ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK, you have a legal right to choose who offers your specialized NHS mental health examinations. However, not all healthcare professionals are qualified to recognize ADHD.
Panorama has heard from patients and whistleblowers who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe drugs without proper checks. We went undercover to find out more.
What is an assessment?
A psychiatrist will meet with you to discuss the effects of ADHD on your life and whether medications can aid you. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms and the issues they cause. You will also be asked about your work and family life. Some patients find it helpful to note down their symptoms prior to their appointment. This is so they can recall their symptoms. A psychiatrist will usually spend 45 to 90 minutes with you during an assessment.
There are two ways to receive an adult ADHD assessment The other is through the NHS or private. The GP must take ADHD concerns seriously and recommend you to an assessment. The system is not without its problems. private adhd assessment london raised concerns over doctors prescribing powerful drugs for long periods of time and not considering the medical history of patients.
If you are worried about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD consider a different GP. On the Psychiatry-UK site there is an aid that contains templates and tips to submit your request.
Private psychiatric care is much faster and more professional, particularly in London. The cost can range from PS600 to up to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists are experienced in the assessment of adults from diverse backgrounds, and can offer an individualized treatment plan especially if you are highly skilled or have a lucrative career. They can also assess for and assist with any co-morbidities that are commonly found alongside ADHD, like depression and anxiety.
The Psychiatrist assesses your symptoms based on the DSM V criteria and determines whether you meet the criteria of an ADHD diagnosis. You will have to demonstrate six traits (symptoms), which are present in your current life and how they've affected your previous experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then inform you on your options and next steps. You can decide to begin treatment that involves stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants are a class B drug and therefore controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act. They are only prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnostic?
A diagnosis is a medical term that means the identification of a condition, illness or injury. A doctor will make an assessment and usually accompany it with a treatment plan. The diagnosis is a major component of the curriculum of medical students and is a crucial part of the education of doctors in all areas of medicine. The word is frequently used in medical journals and in health-related articles.
There are a variety of ways to obtain an ADHD diagnosis in UK. One way is to see your GP and request them to refer you to an adult ADHD specialist or a clinic. Another option is to ask an appointment with a private psychiatrist who will make a diagnosis. Private psychiatrists are more adept in diagnosing ADHD in adults and provide a faster, more professional, and more understanding process. They also have a better understanding of the other conditions that can cause confusion symptoms with ADHD like anxiety and depression.
Once you have been diagnosed and have a treatment plan, you can discuss options with your psychiatrist. This may include medication or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as well as other non-medication therapies such relaxation or mindfulness techniques. You can decide 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. This is especially important in the case of DSA as it assists people with disabilities and illnesses in their daily activities.
If you are thinking about using stimulants such as methylphenidate to treat your ADHD be aware that these are class B drugs which could cause addiction. If you're concerned about this, your doctor may refer you to a GP who can prescribe a different kind of treatment that doesn't contain stimulants.
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and stressful process. There are a number of things to take into account as well as the NHS system is often stressed and under-funded, so it can be very easy for GPs and other health professionals to dismiss or downplay a potential diagnosis. You can bring a list of symptoms to the examination, and try to be honest when describing your symptoms.
How do I find out if I have a diagnosis?
You or your child may be suffering from ADHD. The first step to controlling symptoms that can disrupt your life is to seek an assessment. It's a challenging process, but it's crucial to remember that ADHD is not a sign laziness or a lack of intelligence. It is an underlying neurobiological disorder. It is also vital to recognize that the proper treatment can help you control your ADHD symptoms and improve your quality of living.
A professional will diagnose you by combining a detailed history and a detailed discussion of your current symptoms and analysing the results of the questionnaires and scales designed to detect ADHD among adults. They will then apply the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) to arrive at a precise diagnosis.
The evaluator also interviews you and your family members and may conduct medical or cognitive tests to rule out any root causes behind your symptoms. This could include thyroid disorders and seizures, which typically have similar symptoms as ADHD.
During the evaluation, it is important to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, at work or school. This is so that the examiner can determine whether or not you have an ADHD diagnosis or a co-existing condition which is causing your symptoms.
After the assessment is completed the doctor will discuss the options for medication with you If you are thinking about these. Doctors are not able to prescribe ADHD medications, but they can do other types of mental health treatment such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you choose to seek a prescription, your clinician will create a form for your GP called a Shared Care Agreement which outlines what treatment you'll receive on the NHS and who will be receiving it.
Asking your family and friends to recommend professionals with expertise in ADHD evaluations of adults is a great idea before you go for an individual assessment. You can also read reviews online regarding the services in your area and find out more about their techniques. If you prefer, you can use BetterHelp's user-friendly service to be the right therapist within 48 hours.
Can I receive a diagnosis using Right to Choose?
You are entitled to choose your mental health provider for an ADHD assessment if you're an active military service. If your chosen doctor has prescribed treatment (usually medication or cognitive behavioral therapy) then you'll need to confirm that your GP is willing to accept either full treatment, or what's known as a shared care agreement. You can find out which providers have these contracts with the NHS by calling them directly. You can check the waiting times of providers by visiting this website.
If your GP recommends 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. It's important to answer these honestly and clearly.
Find out more about how to exercise your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. It's worth noting that the NHS currently does not offer a titration service for medications through the Right to Choose pathway. If you get diagnosed through this method, you might not be eligible for the medication you require.
Private clinics are among the other options to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The BBC's Panorama program recently exposed private clinics that offer quick, cheap diagnoses for people with ADHD. These shortcuts could have serious consequences like when you attempt to claim benefits such as the Disabled Students Allowance or other reasonable accommodations at work.
It is important to remember that stimulants prescribed for ADHD are classified as Class B drugs and are subject to restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're convicted of committing an offence of criminal intent while taking these drugs you could be subject to a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD whether through the NHS or privately you may be eligible for benefits for disabled people like Income Support, Attendance Allowance, or both, depending on the severity. You'll need to provide an official letter from your doctor that proves this, as well as an original copy of your medical records.