15 Things You Didn't Know About ADHD Assessments
ADHD Assessments in the UK
The process of getting an ADHD assessment can be difficult for many people, especially those who have to use the NHS. adhd diagnostic assessment is because the system is struggling to keep up with demand.
GPs may ask about symptoms and the family history however, they are not capable of diagnosing or conducting an assessment. Only clinicians can do this.
Symptoms
If you believe that your symptoms might be related to ADHD it is important to seek medical advice. In the UK it is possible to arrange an assessment with a psychiatrist, or a specialist in mental health. It is a formal, scheduled appointment with a physician who will take a complete mental health history and also identify any other health conditions that could be present in conjunction with or in addition to ADHD.
During your examination, you will be asked to provide examples of your symptoms and how they affect you. You will be asked to rate them on an appropriate scale. The psychiatrist will take all this information into account and decide whether you meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. This will be based upon the DSM V criteria of Attention Hyperactivity/Deficit Disorder.
You will be asked for specific details about your symptoms, including when they began and if you had them during your childhood. You will be asked about how these symptoms affect your relationships and life.
People with inattention ADHD may struggle to concentrate in class or during an online conference call, and miss important information. This can cause tension in relationships, or even an unhappiness. Inattentive ADHD can also cause those who suffer from it to lose items like phones, wallets, or keys frequently. This can cause a lot of stress, when they are constantly searching for them and delegating work to others.
The psychiatrist will also speak with relatives and review old school reports if available. It is sometimes also beneficial to speak with an educator or another educational professional who has a connection to you from the past, especially if you have been struggling at school.
You will be asked to fill out questionnaires prior to your appointment. You will be asked about your habits, mental health and any behavioural issues you have had in the past. In your appointment it is normal for a psychiatrist to observe you. This is extremely beneficial in determining ADHD or other health issues.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to determine ADHD, especially for adults. It's important to have the correct diagnosis to receive the right treatment and assistance. The first step in gaining the correct diagnosis is to undergo a professional evaluation. A professional psychiatrist will listen to you and evaluate the symptoms that are causing you problems. They will also check for any comorbid conditions that could cause symptoms. ADHD symptoms can cause distress and affect your quality-of-life. These symptoms include difficulties concentrating, making careless errors and acting impulsively. You might also have issues with time management and organisation. These issues can cause problems at school, at home or at work.
A series of talks will be held with the doctor during an assessment. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle, medical history and family mental health history. They also employ rating scales and questionnaires to determine the extent of your ADHD. People who are familiar with you such as a spouse, relative or close friend, could be sought out to gain more insight. This can help ensure that the assessment is as thorough as it can be.
If the doctor determines you have ADHD, they will use the diagnostic criteria laid out in the DSM-5 to confirm your diagnosis. They will then talk about how your symptoms affect your daily functioning and consider any other comorbid conditions you might have, such as depression or anxiety.
While the NHS offers a great service, delays to assessments can be very frustrating for people who suffer from ADHD. BBC reported that a few adults waited as long as two years before receiving an NHS diagnosis after a referral from their GPs. This is due to the massive demand for services and the resulting shortage of capacity and some NHS trusts shutting down their waiting lists completely.
Fortunately, private ADHD assessments offer a more direct approach to diagnosis. While you need a GP referral to get access to the NHS however, you can self-refer for private assessments. Many patients have noticed that it takes less time to receive a private diagnosis because there aren't waiting lists and they can avoid the frustration of having to wait for life-changing treatment.
Treatment
Once the doctor has completed their assessment after which they will inform you of any possible diagnosis and treatment options. This is usually a medical-based treatment plan. Psychotherapy is also advised. Psychotherapy can help you learn coping strategies and manage your symptoms to ensure they don't affect your life as significantly. The medication prescribed is usually a stimulant that increases the transmission of brain cells. It's usually taken in tablets with methylphenidate being the most common. It is available in immediate-release or a modified-release tablet and taken twice or three times a day. The specialist will explain how long you should take the medication, but most patients are prescribed it for so long as they are efficient.
During the examination the doctor will be asking for input from those who know you well including colleagues and friends. This will enable them to gather corroborative information that may not have been disclosed during your consultation. They will also assess whether you have any comorbid issues, such as depression or anxiety, that are often associated with ADHD.
If your specialist diagnoses ADHD the doctor will write a note that they will send to you GP. They may also suggest referral to another specialist for ongoing care and assistance.
The NHS's services have had a difficult time to meet the growing demand for ADHD assessments in recent years, the BBC reports. This is due in part to the fact that a lot of people aren't aware that their symptoms are related to ADHD and can cause them to be referred for a different condition such as anxiety or depression.
A new taskforce was launched to speed up the process of waiting and ensure that patients receive the assistance they require. The taskforce will bring together expertise from different fields and provide integrated solutions. However, targeted investments are also needed to expand ADHD services and provide them with the resources they require to meet demand.
Support
At present, getting an assessment for ADHD within the NHS in the UK is a long wait. In fact, one programme lead told the BBC that the amount of requests for adult ADHD assessments had increased by 700% over a year, and some areas had wait lists that stretched over two years. The NHS has been working to address this issue, and recently formed a taskforce to enhance access to specialist help for adult ADHD sufferers.
This will help reduce the waiting times for assessments, and will also enable clinicians to ensure that people are referred in the most appropriate way. Anyone who has a family history of ADHD should be referred to a professional for an opinion by their GP. This is due to the fact that they are usually suffering from mental health issues in addition to ADHD.
The NHS offers a range of ADHD tests to those who are thinking about medical treatment or have been diagnosed with this condition. Typically, these will be conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist who is skilled in diagnosing adult ADHD. The assessment can take between 45 and 90 minutes and is usually conducted by phone or video calls.
During the examination the doctor will discuss with you your experience with ADHD symptoms and your past experiences with them. They will also inquire about your mental health and any other mental health issues you've been affected by, or that your family members have suffered from. It is important to discuss all of these things during the assessment, since it can help the clinician determine whether you may be suffering from ADHD.
The doctor will determine the treatment plan after the evaluation. It will typically include psychotherapy and medication. It could also include other support services like peer-support groups and workshops.
If you want to accelerate the process of getting an assessment can choose to use private healthcare providers, instead of waiting for the NHS. You can self-refer or, in some instances, get your doctor's permission. Private healthcare providers provide the direct access to specialist mental care. These appointments are usually quicker than NHS ones.