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ADHD Diagnosis – The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD Many adults seek an ADHD assessment because they feel something isn't quite right. They might be concerned about their work or relationships. In adhd diagnosis in adults in England and Wales you are legally entitled to an ADHD diagnosis. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and may seek out observer reports from people who know you, particularly as an infant. What is an ADHD assessment? Achieving an ADHD assessment is the first step towards finding out if you or your child have this condition. You will be interviewed and diagnosed by an accredited psychiatrist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are qualified to diagnose ADHD. They may employ checklists or behavior ratings scales in order to determine your symptoms. They may also ask people who are familiar with you. They might also ask for a physical exam and medical background to rule out other conditions that could mimic ADHD such as anxiety or depression. It is essential to be honest in your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator might think that you're not committed to getting diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to provide information about your mental health history and that of your family, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be required to fill out the form or fill in a behavioral rating scale, and you'll probably have to pay attention to what you're doing during your assessment. To get a diagnosis, you must have at least six symptoms of ADHD that are present in two or more settings like home and school, and interfere with your life. These symptoms must have started in the early years of childhood, prior to age 12 and cannot be explained by another disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist that specializes with ADHD for treatment. The waiting times are much shorter if you decide to go private. It's not uncommon to wait for more than a whole year for an assessment on the NHS and it can be a huge blow to those who are struggling in the meantime. Some people who were on the NHS waiting lists committed suicide as a result of the stress and anxiety of waiting. Private treatment lets you start treatment as quickly as possible. Private psychiatrists are generally experienced in treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to screen for and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. Why do I require an assessment? If you think you might have ADHD or are experiencing issues in your life that are caused by it, you'll require a professional mental health assessment. This will ideally be done by a specialist psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists also do this type of evaluation. If you're not sure which therapy to pick, you can ask your physician for a recommendation or a therapist you know. You can also use the internet to find professionals in your area with a good reputation. Some insurance plans provide lists of qualified professionals. The process of obtaining a clinical diagnosis will include questions and a formal interview with the specialist. The primary focus will be on your symptoms in your current family, work and social context. The psychiatrist will ask you about your history of symptoms in your adolescent and childhood however, they will also focus on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also assess whether you have any other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. Depending on who you are and the circumstances, they may request information about your family and friends. You may also be asked to bring old school documents or reports to be evaluated. This can be a stressful process since it can be difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or adolescence. If you are part of the minority group or are gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK for instance people of color, GNCs and females aren't diagnosed with ADHD even if their symptoms are obvious. It isn't always easy to get a proper diagnosis. However, GPs may recommend you to a private specialist like a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre for an assessment. You can also sign an agreement for shared-care with your GP to simplify the process. However, not all GPs will do this. How can I get an assessment done? Your primary healthcare provider is your GP, and he or she is the best person to refer you for an assessment. You can also call an individual specialist, like Priory and schedule an appointment. Priory's highly trained psychiatrists have years of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and are able to provide you with the full range of treatment options. If your GP decides that you need to be referred to a specialist, they will ask you and a family member or family member (if you have one) to fill out a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard. They should be completed 24 hours before the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviours that could be indicative of ADHD. Your doctor will make an appointment with an adult ADHD service. It is usually provided by the local community mental health team in the event that you reside within a catchment area currently providing this service. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric assessment as well as examining other conditions that can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD like depression and anxiety. It is also important to be aware of any mental health issues you may have or have experienced in the past. These could impact your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It is also helpful to bring any feedback or reports received from your educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues as well as the details of any support you receive at home (for example, a GP service or non-profit organisation such as EmployAbility). Once the psychiatrist has completed your assessment, they will go over their findings with you. If they conclude that you suffer from ADHD they'll offer a care plan that may include recommendations for medication. The care plan will also outline any other supports that they feel would be helpful to you, such as providing you with information on counseling or talk therapies. We recognise that it can be difficult to access the support you need in the event that your social or health care needs are complex. That's why we offer a free, confidential call with an assistant psychologist to help discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your area or an eligibility test for government-funded programs such as Access to Work. What happens during a test? A correct diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause problems in a variety of settings, from the workplace to home. A typical evaluation consists of an in-depth interview conducted by a skilled professional and a variety of psychometric testing. This information can help identify what symptoms are affecting the individual and whether they are caused by medical or other conditions. A comprehensive assessment involves gathering detailed information about the person's history, particularly when the symptoms began and how long they have been present. In addition to discussing the impact of ADHD symptoms, the specialist will want to know how the symptoms have affected their lives in general as well as in particular settings like school, work and relationships. This will be based on the definition of impairment that examines whether the individual has lost their job because of their difficulties with managing their time, suffered from extreme stress and conflict in their marriage, or been put on academic probation due to poor grades. An experienced clinical psychologist or psychiatrist qualified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals can use a variety of methods and materials, but certain protocols are required to conduct a thorough assessment. This includes a detailed interview and standardized scores for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In certain cases specialists will administer a series of tests that are designed to test for ADHD and other conditions like learning disabilities or anxiety disorders. If you're not sure where to begin or have questions about finding the right health care specialist, it's best to consult your doctor or visit a local mental health clinic for suggestions. Many adult ADHD support groups are in a position to provide you with details about professionals who are qualified near you. Certain health insurance plans include specialists who are certified and can help you find the right specialist to conduct your assessment.