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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 that something isn't quite right. They may be concerned about their work or relationships. According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales, you are entitled to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE guidelines and may seek out observer reports from people who know you, especially as an infant. What is an ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment is the first step to discovering if you or your child have this condition. You will be questioned and diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. They are the only healthcare professionals in the UK who are qualified to diagnose ADHD. They may employ a variety of techniques to determine your symptoms, such as checklists and scales for assessing behavior and interviewing people who are familiar with you. They could also request a physical exam and medical history to rule out any other conditions that may be a precursor to ADHD such as depression or anxiety. It's crucial to be honest and open during your assessment. If you're not honest, the person evaluating you might conclude that you're not serious about getting an assessment or that your symptoms aren't that severe. In the course of your assessment you'll probably be asked about your family and personal mental health history and any problems at school or work. You might be asked to fill out the completion of a questionnaire or an assessment of your behavior. It is also important to be attentive during the assessment. To be diagnosed, you must have at least six signs of ADHD that are present in two or more settings like school and home and disrupt your life. These symptoms must have manifested in childhood before 12 years of age and cannot be explained by other disorders, like anxiety or depression. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist that specializes with ADHD to receive treatment. You'll notice that waiting times are significantly shorter if you decide to go private. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait more than a year. This can be a huge burden for those who are struggling. Some people on waiting lists have committed suicide because they could not stand the frustration and anxiety of waiting for an assessment. Private treatment allows you to begin treatment immediately. The majority of private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They can also screen for and treat co-morbidities, such as anxiety or depression. What is the reason I need an assessment? If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD or are experiencing problems in your everyday life that could be caused by it you should have an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. This is best done by an experienced psychiatrist who is familiar with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. However, there are psychotherapists and psychologists who are able to perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure which therapy to pick you could ask your doctor to recommend a therapy provider you've met. You can also search on the internet for professionals near you with a good track record. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of professionals who are certified. A structured interview and questions will be a part of the process for an accurate diagnosis. The main focus will be on your symptoms in the present work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your experiences with symptoms as a child and adolescent and will then focus on the impact that your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also determine if you have any other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. Depending on the professional and conditions, they might ask for information from your close family and friends. It is also not uncommon for them to ask you to bring old school reports or other documents for review. This can be a stressful procedure as it can be difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or the adolescence. If you are part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process may be more difficult. In the UK for instance the people of color, GNCs, and females are not diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are obvious. This makes it difficult to be diagnosed but it is also possible for doctors to refer you a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. You can also sign a shared-care agreement with your GP to facilitate the process. However it is not the case for all GPs to take this step. How do I arrange for an assessment to be conducted? Your physician is your primary care provider and is best in referring you to an assessment. Alternately, you can call an individual specialist like Priory and schedule an appointment yourself. Priory's expert psychiatrists have decades of experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can offer you a full range of treatment options. If your GP decides that you should be referred, they'll ask you and a family member or family member (if you have one) to complete a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal's dashboard. They should be completed within 24 hours prior to the consultation. Highly recommended Resource site are designed to identify behavior that could be indicative of ADHD. Your GP will arrange for the referral to an adult ADHD service. This is usually carried out by the local community mental health team, in the event that you reside within a catchment area that is currently offering this service. They will perform a comprehensive mental and psychiatric evaluation and will also look at other disorders like anxiety and depression that may sometimes mimic ADHD symptoms. It's essential to note any other mental health issues you may have or have been previously diagnosed in your family, as these can also influence your ability to be assessed for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any feedback or reports from your educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues, as well as details of any support you're receiving at home (for example, through a GP service or non-profit organisation such as EmployAbility). The psychiatrist will share their findings with you after they've completed their evaluation. If they conclude that you have ADHD they'll offer a care plan that may include recommendations for medication. The care plan will include any other assistance they believe you might appreciate, for example, a referral to counselling or talk therapy. We understand that it can be difficult to receive the assistance you require when your health or social medical needs are complex. We provide a free, confidential call with an assistant psychology to help you discover what support is available. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your area, or an assessment of eligibility for government funded schemes like Access to Work. What happens during an assessment? A correct diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can create issues in a variety of settings – from the workplace to at home. A thorough interview conducted by a professional with experience and various psychometric tests are typically part of an evaluation. This information will help determine how the symptoms affect the person and whether they are caused by other conditions or medical issues. A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information on the person's past, including when symptoms first appeared and the time they were in effect. In addition to discussing the current effects of ADHD symptoms, the professional will want to know how the symptoms have affected their life in general and in particular settings like work, school and relationships. This will be dependent on a definition of impairment which will consider whether the person has been fired because of their difficulties with time management, experienced an excessive amount of conflict and stress in their relationship or been placed on academic probation for poor grades. A qualified psychiatrist or psychologist certified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. While professionals may differ somewhat in the procedures and the materials they employ Certain protocols are essential for a thorough evaluation. This includes a thorough clinical interview and standardized rating scales for ADHD and various other types of psychometric tests. In some instances the specialist will administer several tests specifically designed to identify ADHD symptoms and other conditions like learning disabilities or anxiety disorders. If you're unsure of where to start or are unsure of how to find the right health care specialist, it's best to consult your doctor or visit a local mental health clinic for suggestions. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD can also be capable of providing information about highly qualified professionals in your region. Some health insurance plans will provide an inventory of professionals who are qualified that are sorted by specialization to help you locate the best professional for your evaluation.