ADHD Assessment in the UK
A complete diagnostic assessment is essential for a precise diagnosis. This will include screening questionnaires that are sent out prior to 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 specific guidelines for ADHD evaluations. Many people opt to go to an individual healthcare provider in order to accelerate the process and avoid lengthy wait lists.
What is an ADHD assessment?
A healthcare professional can listen to your concerns and help comprehend them by conducting an ADHD assessment. You will meet with a psychiatrist who is senior to determine the root of what is happening and how it might be impacting your life. They will evaluate you using various tools such as symptoms checklists and behaviour rating scales. They will also consider any family history of mental health issues and your previous experiences. The psychiatrist will then confirm which of the three main subtypes that you may have.
The specialist will also confirm the absence of any other medical or psychological conditions that might mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is very important because if another disorder is mistaken for ADHD, you could be misdiagnosed and the symptoms of ADHD might not improve. The expert will also evaluate the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your daily functioning by using the same criteria an NHS specialist would employ.
It is recommended to make a list of concerns or questions you may have prior to the time. This will help ensure that all your requirements are met and that nothing is missed. It is also a good idea to make a note of any specific issues you've been experiencing. Noting them down will aid in remembering them and aid in getting an ADHD diagnosis much faster and more effective.
It is also recommended to bring any relevant paperwork with you to your appointment. You can bring old school or work report cards or even performance assessments. If you have any medical or educational records that could be used to demonstrate the impact of ADHD on your life, these records are helpful for the specialist to have on hand as well.
You may be required to fill out screening questionnaires prior to your appointment. They can be accessed by logging into your portal dashboard and will usually be available to fill in before you meet with the psychiatrist. You should make this appointment as soon as you can as it can reduce the time you wait.
How can I obtain an ADHD assessment?
A diagnosis of ADHD is often the first step in getting the support and help you require. In the UK doctors are not able to diagnose ADHD but can refer for an assessment to a psychologist or psychiatrist who are the only healthcare professionals in the country qualified to make the diagnosis (and prescribe medication when needed).
The NHS will fund an ADHD assessment by a psychologist or psychiatrist. This will take between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health, the mental health history of your family members and your symptoms. The specialist will also consider any other medical and psychological conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
In addition to assessing your current symptoms, your specialist will also ask if you've had these same problems in the past. 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 childhood.
If you've been experiencing these symptoms since becoming an adult Your doctor will inquire whether your symptoms have improved over time. They will also examine any other factors that could influence your symptoms, such as anxiety and stress. They may also suggest that you enroll in an online group-based ADHD education and support program or suggest other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy.
If you're having difficulty getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can take advantage of your Right to Choose if you live in England. This means that you can choose to have a private assessment if are satisfied with the waiting time for an NHS assessment or if you wish to avoid waiting. Private assessments can be more expensive but will give you direct access to treatment. Your specialist will provide you with a comprehensive report you can bring to your GP. They will also discuss any medication or other treatment options they recommend to you. If requested, they'll also provide recommendation letter to your school or work place. It could be an additional charge depending on the length of time taken to prepare the letter.
What happens during a ADHD assessment?
adhd assessments begins with a psychiatric consultation. Your doctor will review your symptoms history and ask you questions regarding your development, health and family life. They will also send you standard questionnaires. They will also want to interview other people, like parents, siblings, spouses or spouses as well as ask your friends, teachers or coaches to share their thoughts as well. The interviews aren't designed to criticise, but rather to determine other factors that could be causing symptoms like depression or anxiety disorders.
During the interview your doctor will take a review any documents you bring with you, such as performance evaluations from work as well as copies of your previous psychological tests or even old school reports. The assessor will also spend time talking with the person who is the closest to you for example, your spouse, sibling or parent. This is primarily to gather information about your childhood experiences as you might have forgotten certain details or the behaviours might have changed as you grew older.
The psychiatrist will also review the information you gave in response to the standardised questionnaire prior to your appointment to ensure that they can get an understanding of your symptoms. They will also review any other information from your past, such as old school reports, or a medical or neurodevelopmental exam. 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. Adults must show at least five signs that have been identified over the same time period.
Your doctor will then conduct a psychiatric interview in person with you after gathering all the relevant details. The psychiatrist will go over all the information collected to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms. This usually involves reading 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 have ADHD, they will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then decide on a treatment plan that may include pharmacological treatment (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you have the legal right to select your preferred healthcare provider, which means you can consult your own private clinician for an ADHD assessment if you do not want to wait for the NHS.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
A professional ADHD diagnosis can have a profound impact on your life. It can assist you in getting treatment and decrease anxiety or self-doubt.
The first thing you should do if you suspect that you or your child is suffering from ADHD is to speak with an GP. They can refer you directly to a psychologist or psychiatrist who is the only UK healthcare professional who is qualified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients might be waiting for months to receive a referral. Many choose to go private.
Once you have been referred for an assessment, your clinician will meet 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 also ask you to speak to other individuals like teachers or daycare providers. This isn't to check your answers, but to understand how your symptoms affect your child or you in different situations.
The clinician will also use rating scales to determine if you experience certain symptoms, like restlessness or difficulty staying focused. This will identify whether you meet standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also determine if there are any other issues that you might have such as depression or anxiety disorders. If you have an ancestral history of ADHD it is important to telling your physician about this too, as there are genetic influences that affect whether or not you develop the condition.
Your clinician will prepare a comprehensive report that you can present to your GP after the psychiatric evaluation. The report will include a thorough diagnosis as well as a treatment recommendation.
If you've been diagnosed as an adult with ADHD, your GP may suggest that you try a medication. If the medication is effective and you are able to take it, you must inform the DVLA and your insurance company, since you'll have to update your driver's licence. Your therapist may suggest that you and your child take a parenting class to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can help improve your relationship with your child and help you become an empathetic and confident parent.