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ADHD Assessment in the UK A full diagnostic assessment is vital for a precise diagnosis. This will involve screening questionnaires that are sent out prior to, an interview with you and an individual who knows you well from childhood, analysis of historic school reports (if available) and a complete mental health consultation. The NHS has guidelines to be followed in order to make an ADHD assessment. However, many opt to use a private healthcare provider to speed up the process and avoid lengthy waiting lists. What is ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for medical professionals to listen to you and comprehend your challenges. You will be working with a psychiatrist who is senior to get to the bottom of what's happening and how it is impacting your life. They will assess you with a variety of tools such as symptom checklists or rating scales. adhd assessment psychiatry uk will also take into consideration the family history of your parents and any previous experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then be able determine the existence of any of the three major subtypes of mental illness you may have. The doctor will also determine if there are any other medical or psychological conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. This is crucial because when you are misdiagnosed as having ADHD your symptoms may not improve. The specialist will also consider the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life with the same criteria an NHS specialist would employ. It is a good idea to prepare your list of concerns or questions you have ahead of time. This will help ensure that all of your needs are addressed and that no detail is left unanswered. It's also a good idea to make an outline of any particular issues you've been experiencing. Having these written down can aid in remembering them and make the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis faster and more efficient. You should also bring any relevant documentation with you to your appointment. This could include any performance evaluations from your work, or old report cards from school. If you have any health or educational records that could be used to show the effect of ADHD on your life, these are helpful for the specialist to have on hand also. You may be required to fill out questionnaires for pre-screening prior to your appointment. These can be accessed by logging in to your portal dashboard. They are generally available to fill out before meeting with your psychiatrist. You should do this as soon as possible, because it will reduce the time you wait. How can I obtain an ADHD assessment? A diagnosis of ADHD may be the first step towards getting the support and help you need. In the UK, GPs cannot diagnose ADHD but can refer for an assessment to a psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals in the nation who are qualified to determine the diagnosis (and prescribe medication if needed). The NHS will cover an ADHD assessment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. This will take between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health as well as your family's mental health history and the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor will also take into consideration any other psychological or medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your specialist will also ask you if you've ever had similar problems. This is because current diagnostic guidelines state that you will only be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood when the symptoms have been present since the age of. If you've had these symptoms as an adult Your doctor will inquire whether your issues have improved or worsened over time. They will also examine any other factors which can affect your symptoms, like stress and anxiety. They may also suggest that you take a group-based ADHD education and support program or suggest alternative therapies like cognitive behavior therapy. If you're having trouble getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you are able to use your Right to Choose if you live in England. You can opt to take a private assessment if the NHS wait time is too long or you don't want to wait around at all. Private assessments are more expensive however, they offer direct treatment. Your specialist will prepare a comprehensive report that you can take to your GP and will go over any recommended medications or other treatment options with you. They will also provide recommendation letters to your workplace or school if requested. The cost of the letter will depend on how long it takes to prepare the letter. What happens during an ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment starts with a psychiatric assessment. Your doctor will go over your symptom history and ask questions about your health, development, family and lifestyle. They will also use standardised questionnaires that will be sent to you beforehand. They will also interview other people, like spouses, siblings or parents, and may ask friends and teachers to share their thoughts as well. The interviews aren't designed to be a critique, but to identify other factors which could be causing symptoms such as anxiety or depressive disorders. During this interview, your doctor will review any documents you bring with you, such as evaluations of your performance at work, copies of previous psychological test results or even old school reports. The evaluator will also spend time talking to the person who is the closest to you, such as your spouse, sibling or parent. This is primarily to gather information on your childhood experiences, since you might have forgotten certain specifics or your behaviours may have changed as you got older. The psychiatrist will also review any information you have provided in the standardised questionnaires prior the appointment, to ensure they have an overview of your symptoms. They will also look at any other information from your past, such as old school reports or an examination for neurodevelopment or medical. This is to make sure 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. For adults, this means at least five established symptoms in the same time. Once they have gathered all relevant details the doctor will conduct a personal clinical interview with you. The psychiatrist will review all the data gathered to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. This process usually involves looking through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) rating scales to determine if your symptoms match the criteria. If your psychiatrist determines that you do suffer from ADHD The doctor will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then determine the most appropriate treatment plan that may include the use of pharmacological (medication) or psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the right to choose your healthcare provider. If you don't want to wait for an ADHD assessment from the NHS You can visit your own personal doctor. What happens after an ADHD assessment? A professional ADHD diagnosis could transform your life. It can aid you in getting treatment and reduce feelings of self-doubt or confusion. If you suspect that your child or you are suffering from ADHD The first step is to talk with your GP. They can refer you directly to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is the only UK healthcare professional who is qualified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients can wait for months for an appointment, which is why many opt to seek out private therapy instead. After you have been referred to an assessment, you or your child will be interviewed in person by the clinician. The interview will cover topics such as health, development family history, lifestyle. The clinician may also ask to talk to other people, like coaches, teachers or daycare providers. This is not to check your answers but to learn what your symptoms can do to your child or different situations. The doctor will use rating scales as well to determine the frequency of certain symptoms, such as anxiety or difficulty focusing. This will identify whether you meet the standard criteria for ADHD. They will also talk about whether there are any other issues that you may be suffering from like depression or anxiety disorders. It is crucial to inform your physician if there is a any background of ADHD in your family. Genetics can impact whether you develop the condition. After the psychiatric evaluation the doctor will write up a comprehensive report that you can take to your GP. This will include a detailed diagnosis and treatment recommendation. If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD Your GP might suggest a trial of medication. If the medication is effective, you need to tell your insurance company and DVLA as you will be required to renew your driving licence. Your therapist may recommend that you and your child go to a parenting class to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can improve your relationship with the child and help you become a more confident parent.