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ADHD Assessment in the UK A complete diagnostic assessment is essential for a precise diagnosis. This will include screening questionnaires sent out beforehand and an interview with you and ideally someone who has been with you since childhood, a review of historical school reports (if available) and a full psychotherapy consultation. The NHS has guidelines that must be followed in order to make an ADHD assessment. Many people choose to visit an individual healthcare provider in order to expedite the process and avoid long waiting lists. What is ADHD assessment? A healthcare professional will listen to your concerns and help understand them through an ADHD assessment. You will be working with a qualified psychiatrist to determine what is happening and how it could be impacting your life. They will evaluate you using various tools including symptoms checklists and scales of behaviour. They will also look at any family history and past experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then be able to confirm which of the three main subtypes you might have. The specialist will also confirm the absence of any other mental or medical conditions that might mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is crucial because if you are misdiagnosed with ADHD the symptoms might not improve. The specialist will also assess the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life by with the same criteria an NHS specialist would apply. Prepare a list in advance of any concerns or questions you may have. This will ensure that your needs are fulfilled and that no need is left unanswered. It's also recommended to take a note of any specific difficulties you have been experiencing. You will be able to remember these issues better when you record them. This will 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 can bring old work or school report cards or even performance assessments. If you have any medical or educational records that can be used to show the impact of ADHD on your life, these records are beneficial for the doctor to have in hand as well. You might be asked to fill in pre-screening questions prior to your appointment. These can be accessed by logging in to your portal dashboard. They are generally available for you to fill out prior to your appointment with the psychiatrist. It is recommended to fill in the form as quickly as you can and will cut down your waiting time. How can I get an ADHD assessment? A diagnosis of ADHD could be the first step towards getting the help and support you require. In the UK, doctors cannot diagnose ADHD. However they are able to refer a patient for assessment to a psychiatrist. The NHS will cover an ADHD assessment with a psychiatrist or psychologist. This will take between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health, your family's mental health history and the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor will also take into consideration any other psychological and medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. In addition to examining your present symptoms, your doctor will also ask if you've suffered from similar problems in the past. This is because current diagnostic guidelines suggest that you can only be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult if your symptoms have been present since the age of. If you have had these symptoms as an adult, your specialist will ask if your problems have changed or worsened over the course of time. They will also consider any other factors that may cause your symptoms, such as stress and anxiety. They might also suggest that you enroll in an organization-based ADHD education and support programme or refer you to other treatments, such as cognitive therapy for behavior. If you live in England and are having difficulties accessing a NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you are able to avail your Right to Choose. You can decide to have your assessment privately when the NHS wait time is too long or you do not want to wait at all. Private assessments are more costly, however, they offer direct treatment. Your specialist will provide with a comprehensive report that you can present to your GP. They will also discuss any medications or other treatment options with you. They will also send recommendations to your workplace or school when requested. The cost will vary based on the amount of time required to write the letter. What happens during a ADHD assessment? An ADHD assessment starts with a psychiatric consultation. Your doctor will go over your symptom history and ask questions about your health, development and family life. They will also use standard questionnaires that will be mailed to you beforehand. They may also interview other people, including parents, siblings, spouses or spouses and may also ask friends teachers, coaches or other colleagues for their opinions too. These interviews are not intended to judge you, but rather to help identify other causes that could be causing your symptoms, for example depression or anxiety. During this interview, your doctor will examine any records that you bring, such as the results of your work performance as well as copies of your previous psychological test results, or even old school reports. The assessor will also spend time talking to the person who is the closest to you like your spouse, sibling or parent. This is done to gather information about your childhood because you may have forgotten some details or your behavior may have changed over time. The psychiatrist will also look over any information you provided on the standardised questions before your appointment to ensure that they will have an understanding of your symptoms. They will also review any other information from your past, like old school records or a neurological or medical exam. This is to determine if you meet standardized 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 is at least five symptoms that have been established in the same time. After they have gathered all relevant information the psychiatrist will conduct an in-person clinical interview with you. The psychiatrist will review all the information gathered to determine if you have ADHD symptoms. This process involves evaluating 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 write a report to your GP. The GP will decide on a treatment plan that may include pharmacological therapy (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the right to choose your healthcare provider. If you don't want to wait to get an ADHD assessment from the NHS You can visit your own personal doctor. What happens after an ADHD assessment? getting an adhd assessment uk could transform your life. It can allow you to access treatment and help reduce anxiety and self-doubt regarding your symptoms. If you suspect that your child or you are suffering from ADHD, the first step is to talk with your GP. They can refer you to a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist who are the only healthcare professionals certified in the UK to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients have to wait months to receive an appointment, so many opt to seek out private therapy instead. Once you have been referred for an assessment, your clinician will meet with you or your child in person. The interview will cover issues like development, health, family history, and lifestyle. The doctor may also request to talk to other people, like coaches, teachers or daycare providers. This isn't to check your answers, but rather to understand how your symptoms impact your child or you in various situations. The doctor may also employ rating scales to determine how often you experience certain symptoms, such as restlessness and trouble staying focused. This will help determine if you meet the standardized criteria for ADHD. They will also determine if there are any other issues that you might be dealing with like anxiety or depression. It is essential to inform your clinician if you have a family history of ADHD in your family. Genetics can affect whether you develop the condition. Your clinician will prepare an extensive report that you can take to your GP following the psychiatric examination. The report will contain a detailed diagnostic and a recommended treatment. If you have been diagnosed as an adult suffering from ADHD Your GP may recommend that you try medication. If the medication is effective, you need to tell your insurance company and the DVLA as you will have to update your driving licence. If you are a parent with children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, your therapist might suggest attending a parenting group to learn more about managing the disorder with your child. This can help improve your relationship with your child and make you an even more confident parent.