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ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they believe something is not quite right. They might be worried about their job or relationships.
According to current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have the legal right to an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE Guidelines and will also request reports from observer people who know you well, especially as you were a child.
What is ADHD assessment?
Getting an ADHD assessment is the first step towards finding out whether you or your child suffer from this condition. You will be questioned by an accredited specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may employ checklists or behavior ratings scales in order to determine your symptoms. They may also interview people who are familiar with your condition. They may also ask for your medical history as well as physical examination to rule out conditions like depression or anxiety disorder that could mimic ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest during your evaluation. If you don't, the evaluator may conclude that you're not serious about getting diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. During the evaluation you'll probably be asked about your family and personal history of mental health, as well as any problems at school or work. You might be asked to fill out an assessment questionnaire or fill out an assessment of your behavior, and you'll probably have be aware of what you're doing during your assessment.
To get a diagnosis you must show at least six symptoms of ADHD that appear in more than one setting such as school and home, and interfere with your life. These symptoms must have started in your early childhood, prior to the age of 12 and cannot be explained by a different disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes in treating ADHD for treatment.
adult adhd diagnoses 'll notice that waiting times are shorter if you decide to go private. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait more than an entire year. This can be devastating for those who are struggling. Some of those on the NHS waiting list committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. The private route typically allows you to begin treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have extensive experience treating adults with ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities, like anxiety or depression.
Why do I require an assessment?
If you believe that you might have ADHD or are having problems in your life that are caused by it, you'll need to have an expert mental health assessment. It is best performed by a psychiatrist who has experience in working with neurodevelopmental issues and ADHD specifically. Psychotherapists and psychologists are also able to conduct this kind of assessment. If you're unsure of which one to choose it is best to seek recommendations from your doctor or another therapist you are familiar with. You can also search the internet to locate professionals in your area who have a good reputation. Some insurance plans also provide lists of professionals who are certified.
The process of getting a complete diagnostic will include questions and a formal interview with the specialist. The primary focus of the consultation will be your symptoms in your current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will inquire about your history of symptoms as a child and adolescent and will then focus on the impact your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also check for any other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Depending on your identity and circumstances they may ask for details about your family members and friends. It is also not unusual for them to request that you bring old school reports or other documents to look over. This is a difficult part of the process as it can be difficult to remember specifics concerning your experiences during your childhood or adolescence.
If you're part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK for instance, people of color, GNCs, and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are evident. This can make it harder to be diagnosed but it is also possible for doctors to refer you to an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital for an assessment. It is also possible to obtain an agreement for shared care with your GP for your medication, which could make the process a lot easier, however not all GPs are willing to take this step.
How do I obtain an assessment?
Your GP is your primary health care provider and is best in the position to refer you to an assessment. You can also call an individual specialist, such as Priory and make an appointment. Priory's highly trained psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can offer you an array of treatment options.
If your GP decides to refer you, they'll request you and a close friend or family member to complete some questionnaires before your appointment. These can be found on your portal's dashboard and must be completed at a minimum of 24 hours before the consultation. They are designed to highlight behaviors that could suggest the presence of ADHD. Your GP will then arrange for an onward referral to a commissioned adult ADHD service.
If you reside in a region that offers this service, your local mental health team typically conducts it. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric evaluation and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.
You should also be aware of any mental health issues that you might have or have had in the past. These could impact the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. You can also provide any feedback or reports from your teachers supervisors, colleagues, and teachers. Additionally, you can provide details of any support you receive at home, like through an GP or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility.
After the psychiatrist has completed your evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you have ADHD they'll give you a care plan that may include suggestions for medication. The care plan will provide any other support they think would be beneficial for you, like signposting to therapy sessions or coaching.
We recognize that it may be difficult to obtain the support you need if your health or social healthcare needs are complex. This is why we offer a free, confidential phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help determine what assistance might be available to you. This could include the referral to a local ADHD support group or an eligibility test for government-funded schemes like Access to Work.
What happens during an assessment?

A proper diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause difficulties in a variety situations ranging from the workplace to at home. A thorough interview by a professional with experience and various psychometric tests are usually part of an assessment. This information can be used to determine how symptoms affect an individual and if they are the result of medical conditions or other issues.
A comprehensive assessment includes gathering specific information about the person's past, including the date when symptoms first began to manifest and the length of time they lasted. In addition to discussing the current impact of ADHD symptoms, the professional will want to know how the symptoms have impacted their lives in general and in particular settings like school, work and relationships. This will be determined by a definition of impairment that will consider whether the person has been fired because of their difficulty with time management, experienced an excessive amount of conflict and stress in their relationship or been put on academic probation because of poor grades.
An interview will be conducted by an experienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. Professionals may employ different techniques and materials, however certain protocols are necessary for a complete assessment. They include a thorough clinical interview as well as standardized rating scales to assess ADHD and other forms of psychometric tests. In some instances, the specialist will give several tests that are specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.
A consultation with your doctor or contacting a local mental clinic is a good idea if you aren't sure where to start or have questions regarding the best health care professional. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD will also be able to provide information about highly qualified professionals in your region. Some health insurance plans list qualified professionals by specialty and can assist you in finding an appropriate specialist for your evaluation.