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ADHD Diagnosis – The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD Adults frequently seek ADHD assessments because they believe that something isn't all right. They may have concerns about their work or relationships. According to current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you are legally entitled to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and will also ask for observer reports from people who know you, specifically as you were a child. What is ADHD assessment? Getting an ADHD assessment is the first step to discovering whether you or your child have this condition. You will be questioned and diagnosed by an accredited psychiatrist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are able to diagnose ADHD. They may employ checklists or behavior ratings scales to evaluate your symptoms. They may also ask those who know your condition. They could also request a physical exam and medical history to rule out other conditions that could mimic ADHD such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to be honest during your assessment. If you don't, the evaluator may conclude that you're not serious about being diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. During the evaluation, you'll likely be asked to provide information regarding your history of mental health and those of your family members as well as any issues at school or at work. You might be asked to complete an assessment questionnaire or fill out an assessment of your behavior and you'll have to be attentive to what you're doing during the assessment. To get a diagnosis to be eligible for a diagnosis, you must exhibit at least six symptoms of ADHD that appear in more than one setting like home and school, and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have been present in your childhood prior to the age of 12, and are not attributed to other disorders, such as depression or anxiety. You could be referred by your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes with ADHD for treatment. You'll find that waiting times are much shorter if opting to go private. It's not uncommon to have to wait more than a year on the NHS, and that can be devastating for people who are struggling to cope. Some of those on the NHS waiting list took their own lives due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private therapy typically allows you to begin treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have extensive experience in treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to detect and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety disorders or depression. Why do I require an assessment? If you think you might have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life that are caused by it, you will require a professional mental health assessment. It is best done by a psychiatrist that has experience working with neurodevelopmental issues and ADHD specifically. Psychotherapists and psychologists also perform this type of assessment. If you are unsure which one to pick the best option is to ask for recommendations from your general practitioner or another therapist that you have met. You can also search the internet to locate professionals in your area with an excellent reputation. Certain insurance plans also offer lists of professional who are qualified. A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process for an accurate diagnosis. The focus of the interview will be your symptoms within the current family, work and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask about your previous symptoms as a child or adolescent. He will also focus on the impact of your symptoms in adulthood. They will also look for any other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Depending on who you are and the circumstances they may ask for details about your family and friends. It is not unusual for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents to look over. This can be a stressful procedure as it can be difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or your adolescence. If you're part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK for instance there is still an underlying stigma against people of colour gender non-conforming (GNCs) and females being diagnosed with ADHD even though the symptoms are clear. This can make it harder to get a diagnosis, but it is possible for GPs to refer you to an individual specialist like a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to obtain a shared-care agreement with your GP for medications, which can make the process a lot simpler, but not all GPs will take this step. How do I get an assessment? Your GP is your primary health healthcare provider and is best in the position to refer you to an assessment. You can also contact a private specialist like Priory, and arrange an appointment. Priory's expert psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and are able to provide you with a full range of treatment options. If your GP decides to refer you, they'll ask you and a trusted family member or friend 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 prior to your appointment. They are designed to highlight behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service. If you reside in an area that offers this service, the local mental health team usually provides it. They will conduct a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric evaluation and will also look at other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD like depression and anxiety. You should also provide details of any mental health issues you might have or have experienced in the past. These can affect your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring along any feedback or reports from your educational tutors, supervisors, and work colleagues as well as the details of any support you're receiving at home (for instance, through a GP service or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility). Once the psychiatrist has completed your evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you have ADHD they'll give you an individual care plan that could include recommendations for medication. The care plan will include any other assistance they believe you might appreciate, for example, the recommendation to talk therapy or coaching. We understand that it can be challenging to get the assistance you require when your health or social medical needs are complex. That's why we offer an anonymous, free phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include an introduction to local ADHD support group or a check of eligibility for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work. What happens during an assessment? A correct diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can cause difficulties in a variety settings, from the workplace to your home. An extensive interview with a professional with experience and various psychometric tests are usually part of an assessment. This information will help determine the underlying causes of the symptoms for the individual and whether they are the result of other medical conditions or issues. A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information about the person's past, specifically when symptoms first started and how long they've been present. The doctor will also want to know the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes work, school, and relationships. This will be based on a definition of impairment which will consider if the individual has been fired because of their inability to manage time or placed on academic probation due to poor grades. An interview will be conducted by a seasoned psychiatrist or psychologist who is certified to conduct ADHD assessments. Although Iam Psychiatry can differ somewhat in the procedures and the tools they employ Certain protocols are essential for a thorough evaluation. This includes a thorough clinical interview as well as standardized rating scales to assess ADHD and other forms of psychometric testing. In certain cases the doctor will conduct a series of tests specifically designed to detect ADHD symptoms and other conditions like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities. Consult your doctor or visiting a local mental health clinic could be beneficial if are unsure where to begin or have any questions about the right health care professional. Many support groups for people with ADHD can also be capable of providing information about qualified professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans provide a list of qualified professionals that are sorted by specialization to help you find the most suitable expert for your assessment.