What is a Private ADHD Assessment?
A private ADHD assessment is an appointment with a clinician who has experience in the field. They will look at your psychiatric past and look at how ADHD symptoms can impact the various aspects of your life.
Only UK registered psychiatrists or specialist ADHD nurses can officially diagnose ADHD. You can still receive an assessment from a 'appropriately-qualified healthcare professional'. Psychologists are among them.
What can we expect?
During a private ADHD assessment The psychiatrist who is the consultant will talk to you (or your child if it's an ADHD assessment for children) about symptoms and behaviour over time. They might also ask you to fill in questionnaires and assess your behavior on different scales. They will inquire about your family history and your lifestyle and the environment you live in.
The consultation is 90 minutes long, and can be conducted in person or via video call. It's important to bring any relevant notes with you, such as school or work performance records and medication details. You should also wear comfortable clothing and no jewellery for the assessment since it may involve physical examinations.
You will be asked to provide information regarding your health, family history and any issues you've had at work or in school. The psychiatrist consultant will also review your medical records as well as any other information that they may have about your child or yourself. They'll then review the results of any questionnaires or rating scales you've completed as well as their own observations.
Depending on the results of your evaluation you will be given an assessment for ADD or ADHD and treatment options. In some cases this will be medication, while in others, CBT therapy. They will talk about your needs and agree on the treatment plan. After they have agreed on a treatment plan they will refer you to your GP under a shared-care agreement.
It's important to understand that a professional diagnosis can make you feel more confident about your capabilities and improve relationships with family and friends. It can also help reduce feelings of shame and guilt because it helps you realise that the symptoms you experience are caused by a neurological condition rather than being a sign of weakness or failure.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is an illness that affects millions around the globe. While ADHD can be a problem in certain areas of life, a lot of people with ADHD achieve great things. They include famous musicians like Justin Timberlake and Solange Knowles and actors like Will.i.am and Oscar Winner Michael Phelps, businesspeople such as Paris Hilton and Walt Disney and scientists such as Nobel physicist Albert Einstein.
Getting an accurate diagnosis
The process of obtaining a diagnosis is the first step to getting help for ADHD. You'll be able to stop blaming yourself for the problems you are having and begin to understand that your ADHD is the reason for your problems. You'll also be able to discover an approach to managing your symptoms and regain some control over areas of your life that have been problematic for quite some time.
During the exam, you will be asked about your symptoms both as a child, and also as an adult. You may also be given questionnaires to fill in advance of the appointment. This will help you think about your issues and provide the psychiatrist with a wealth of information that can be used to accurately diagnose your ADHD symptoms.
You should be honest and don't hold off from answering the questions out of fear of being judged or embarrassed. A psychiatrist will need to understand your entire spectrum of issues to be able to diagnose ADHD. It is essential to stay clear of being diagnosed with something else. Depression anxiety, stress, and other disorders may cause ADHD symptoms, which can have serious health consequences.
The professionals who make the diagnosis are typically GMC registered psychiatrists. They will have a huge amount of experience in the assessment of adults for ADHD and they are able to recognize other disorders that could be causing your difficulties. This is called differential diagnosis and is a standard component of the process.
If a psychiatrist believes that you don't meet the criteria for ADHD the doctor will explain the reason. It could be because they believe that you don't give enough detail about your difficulties or that another disorder could explain your symptoms better than ADHD. It is important to realise that you don't have to accept this diagnosis if you do not believe in it, however you are able to request an opinion from an alternative medical professional.
Treatment options
In most cases, after an individual has been assessed, they will be offered a treatment package to help manage their symptoms. Most often, a combination is employed of medications and specialist coaching. This can improve their overall wellbeing and help them achieve their full potential. This is a great alternative to the long NHS waiting list.
It is essential to understand that ADHD is a long-term condition and should not be treated as such. If untreated, people who suffer from ADHD might have difficulties at work as well as in relationships and in their home life. Poor organisation, difficulty staying on task and focused and being easily distracted can create problems for those with ADHD in all areas of their lives.
Most of the time, when adults are diagnosed with ADHD they may also have an antecedent of mental health issues. www.iampsychiatry.uk can include depression and bipolar disorder. These conditions can increase the effects of ADHD and make it more difficult to manage. The symptoms can also get worse if a setback occurs, e.g. losing a job or having relationship problems.
The psychiatrist will evaluate the person's symptoms of ADHD throughout their life. This may involve the use of questionnaires and rating systems. They may also want to discuss how their symptoms have affected their family and friends.
The examination typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. The psychiatrist will go over the symptoms that are being experienced and look over a list of possible causes. The psychiatrist will then make the diagnosis.
If the psychiatrist believes that the symptoms are due to an underlying issue, they will refer the patient for additional medical tests. Depending on the results of these, the psychiatrist will then decide what treatment options are available to them.
It is important to note that private healthcare professionals have the same responsibilities as those in the NHS. This means that the services they provide must still be in accordance with the guidelines set out by NICE. It is suggested to consult your GP to determine if they need a referral before taking an assessment. Or, they can contact a private specialist like Priory to schedule the assessment for themselves.
Aftercare
A private ADHD assessment offers clear advice and expert guidance so that you can choose the best treatment options that match your lifestyle, symptoms and preferences. It is a process that can take up to two hours or more to discuss your medication options, and may involve a number of sessions with the psychiatrist.
You can get an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS, but you'll need a referral letter from your GP. Private providers may not require this but it is worth checking before making a booking.
The first stage of the private assessment process is to complete the mental health questionnaire which includes questions regarding your symptoms and family history, prior treatments, and any other mental health issues you have. The private assessment procedure may also include a test for cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). This is a problem-solving talking therapy which can help you transform your negative thoughts and behavior. It is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD.
Once the questionnaire is completed, a Consultant Psychiatrist will review the results of the questionnaire and school reports, as well as any other evidence that you have provided, and conduct an interview with you. You must be honest and truthful since this will affect the outcome of your private assessment.
If a psychiatrist determines that you do not suffer from ADHD they will provide the reasons and will tell you if or not you can get a shared care agreement with your GP for prescriptions (so you only pay the NHS prescription cost) or if they're able to refer you for a further psychiatric opinion elsewhere. It's not uncommon to find a different condition that could be causing your symptoms, like autism or PTSD or PTSD, which look similar to ADHD so it's essential that you have a full mental health screening.
It is essential to ensure that the private healthcare provider who conducts your assessment follows the clinical guidelines set forth by NICE. This is particularly important when assessing adults with ADHD. It can be difficult to diagnose and effectively treat them. A reputable service will ensure that the healthcare professional you are seeing is a GMC certified psychiatrist or a specialist ADHD nurse and has the appropriate expertise in the assessment and treatment of patients with ADHD.