How to Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis
Many patients seeking an assessment of ADHD are struggling under the pressure of a sluggish NHS waiting lists. Some patients are desperate to get answers and will pay private companies to provide them with.
However, a recent BBC Panorama investigation has suggested that many of these private clinics are handing out unreliable health assessments. This has led to debate and concerns about the quality of care that patients receive.
Diagnosis
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD to be diagnosed, you'll need to go through a complete assessment with psychiatrist. While some people get their diagnosis made by psychologists or other mental health professionals, a psychiatrist is the only one who can provide you with an official diagnosis that is recognized for medication. This is especially important since an official diagnosis is required to gain access to workplace protections (such as flexible working) and to gain access to NHS medication (which can only be prescribed by a Psychiatrist).
The symptoms of ADHD are categorized into three main categories: hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. While everyone exhibits some of these traits occasionally, those with ADHD will often demonstrate them to a much more severe degree than others. Hyperactivity can manifest as fidgeting or being agitated. It may also include issues with planning and organization. Impulsive behavior can involve making reckless decisions, buying things without thinking about the consequences or rushing into situations without proper planning. Inattentional ADD symptoms can include trouble staying focused on tasks that require attention, avoiding deadlines, or finding it difficult to plan ahead. Combined ADHD is the most common form of the condition and involves problems with both inattentive and impulsive/hyperactive symptoms.
Many adults are hesitant to seek a diagnosis. However, this is important to receive the assistance and treatment you require. A diagnosis of ADHD can bring a sense of relief and clarity to your life. It can help you comprehend your symptoms and provide strategies and tools that will aid you in conquering them. After being diagnosed, many of our patients say that their lives have changed for the better.
The process of assessment will include an interview about your symptoms and how they impact your life, taking the DIVA online test, and a detailed clinical interview. Our psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults and are highly skilled to make you feel at ease.
Assessment
If you are an adult with ADHD you'll need to go through an exhaustive assessment before being diagnosed. The assessment must be conducted by a healthcare professional who is an ADHD specialist. This can be a specialist nurse, psychologist or psychiatrist (though nurses are not able to prescribe medication). It is not important where they are in the pecking order of healthcare professionals, since it is their particular skills and knowledge that defines them as specialist.
A specialist will utilize structured interviewing to collect as much information on your symptoms as they can, including how they affect you and your relationships, and for how long. They will also go over your medical history and ask about your the mental health history of your family as well. The specialist will then consider all the information collected from various sources and determine an assessment based on the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria.
During the process of assessment you will be asked to take tests that are designed to assess your symptoms and assess their impact on your daily functioning. These can include questionnaires on your symptoms, memory, and inkblots as well as timed tasks or puzzles. They will also consider any other comorbid conditions that you might be suffering from, as many of them can have similar symptoms to those that are associated with ADHD.
A family member, friend or partner will be questioned as part of the assessment. This is to confirm your ADHD symptoms and to website determine whether they affect your work or relationships.
The specialist you meet with will be able to provide you a comprehensive report detailing the results of your evaluation and the options available for treatment, such as an agreement to share care with your GP for medications (where you pay only the NHS prescription charge). The doctor will explain their holistic plan as well as any medication they feel is appropriate.
Treatment
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD isn't easy for those who suffer from the condition. The first step is to get an individual assessment with a specialist doctor who will be able to confirm or refuse the diagnosis. These are usually psychiatrists with extensive experience in the field of neurodevelopmental issues. The doctor will also be able to tell you if you have other mental health issues that could explain some of your symptoms, or if the symptoms are related to the medication you're taking.
Once the test is complete the doctor will review the results and suggest the best treatment plan. Depending on the requirements of each person, you may be prescribed medication or undergo psychotherapy. Most people with ADHD receive stimulant medications to help improve their symptoms. These medications are believed to increase brain's natural chemical messages, such as norepinephrine and dopamine which play a crucial role in attention and movements. Most people notice that their symptoms get better when they take the medication regularly.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from a treatment program that focuses on improving their relationships and self-esteem. It can include strategies that can reduce their frustrations and improve their ability to manage their time and work. Certain people with ADHD might also benefit from dietary modifications that can boost their energy levels.
Certain adults are more likely to struggle to receive a diagnosis of ADHD than others, particularly when they belong to a minority group. This is due to the fact that some medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like. They are more likely to have their ADHD misdiagnosed or even not treated.
Finding affordable treatments and evaluations can be a challenge, particularly if you don't have insurance. Many hospital-based clinics offer specialized ADHD clinics which take into the financial aspects. These clinics are also more likely to take advantage of a variety of insurance plans and have residents or interns in training who provide treatment under mentor supervision.
Support
People with ADHD struggle to understand the impact of their condition on their lives. They don't realize that their difficulties with organizing, planning and completing tasks can cause problems at work or relationships. People with high IQs are more likely to not understand the impact of ADHD. They might develop strategies to cope that enable them to function at a level below their potential however, these strategies could lead to issues such as depression and anxiety, or addiction to alcohol or drugs.
This story highlights the need for seeking out an expert diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. Many people are unable to get NHS care because of logjammed waiting lists. Others are paying to access private healthcare, but there is no guarantee that their GP will sign a'shared care agreement' that will allow patients to return to the NHS for follow-up treatment after receiving a private diagnosis of ADHD. This could mean having to paying for CBT therapy and medication on their own or even more expensive specialist coaching services.
It is important to ensure that any health professional you're thinking of working with has a solid track record of working with adults suffering from ADHD. You can check this by looking up their website, or contacting them to ensure they have the knowledge you need. You can also determine if they have experience treating comorbid disorders (disorders that co-exist with ADHD).
It is essential to select the appropriate psychiatrist or therapy since they are the ones to prescribe medication if necessary. Find a doctor who has specialized training on adult ADHD. You can do this by contacting your local support group for adults with ADHD, or the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) organization to find an expert in your area.
You should also think about your personal preferences when choosing a therapist or psychiatrist. For instance, some individuals will be more comfortable with a psychiatrist who is of their gender or cultural. It is also possible to work with someone who is LGBTQIA+ or has experience working with clients with kinks.