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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 just right. They may have concerns about their relationships or work. Under current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have the legal right to an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will follow NICE Guidelines and may request reports from observer people who know you, particularly as you were a child. What is ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment is the first step towards finding out if you or your child have this condition. You will be questioned and diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are able to diagnose ADHD. They can employ a variety of methods to assess your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior and interviewing people who are familiar with you. www.iampsychiatry.com could also request an exam of your body and a medical background to rule out other illnesses that could be similar to ADHD such as anxiety or depression. It is crucial to be honest during your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator might think that you're not committed to getting diagnosed or that your symptoms aren't all that bad. During the assessment you'll likely be asked about your family and personal history of mental health, as well as any issues at school or at work. You might be asked to fill out a questionnaire or to complete an assessment of your behavior. You'll also have to pay attention during the examination. To be diagnosed you must show at least six signs of ADHD that appear in more than one setting such as school and home, and affect your daily life. The symptoms must have begun in your early childhood, prior to the age of 12, and they can't be explained by a different disorder, like depression or anxiety. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or choose to see an independent psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD. You'll find that waiting times are significantly shorter if you choose to opt for private. It's not uncommon to wait for more than a whole year on the NHS, and that can be devastating for people who are struggling in the meantime. Some of those on waiting lists have committed suicide due to the fact that they couldn't bear the frustration and anxiety of waiting for an assessment. The private route typically allows you to begin treatment quickly, and most private psychiatrists have years of experience treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to detect and treat co-morbidities such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Why do I need an assessment? If you suspect that you may have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life caused by it, you'll require an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. It is best done by a psychiatrist that has experience in working with neurodevelopmental issues and ADHD specifically. However, there are psychotherapists and psychologists who can do this type of assessment. If you're not sure which one to choose it is best to seek advice from your doctor or another therapist you are familiar with. You can also use the internet to find professionals in your area who have a good reputation. Certain insurance plans offer lists of qualified professionals. A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process for a complete diagnosis. The focus will be on your symptoms in your current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will ask you about your history of symptoms as a child and adolescent however, they will also focus on the impact that your symptoms have had on you in adulthood. They will also check if you have any other mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. Depending on your identity and circumstances, they might ask for details about your family and friends. You might also be asked to bring old school reports or documents to be examined. This can be a difficult process since it can be difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or the adolescence. If you belong to a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process can 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. It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis. However, your GP may refer you to a private specialist such as a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to get a shared care agreement with your GP for medication which can make the process easier, but not all GPs are willing to do this. How do I get an assessment? Your doctor is your primary health care provider and is the best in referring you to an assessment. You can also contact a private specialist such as Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory's highly trained psychiatrists have years of experience diagnosing people with ADHD and are able to provide you with the full range of treatment options. If your GP decides to refer you to a specialist, they'll ask you and a trusted friend or family member to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be accessed through your portal dashboard. They should be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. These are designed to highlight behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for the referral to an adult ADHD service. If you reside in a region that offers this service, your local mental health team usually provides it. They will conduct a thorough mental and psychiatric examination and will also look at other disorders like anxiety and depression, which can sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms. It's essential to note any other mental health problems you may have or were previously diagnosed in your family, as these can also impact the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. It is also helpful to bring any reports or feedback from your educational instructors, supervisors and colleagues as well as the details of any support you're receiving at home (for example, a GP service or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility). Once the psychiatrist has completed their evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they determine that you suffer from ADHD they'll give you an action plan for treatment that could include medication recommendations. The care plan will include any other assistance they believe you would appreciate, for example, the recommendation to counseling or talk therapy. We recognize that it may be difficult to access the assistance you require in the event that your social or health needs are complicated. We offer a confidential, free call with an assistant psychologist to help you find out the available support. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your area, or an assessment of eligibility for government-funded programs like Access to Work. What happens during an assessment? Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD is among the first steps to gain control over the symptoms that can cause significant problems in many settings, from the home to work. An extensive interview with a professional with experience and various psychometric tests are typically part of an evaluation. This information will help determine the underlying causes of the symptoms for the person and whether they are the result of medical or other conditions. A comprehensive assessment involves gathering detailed information about the person's past, specifically when the symptoms began and how long they've been present. In addition to discussing the current impact of ADHD symptoms, the professional will be interested in how the symptoms have impacted their life in general and in the most important settings like work, school and relationships. This will be determined by a definition of impairment that considers whether the person has lost their job as a result of their trouble with managing their time, suffered from excessive conflict and distress in their marriage or been put on academic probation for poor grades. An interview will be conducted by a skilled psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to perform ADHD assessments. While the professionals may vary somewhat in the procedures and the materials they employ Certain protocols are essential for a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a detailed interview and standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In certain cases the specialist will administer an array of tests specifically designed to identify ADHD symptoms as well as other conditions such as learning disabilities or anxiety disorders. If you're not sure where to start or are unsure of how to find the right health professional, it's usually best to consult your doctor or visit an area mental health clinic for recommendations. Many adult ADHD support groups will be capable of providing you with information on qualified professionals near you. Certain health insurance plans include specialists who are certified and can help you find an appropriate specialist for your evaluation.