ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK you have the legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health exams. Healthcare professionals may not all have the necessary qualifications to diagnose ADHD.
Panorama has heard from patients and whistleblowers who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication without proper tests. We went undercover in order to find out more.
What is an assessment?
An assessment is a consultation with a psychiatrist to discuss the ways in which ADHD affects your life and determine if medication can aid. You'll need to provide details of your symptoms and any problems that they may be causing. You will also be asked about your family and work life. Some patients find it beneficial to write notes of their symptoms prior to their appointment. This is so they can remember them. An assessment typically involves a 45 to 90 minute conversation with the psychiatrist.
private adhd assessment can have an adult ADHD evaluation through the NHS or privately. The GP must take ADHD concerns seriously and refer you to an assessment. The system is not without its problems. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns about doctors prescribing powerful medications for long periods of time and not considering the medical history of patients.
If you are concerned about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD, try another GP. On the website of Psychiatry-UK, you will find an aid that contains templates and suggestions for making your request.
Private psychiatric treatment can provide a much speedier and more professional diagnosis, particularly in London. The price can range from PS600 to up to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists are experienced in screening adults from a variety of backgrounds and offer an individual approach, particularly in cases where you might be highly intelligent or successful in your career. They can also screen for and assist with any co-morbidities that are commonly found alongside ADHD, like anxiety and depression.
The Psychiatrist will assess your symptoms and use the DSM V criteria to determine whether you qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. You will need to demonstrate at least six traits (symptoms) that are present in your life today and how they have impacted on your previous experiences.
The Psychiatrist will inform you on your options and the next steps. You may decide to begin treatment with stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act and are therefore controlled. They can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist or doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnostic?
A diagnosis is a term used in medicine that refers to the recognition of a condition, illness or injury. A doctor will make diagnosis and often follow it with a treatment plan. The diagnosis is an essential part of the curriculum of medical students and is an integral part in the training of doctors in all fields of medicine. Medical journals often employ the word and it is frequently used in periodical articles about health care.
There are many ways to obtain an ADHD diagnosis in UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to a clinic or an adult ADHD specialist. A private psychiatrist can perform the diagnosis. Private psychiatrists usually have extensive experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can offer an accelerated, more professional and a more thorough process. They also have a greater awareness of the other conditions that could cause confusion symptoms with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety.
After you have received a diagnosis you are able to discuss treatment options with your psychiatrist. This may include medication or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as other non-medication treatments such as mindfulness or relaxation techniques. You can choose which treatment option is best suited to your requirements.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also assist you to obtain reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. In the case of DSA this is crucial as it aids in daily activities that people who suffer from disabilities or illnesses require to do.
If you're thinking about stimulants such as methylphenidate for treating your ADHD, know that these are class B drugs that can cause addiction. If you're concerned your psychiatrist could refer you to a GP that can prescribe a treatment that isn't dependent on stimulants.
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and stressful process. There are a variety of aspects to take into consideration and the NHS system is usually over stretched and under resourced, so it can be very easy for GPs and other health professionals to dismiss or downplay a potential diagnosis. You may bring a list of symptoms to the assessment and try to be honest when explaining your symptoms.
How do I find out if I have a diagnosis?
If you think you or your child may be suffering from ADHD, the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that disrupt your life is obtaining diagnosed. It is a psychological process, but it is crucial to recognize that ADHD isn't a sign of insanity or insufficiency; it is simply a neurobiological condition. It is also essential to recognize that the proper treatment can help you control your ADHD symptoms and improve your quality of living.
To identify you, a professional will usually assess you through an extensive description of your current symptoms and also analyzing the results of questionnaires and scales designed to identify ADHD in adults. They will then apply the criteria set out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) to determine a reliable diagnosis.
In addition to interviewing you and people close to you, the evaluator might be required to conduct medical tests or cognitive tests to rule out any underlying causes of your symptoms. This could include things like seizures and thyroid disorders which may have similar symptoms to ADHD.
During the assessment it is crucial to be forthcoming about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, at work or school. This will allow the evaluator to determine whether you have ADHD or a disorder that is contributing to your symptoms.
Once the evaluation is completed, your clinician will discuss the options for medication with you If you are thinking about these. GPs are not allowed to prescribe ADHD medication. However, they are able to offer other treatments for mental health like CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you choose to obtain a prescription from your physician who will draft a document known as a Shared care agreement for your GP that outlines the treatment you will receive on the NHS.
Asking your friends and family members to recommend experts with experience in ADHD evaluations for adults is a good idea before you go for a private assessment. You can also read online reviews about the local providers and find out more about their techniques. If you prefer, you can use BetterHelp's easy-to-use service to get matched with an experienced therapist within 48 hours.
Can I receive a diagnosis through Right to Choose?
You have the right to choose your mental health provider for an ADHD evaluation if you are a member of a military service. If your chosen doctor has prescribed treatment (usually medication or cognitive behavioral therapy) then you'll need to confirm that your GP accepts either full-time care, or something called a shared care agreement. You can find out which providers have these agreements with the NHS by calling them directly. You can also check the waiting times of providers by visiting this website.
If your GP refers you to an ADHD specialist through the Right to Choose pathway, they will ask you questions about your symptoms and when they first started. This will help your doctor better know your symptoms and the impact on your daily life. Answer these questions with honesty and clarity.
Find out more about how to exercise your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. It's important to note that the NHS currently does not offer the titration of medications through the Right to Choose pathway. Even if you're diagnosed using this route, you might still not be able access the medication that you require.
Private clinics are one of the other ways to get an ADHD diagnosis. The BBC's Panorama program recently exposed private clinics that offer rapid, inexpensive diagnoses for people with ADHD. These methods could have serious repercussions like if you are trying to claim benefits like the Disabled Students' Allowance or reasonable accommodations at work.
It's worth noting that the stimulants prescribed to treat ADHD are Class B drugs which means they are subject to limitations under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're found guilty of committing an offense when using these drugs, you could be liable for a significant fine or even jail time.
In addition to the above in addition, if you're diagnosed ADHD through the NHS or privately, you will be entitled to disability benefits in the form of Attendance Allowance or Income Support dependent on the severity of your condition. You will need to supply the letter from your healthcare provider to prove this, as well as an original copy of your medical records.