment by a specialist or advise you to contact an organization for private healthcare to get an independent expert opinion.
You'll likely be asked complete some questionnaires or forms prior to your appointment. They'll typically require you to provide examples of your symptoms in different areas of your life. You might be asked to rate your propensity to forget important appointments or misplace things. They'll also ask about your family history, your medical history, and your general health.
The consultant psychiatrist will then examine the results of your questionnaires and conduct a consultation to discuss your medical history, symptoms and your behavior. The answers will be used to determine if you meet the DSM V criteria for ADHD. This will include both looking at the traits of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, as well as assessing your overall functioning.
You'll be asked if you have any mental health issues which could cause your symptoms to change or coexist with ADHD. Depression or anxiety, for example, could cause your ADHD worse.
The therapist will share their thoughts and propose a treatment plan with you after the appointment. If private adhd assessment adults suspect that you have ADHD They'll probably recommend medication and a program of therapy.
If the psychiatrist doesn't believe that you suffer from ADHD, they'll explain why and refer you to your GP or another specialist for further investigations. In certain situations it may be necessary to discuss your treatment options with a counselor or psychologist however, this is dependent on your preferences and will depend on if you believe that ADHD is having an impact on your daily life.
If you reside in England you are entitled to decide the location where your mental health care is offered, including your ADHD evaluation. This means that if don't feel like waiting to be evaluated for ADHD by your local NHS service, or if your GP is unable to refer you, then you can self-refer directly to an Priory hospital or wellbeing centre. You will receive an assessment within six months of having made the request.
What happens if I don't receive a diagnosis?
ADHD symptoms can manifest in a variety of settings and environments. They can impact relationships at school, work, family and home responsibilities and also friendships. A diagnosis should be based on symptoms that interfere with at least 2 of these settings, and cause significant impairment. This can lead to loss of employment, relationship issues and poor performance at the college or school setting, financial problems, impulsive spending, and even legal trouble.
It is common for adults to seek treatment due to their inability to remain focused and complete tasks or are having difficulty in their relationships because they aren't listening. They may have also noticed that they were more prone than others to accidents or impulsive behaviors, like reckless driving, skipping classes or cancelling social plans.
Unlike children and adolescents, the diagnosis of ADHD in adults is more difficult. This is due to fewer clear-cut symptoms in adults and because the disorder can coexist with other mental health conditions and other medical problems. In this way, an adult with ADHD may need to be evaluated by a variety of specialists to confirm their diagnosis.
The assessment will include an extensive interview as well as a review of the medical background of the patient, and a physical examination to eliminate any other medical conditions which could cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. The clinician will use standardized scales to compare and measure the symptoms of the patient. They may also ask patients to complete questionnaires, or other types of neuropsychological or psychological tests.
If a psychologist or psychiatrist thinks that a patient has ADHD or other disorders, they will issue an official diagnosis and discuss treatment options. This can include psychotherapy, medication or other behavioral interventions.
A diagnosis can alter your life, particularly in the case of ADHD undiagnosed for years. It can be a huge relief to be able to know that it wasn't just laziness or a lack of intelligence that was keeping them back in the classroom or at work, but also in their relationships and the world around them. It is empowering to know that the condition can be controlled through medications and other treatments.
What happens if I disagree?
It's crucial to inform your healthcare professional whether you're dissatisfied with the diagnosis. They're not here to treat you as a customer, but they should still be subject to National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines when providing treatment.
The BBC Panorama documentary, Private ADHD Clinics Exposed, raised concerns about private companies squeezing vulnerable patients through the doors with inadequate assessment services and prescribing drugs without conducting proper research. It's a worrying trend that seems to be gaining momentum as people seek speedier and more thorough assessment services and treatments for their symptoms.
This is a serious concern, made worse by the fact that mental health services within the NHS are underfunded and struggling to keep pace with the growing population. A changing world also compounds existing conditions. Private healthcare providers will become more popular until the government addresses these problems and provides properly paid, educated and staffed services.
There are numerous private clinics that provide comprehensive assessments and treatment plans for their patients. A private ADHD assessment and diagnosis in Scotland through Diverse Diagnostics can make a huge difference to the life of a person, providing them with the tools they need to live their lives to the fullest at home as well as at work.
A thorough evaluation by a qualified GP/consultant, combined with the right treatment, can be the most effective approach to manage ADHD symptoms. The use of medication is an important part of this however for a lot of patients, it's also important to concentrate on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other non-pharmacological strategies to manage symptoms.
If you're worried about the effects of ADHD on your child an extensive online private ADHD assessment in Aberdeen through Diverse Diagnostics could be the first step towards understanding their difficulties and giving them the tools needed to succeed in school as well as in their personal and professional lives, and throughout adulthood.