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ADHD Assessment in the UK A thorough assessment of your diagnosis is essential for a precise diagnosis. This includes screening questionnaires sent out beforehand, an interview with you and at least one person who knows you well from childhood, a review of historical school reports (if available) and a full mental health consultation. The NHS has guidelines to be followed for an ADHD assessment. Many people prefer to go to an independent healthcare provider to expedite the process and to avoid long wait lists. What is an ADHD assessment? A healthcare professional will listen to your concerns and help get to the bottom of them with an ADHD assessment. You will work with an experienced psychiatrist to determine what is happening and how it may be impacting your daily life. They will evaluate you with a variety of tools such as symptom checklists or rating scales. They will also consider any family history of mental health problems and your past experiences. The psychiatrist can then confirm which of three main subtypes you may be suffering from. The specialist will also rule-out any other medical or mental disorders 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 assess the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, using the same criteria an NHS specialist would apply. It is an excellent idea to create an inventory of any questions or concerns that you're facing ahead of time. This will ensure that your needs are met and that nothing is overlooked. You should also make notes of any issues you're having. Noting them down will aid in remembering them, and will aid in getting an ADHD diagnosis quicker and more effective. Bring any relevant documentation to your appointment. This could include performance evaluations from your job or old report cards from school. You can also aid the doctor by bringing in any records you may have that show how ADHD has affected your life. You might be asked to fill out screening questionnaires prior to your appointment. You can access them when you log in to your portal dashboard. They are typically available to fill out before meeting 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? If get redirected here or your child are experiencing symptoms of ADHD being diagnosed could be the first step towards getting the help and assistance you require. In the UK the GP cannot diagnose ADHD but can refer for an assessment to a psychologist or psychiatrist who are the only healthcare professionals in the nation who are qualified to diagnose the condition (and prescribe medication if necessary). An NHS-funded ADHD assessment will involve an expert psychologist or psychiatrist and will usually take 45-90 minutes. You will be asked questions regarding your general mental health and your family's mental health history and the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor will also examine any other medical or psychological conditions that could be contributing to the symptoms you are experiencing. In addition to assessing your present symptoms, your doctor will also inquire if you've experienced similar issues in the past. This is because current diagnostic guidelines indicate that you can 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 in your adult life, your specialist will ask whether your symptoms have improved or worsened over time. They will also consider any other factors that could influence your symptoms, such as stress and anxiety. They might also suggest that you take a group-based ADHD support and education programme or suggest alternative treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy. If you're having trouble getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can make use of your Right to Choose when you live in England. This means that you have the option to go private if you are satisfied with the wait time for an NHS assessment or if you want to avoid waiting. Private assessments are more expensive, however they provide direct treatment. Your specialist will provide with a detailed report that you can take to your GP. They will also discuss any other treatment options recommended with you. They will also provide letters of recommendation to your workplace or school upon request. This could be an additional expense depending on the length of time required to write the letter. What happens during an ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment starts with a psychiatric consultation. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health, lifestyle, family, and development. They will also use standard questionnaires that will be mailed to you beforehand. They may also ask for opinions from your teachers, friends, coaches, or spouses. The interviews aren't designed to judge you, but to help identify other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, for example depression or anxiety. During the interview, your doctor might review any documents you bring with them, such as copies of previous psychological tests or old school reports. The evaluator may also be able to spend time with someone who is familiar with your life such as your spouse, sibling, or parent. This is to gather information about your childhood, since you might have forgotten some details or your behavior may have changed over time. The psychiatrist will also analyze any information you've given in the standardised questionnaires prior your appointment, so they will have a clear picture of your symptoms. They will also look at any other information from your past, such as school records from the past or a medical or neurological 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 exhibit at least five signs that have been identified during the same time frame. After they have gathered all the relevant information Your psychiatrist will conduct a clinical interview with you. The psychiatrist will review the information collected to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms. This means evaluating your symptoms by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). If your psychiatrist determines that you have ADHD If your psychiatrist determines that you suffer from ADHD, he/she will write a report to your GP. The GP will determine a treatment plan that could include pharmacological treatment (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the option of choosing your healthcare provider. If you don't want to wait for an ADHD assessment from the NHS you can consult your own private doctor. What happens following an ADHD assessment? A professional ADHD diagnosis could transform your life. It can aid you in getting treatment and decrease feelings of self-doubt or confusion. If you suspect that you or your child may suffer from ADHD, the first step is to discuss it with an GP. They can refer you to a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals who are certified in the UK to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients might have to wait months for an appointment. Many choose to go private. Once you've been directed to an assessment the child or you will be interviewed in person by the clinician. The interview will cover subjects like development, health family history, lifestyle. The clinician may ask to speak to other people such as teachers or daycare providers. This is not to check your answers, but to find out how your symptoms impact your child or you in different situations. The clinician will use ratings scales to determine the frequency of specific symptoms such as anxiety or difficulty focusing. This will determine if you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also discuss whether you suffer from any other problems, such as anxiety or depression. If you have an ancestral history of ADHD, it is worth notifying your doctor about this as there are genetic influences on whether or not you develop the disorder. Following the psychiatric examination your doctor will prepare a thorough report that you can bring to your GP. This report will include the full diagnosis as well as a recommended treatment. If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your GP may suggest a trial of medication. If the medication is effective it is important to inform your insurance company as well as the DVLA in order to need to update your driving license. Your therapist may suggest that you and your child take a parenting class to study together how to manage ADHD. This can improve your relationship with your child and help you become a more confident and understanding parent.