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ADHD Assessment in the UK A full diagnostic assessment is necessary for a correct diagnosis. This will involve screening questionnaires that are sent out prior to and an interview with you, at least one person who knows you well from childhood, an analysis of your historical school reports (if available) and a full mental health consultation. The NHS has guidelines to be followed in order to conduct an ADHD assessment. However, many opt to consult private healthcare providers to speed up the process and avoid long waiting lists. What is ADHD assessment? A healthcare professional will listen to your concerns and help get to the bottom of them with an ADHD assessment. You will work with a qualified psychiatrist to discover what's happening and how it could be impacting your daily life. They will assess you using various tools, such as symptom checklists or rating scales. They will also take into account any family history of mental health issues as well as your previous experiences. The psychiatrist will then be able to confirm which of three major subtypes you might have. The specialist will also rule-out any other medical or mental conditions that could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is crucial because if a condition is mistakenly attributed to ADHD the patient could be misdiagnosed and the symptoms of ADHD might not improve. The expert will also assess the severity of the symptoms and how they affect your daily activities by using the same criteria as an NHS specialist. Prepare a list in advance of any concerns or questions you may have. This will ensure that your needs are met and that nothing is missed. It is also important to make notes of any issues you're having. It is easier to remember these issues better if you write them down. This will also make the process of receiving an ADHD diagnosis more effective. It is recommended that you bring any relevant documentation with you to your appointment. This could include performance evaluations you receive from your job or old reports from school. If you have any health or educational records that could be used to show the impact of ADHD on your life, these are helpful for the specialist to have also. You might be asked to complete pre-screening questions prior to your appointment. These can be completed through your portal dashboard, and will usually be ready to fill out prior to when you meet with your psychiatrist. It is recommended to fill in the form as early as possible and will cut down the amount of time you'll wait. How can I get an ADHD assessment? A diagnosis of ADHD could be the first step to get the help and support you require. In the UK doctors are not able to diagnose ADHD. However they are able to refer a patient to a psychiatrist. An NHS-funded ADHD evaluation will be conducted by a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist. It typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health, your family's history of mental health and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also look at any other psychological or medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your specialist will also inquire if you've ever had similar issues. Current diagnostic guidelines indicate that ADHD is only diagnosed as an adult if symptoms have been evident since childhood. If you've experienced these symptoms since becoming an adult your doctor will inquire whether your symptoms have improved over time. They will also consider any other factors which can affect your symptoms, like anxiety and stress. They may also suggest that you join a group-based ADHD education and support program or suggest other therapies, like cognitive therapy for behavior. If you live in England and are having difficulty getting an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you are able to avail your Right to Choose. This means you can opt to take a private assessment if you are satisfied with the wait time for an NHS assessment or if you wish to avoid waiting altogether. Private assessments are more costly, but they give you direct treatment. Your specialist will provide you with a thorough report you can bring to your GP. They will also discuss any other treatment options with you. If requested, they'll also send a recommendation letter to your workplace or school. It could be an additional cost dependent on the amount of time it takes to prepare the letter. What happens during a ADHD assessment? A psychiatric examination is the first step in an ADHD assessment. Your doctor will review your symptoms history and ask you questions about your health, development and family life. They will also utilize standard questionnaires that will be sent to you beforehand. They may also ask for opinions from teachers, friends and coaches, as well as spouses. The interviews aren't designed to criticise you, but to help identify other causes that could be causing your symptoms, like anxiety or depression. During the appointment, your doctor will look at any records that you bring for example, evaluations of your performance at work, copies of previous psychological test results or even old school reports. The evaluation will also involve talking to the person who knows you best for example, your spouse, sibling or parent. This is mostly to collect information about your childhood experiences as you might have forgotten certain specifics or your behaviours may have changed as you got older. The psychiatrist will also analyze any information you have provided on the standardised questionnaires before your appointment, so they have an overview of your symptoms. They will also review any other historical data, such as old school reports, or an exam for neurodevelopmental or medical conditions. This is to make sure that you meet the 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. Adults must show at least five symptoms established during the same time frame. After they have gathered all relevant information, your doctor will conduct a personal clinical interview with you. They will review the information they've gathered and determine if you exhibit the signs of ADHD. This is usually done by going through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-V) rating scales to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria. If your doctor determines that you have ADHD The doctor will submit a report to your GP. The doctor will then decide on a treatment plan that may include the use of pharmacological therapy (medication) and psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In how to get a adhd assessment , Wales, and Northern Ireland, you have the option of choosing your healthcare provider. If you do not want to wait until you receive an ADHD assessment from the NHS you can consult your own personal doctor. What happens following an ADHD assessment? A professional ADHD diagnosis can transform your life. It can help you get treatment and lessen feelings of confusion or self-doubt. The first thing to do if you suspect you or your child may have ADHD is to speak with your GP. They may refer you to a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist, who are the only healthcare professionals qualified in the UK to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients can wait for months to get a referral, so many choose to go private instead. If you've been referred to an assessment, your doctor will meet with you or your child in person. The interview will include topics such as health, development, family history, and lifestyle. The doctor may request to speak to other people such as teachers or daycare providers. This is not an attempt to check your answers, but to find out what your symptoms can do to your child or different situations. The clinician will use rating scales as well to determine the frequency of certain symptoms, such as trouble staying focused or restlessness. This will determine if you have the standard criteria for ADHD. They will also determine if there are any other problems that you may be suffering from like anxiety or depression. It is important to tell your physician if there is a a history of ADHD in your family. Genetics can influence whether you develop the disorder. After the psychiatric evaluation your doctor will write up a comprehensive report that you can bring to your GP. This will include a detailed diagnosis as well as a treatment recommendation. If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your GP may suggest a trial of medication. If the medication is successful you should inform the DVLA and your insurance company, since you'll have to update your driver's licence. Your therapist may recommend that you and your child attend a parenting class to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can help improve your relationship with the child and help you become a more confident parent.