ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK, you have a legal right to choose who provides your specialist NHS mental health examinations. Not all healthcare professionals have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD.
Panorama has received complaints from whistleblowers and patients who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe drugs without proper checks. We went undercover to learn more.
What is an assessment of an initiative?
A psychiatrist will meet with you to discuss the impact of ADHD on your life and whether medication can assist. adult adhd assessment private will be asked to provide information about your symptoms and the problems they cause. You will be asked about your family and work life. Some patients find it useful to write down symptoms before their appointment. This helps them recall their symptoms. A psychiatrist is typically spending 45 to 90 minutes with you during an assessment.
You can have an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS or privately. The GP must take ADHD concerns seriously and refer you to an assessment. However this system isn't without its flaws. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns over doctors prescribing powerful medications for long periods of time, and not taking into account the medical history of patients.
If you are worried about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD consider a different GP. There's a great site on Psychiatry-UK which offers tips for doing this and templates for letters that you can use to make your request.
Private psychiatric treatment is faster and more professional, especially in London. The cost ranges between PS600 to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists have experience conducting assessments of people from different backgrounds, and can offer an individual treatment plan, particularly if you're highly educated or have a thriving career. They are also able to screen and assist with co-morbidities such as depression and anxiety which are typically present in conjunction with ADHD.
The Psychiatrist will examine your symptoms and apply the DSM V criteria to determine whether you are eligible for an ADHD diagnosis. You will be required to demonstrate six traits (symptoms) that are present in your life today and how they have affected your past experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then advise you on your options and the next steps. You can decide to start treatment with stimulants like methylphenidate. Stimulants belong to the class B drug and therefore is controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act. They must be prescribed by an experienced psychiatrist or a doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnostic?
A diagnosis is a medical term used to identify the cause of a condition, injury or condition. A doctor will make an assessment and usually accompany it with an action plan. The diagnosis is an essential element of the curriculum for medical students and is a crucial part of the training of doctors working in all areas of medicine. The word is frequently used in medical journals as well as in health-related articles.
There are many ways to receive an ADHD diagnosis in the UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to a clinic or an adult ADHD specialist. A private psychiatrist can also provide the diagnosis. Private psychiatrists usually have extensive experience diagnosing adults with ADHD and can provide a much quicker, more professional and a more thorough process. They are also more aware of other conditions which may cause similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can discuss treatment options with your psychiatrist. This may include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as other non-medicated treatments like relaxation or mindfulness techniques. You can then decide if you want to take up the option that best meets your requirements.
A diagnosis of ADHD can also allow you to obtain reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance. This is particularly crucial in the case of DSA, as it helps those with disabilities and illnesses in their daily routine.
If you're considering stimulants such as methylphenidate to treat your ADHD be aware that these drugs are class B drugs and can cause addiction. If you're concerned your psychiatrist may refer you to a GP that can prescribe a treatment with no stimulants.
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a difficult and frustrating process. There are many aspects to take into consideration, and the NHS system is usually over stressed and under-funded, so it can be very easy for GPs or other health professionals to ignore or minimize a possible diagnosis. It can be helpful to take a list of your symptoms to the assessment and try to be as objective as you possibly can when describing the symptoms.
How do I obtain a diagnosis?
Your child or you might have ADHD. The first step in addressing the symptoms that could disrupt your life is to get an assessment. It's not an easy process, but it's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign laziness or a lack of intelligence. It is a neurobiological disorder. It is also vital to recognize that the proper treatment can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and improve the quality of your living.
To diagnose you, a professional will usually assess you through the combination of a thorough background and discussion of your current symptoms, and also analyzing the results of questionnaires and scales that have been developed to detect ADHD in adults. They will then apply the criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to identify the cause of your symptoms.
The evaluator also interviews you and your family members, and may conduct medical or cognitive tests to determine any root causes behind your symptoms. This could include things such as seizures and thyroid disorders that can have similar symptoms as ADHD.
During the assessment, it is important to be forthcoming about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, at work or school. This is so that the evaluator can determine whether or not you have an ADHD diagnosis or a co-existing disorder that is contributing to your symptoms.
Once the assessment is complete your doctor will go over medication options with you if you are considering them. GPs cannot prescribe ADHD medications, but they can do other types of mental health treatments, such as CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy). If you choose to obtain a prescription from your clinician who will prepare paperwork called a Shared care Agreement for your GP that specifies the treatment you will receive on the NHS.
Before you make a diagnosis that is private, it is a good idea to ask your family and friends for recommendations of professionals who have experience with ADHD assessments for adults. You can also search the internet for reviews of the providers in your area and learn about the various approaches they employ. You can also make use of BetterHelp's simple service to get matched within 48 hours with an experienced therapist.
Can I get a diagnostic through Right to Choose?
If you're a member of the Armed Forces, you have the right to choose the mental health provider you're recommended to for an ADHD assessment. After your chosen provider has prescribed treatment (usually medication or cognitive behavioral therapy) it is your responsibility to ensure that your GP is willing to accept either full care, or something called a shared care agreement. Contacting the provider directly will let you find out if they are covered by contracts with NHS. You can also find waiting times on this website before you decide to sign up with a particular provider.
If your GP refers you to an ADHD specialist through the Right to Choose pathway, they will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and when they first started. This will help your provider understand the extent of your symptoms and how they impact your life. It's important to answer these honestly and clearly.
On the NHS website, you can learn more about how to exercise Your Right to Choose. It's worth noting that the NHS currently doesn't offer the titration of medications through the Right to Choose pathway. Even if you're diagnosed using this pathway, you may still not be able access the medication that you need.
There are a variety of other routes to an ADHD diagnosis which include private clinics. The BBC's Panorama program recently exposed private clinics offering rapid, inexpensive diagnoses for people with ADHD. These practices could have serious consequences like when you attempt to claim benefits such as the Disabled Students allowance or reasonable accommodations at work.
It is important to remember that stimulants that are prescribed for ADHD fall under the category of Class B drugs, and are subject to restrictions under The Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're found guilty of committing a criminal offence when you're taking these medications you could face an extensive fine or even jail time.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD, either through the NHS or privately you may be entitled to disability benefits, such as Income Support, Attendance Allowance or both, depending on the degree of the disorder. You'll need to provide an official letter from your doctor that proves this, along with a copy of your medical records.