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ADHD Assessment in the UK A thorough assessment of your diagnosis is essential for a precise diagnosis. This will include screening questionnaires that are sent out prior to, an interview with you and an individual who knows you well from childhood, analysis of historic school reports (if available) and a complete psychotherapy consultation. The NHS has guidelines to be followed in order to make an ADHD assessment. However, many opt to use private healthcare providers to accelerate the process and avoid long waiting lists. What is an ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment is an opportunity for a healthcare professional to listen to you and help you understand your difficulties. You will be working with a senior psychiatrist to get to the bottom of what's happening and how it is impacting your life. They will assess you using various tools such as symptoms checklists and scales for assessing your behaviour. They will also take into consideration any family history or previous experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then be able to confirm which of three major subtypes you may be suffering from. The specialist will also rule out any other mental or medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. This is crucial because if another condition is mistakenly attributed to ADHD it could mean that you are misdiagnosed and the symptoms of your ADHD may not improve. The specialist will also assess the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, using the same criteria that an NHS specialist would apply. Prepare a list in advance of any questions or concerns you may have. This will ensure that your needs are met and that no need is left unanswered. You should also take notes of any issues you're experiencing. It is easier to remember these issues better by writing them down. It can also make the process of receiving an ADHD diagnosis more effective. It is also recommended to bring any relevant documents with you to your appointment. You may bring old work or school report cards, or even performance evaluations. If you have any health or educational records that can be used to show the effect of ADHD on your life, these are beneficial for the doctor to have on hand as well. You may be asked to fill in screening questions prior to your appointment. They can be accessed through your portal dashboard, and will typically be available to fill out before you meet with the psychiatrist. It is recommended to do this as soon as you can since it can cut down your wait time. How can I obtain an ADHD evaluation? A diagnosis of ADHD is often the first step towards getting the help and support you need. In the UK doctors are not able to diagnose ADHD however they can refer an assessment to a psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals in the country who are qualified to make the diagnosis (and prescribe medication when needed). An NHS-funded ADHD evaluation will be conducted by a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist. It typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. You will be asked questions regarding your mental health as well as your family's history of mental health and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also consider any other medical and psychological conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. In addition to asking about your present symptoms, your doctor will also inquire if you've suffered from similar problems in the past. Current guidelines for diagnosing ADHD state that ADHD can only be diagnosed at the age of an adult if symptoms have been present since childhood. If you've had these symptoms in your adult life your doctor will ask whether your issues have progressed or worsened over time. They will also examine any other factors that could cause your symptoms, such as stress and anxiety. They may also recommend that you take an online group-based ADHD education and support program or offer referrals for other treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy. If you're having difficulty getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can take advantage of your Right to Choose when you live in England. You can decide to have your assessment privately in the event that the NHS wait time is too long or you do not want to wait at all. Private assessments are more expensive but will give you access to treatment. Your doctor will provide you with a comprehensive report that you can take to your GP. They will also discuss any medications or other treatment options they recommend to you. If you request, they'll also send a recommendation letter to your school or work place. This can be an additional expense depending on the length of time it takes to prepare the letter. What happens during a ADHD assessment? A psychiatric evaluation is the first step in an ADHD assessment. Your doctor will ask questions regarding your health, lifestyle, family, and development. how to get an adhd assessment will also use standardised questionnaires that will be mailed to you prior to your appointment. They may also interview other people, like spouses, siblings or parents, and may ask friends and teachers for their opinions too. The interviews aren't designed to be a critique, but to determine other factors that may be causing symptoms like depression or anxiety disorders. During the interview, your doctor might examine any documents you bring, for example, the results of previous psychological tests or old school reports. The examiner may also spend some time with someone who is familiar with your life like your spouse, sibling or parent. This is to gather information about your childhood since you might have forgotten specific particulars or your behavior might have changed over time. The psychiatrist will also analyze any information you've given on the standardised questionnaires before your appointment, so that they have an overview of your symptoms. They will also look at any other historical data such as old school records or a medical or neurological examination. 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. For adults, this means at least five confirmed symptoms over the same period of time. Your psychiatrist will then conduct a medical interview in person with you after collecting all the relevant information. The psychiatrist will review the data gathered to determine if you have ADHD symptoms. This involves assessing your symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). If your psychiatrist determines that you suffer from ADHD If your psychiatrist determines that you suffer from ADHD, he/she will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then decide on a treatment plan that could include pharmacological therapy (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the option of choosing your healthcare provider. If you do not want to wait until you receive an ADHD assessment from the NHS you can consult your own personal doctor. What happens after an ADHD assessment? A professional ADHD diagnosis could transform your life. It can assist you in obtaining treatment, and it could help reduce confusion and self-doubt about your symptoms. The first thing you should do if you suspect you or your child has ADHD is to speak with a GP. They can direct you to a psychologist or psychiatrist who is the only UK healthcare professional who is qualified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients have to wait months for an appointment, so many choose to use private instead. After you've been referred to an assessment, the doctor will conduct an interview with you or your child in person. The interview will include issues like development, health and family history, and lifestyle. The clinician may ask to speak to other individuals like teachers or daycare providers. This isn't to check your answers, but rather to understand how your symptoms affect your child or yourself in various situations. The doctor will use scales of rating to determine the frequency of specific symptoms such as anxiety or difficulty focusing. This will help determine if you are in line with the criteria for ADHD. They will also discuss whether there are any other issues that you might have like depression or anxiety disorders. It is crucial to inform your clinician if you have an family history of ADHD in your family. Genetics can affect whether you develop the disorder. Your doctor will write a comprehensive report that you can present to your GP following the psychiatric assessment. The report will contain the full diagnosis as well as a recommended treatment. If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your GP might suggest a trial of medication. If the medication works, you should tell the DVLA and your insurance company, as you'll have to update your driver's license. Your therapist may suggest that you and your child go to a parenting class to study together how to manage ADHD. This can help improve your relationship with your child, and assist you in becoming an empathetic and confident parent.