ADHD Assessment in the UK
A full diagnostic assessment is necessary for a correct diagnosis. This will involve screening questionnaires distributed prior to, an interview with you and ideally someone who knows you well from childhood, analysis of historic school reports (if available) and a complete mental health consultation.
The NHS has guidelines to be followed for an ADHD assessment. However, many individuals choose to consult a private healthcare provider to expedite the process and avoid lengthy waiting lists.
What is ADHD assessment?
A healthcare professional can listen to your concerns and help you comprehend them by conducting an ADHD assessment. You will be working with a senior psychiatrist to determine the root of the issue and how it might be impacting your life. They will evaluate you with a variety of tools including symptom checklists or behaviour rating scales. They will also look at any family history and past experiences of mental health problems. The psychiatrist will then be able confirm which of the three main subtypes of mental illness you may have.
The specialist will also confirm the absence of any other psychological or medical conditions that could mimic the symptoms of ADHD. This is important as If you're misdiagnosed with ADHD the symptoms might not improve. The specialist will also determine the severity of the symptoms and how these affect your daily functioning with the same criteria as an NHS specialist.
It is a good idea to prepare a list of questions or concerns that you're facing ahead of time. This will ensure that your requirements are met and that nothing is missed. You should also take a note about any difficulties you are experiencing. You can remember these things better if you write them down. It can help in receiving an ADHD diagnosis more effective.
Bring any relevant documentation to your appointment. You may bring old school or work report cards or even performance evaluations. You can also assist the doctor by bringing in any documents you may have that show how ADHD has affected your life.
You may be asked to fill out pre-screening questions prior to your appointment. These can be accessed by logging in to your portal dashboard. They are typically available for you to fill out prior to your appointment with your psychiatrist. It is recommended to do this as soon as possible, because it will reduce your wait time.
How can I get an ADHD evaluation?
A diagnosis of ADHD could be the first step towards getting the support and help you require. In the UK the GP cannot diagnose ADHD however they can refer an assessment to a psychologist or psychiatrist who are the only healthcare professionals in the country qualified to determine the diagnosis (and prescribe medication when needed).
The NHS will fund an ADHD assessment by a psychologist or psychiatrist. The assessment will last between 45 to 90 minutes. You will be asked questions about your general mental health and your family's history of mental health and the symptoms you are experiencing. The specialist will also consider any other medical and psychological conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Your doctor will also ask you whether you've experienced similar problems. The current diagnostic guidelines stipulate that ADHD can only be diagnosed as an adult when symptoms have been evident since childhood.
If you've had these symptoms since adulthood your doctor will inquire whether your symptoms have improved over time. They will also consider any other factors that could influence your symptoms, such as anxiety and stress. They might also suggest that you enroll in a group-based ADHD education and support programme or refer you to other therapies, like cognitive behavior therapy.
If you are having difficulty accessing an NHS-funded ADHD assessment, you can make use of your Right to Choose when you live in England. You can choose to have your assessment privately in the event that the NHS wait time is too long or you don't want to wait around at all. Private assessments are more expensive however, they offer direct treatment. Your doctor will provide you with a detailed report you can bring to your GP. They will also discuss any medication or other treatment options recommended with you. They will also provide recommendations to your workplace or school if requested. This could be an additional cost depending on the length of time required to write the letter.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
An ADHD evaluation begins with a psychiatric assessment. Your doctor will ask you questions regarding your health, lifestyle, family, and development. They will also send you standardised questionnaires. They may also interview other people, including siblings, parents, or spouses as well as ask your friends teachers, coaches or other colleagues to share their thoughts as well. The interviews aren't designed to criticise, but rather to identify other factors which may be causing symptoms such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
During the interview, your doctor might review any documents you bring with them, for example, the results of previous psychological tests or old school reports. The evaluator may also spend some time with someone who knows you well like your spouse, sibling or even your parent. This is to collect information about your childhood experiences as you might have forgotten some details or the behaviours might have changed as you grew older.
The psychiatrist will also review the information you gave in response to the standardised questionnaire prior to your appointment to ensure that they will have an accurate understanding of your symptoms. They will also look at any other historical data such as old school records or a neurological or medical examination. This is to determine if you meet 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. For adults, this is at least five symptoms that have been established over the same period of time.
After they have gathered all the relevant details the doctor will conduct a personal clinical interview with you. The psychiatrist will review the information gathered to determine if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms. This process involves evaluating your symptoms using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
If your psychiatrist concludes that you have ADHD, he or she will send a letter to your GP. The GP will then decide on an appropriate treatment plan that may include the use of pharmacological (medication) or psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you have a legal right to choose your own healthcare provider, so you can visit your private clinician to get an ADHD assessment if you do not want to wait for the NHS.
What happens following an ADHD assessment?
A professional ADHD diagnosis can transform your life. It can assist you in obtaining treatment, and it could also reduce feelings of confusion and self-doubt about your symptoms.
If you suspect that your child or you may suffer from ADHD, the first step is to speak with an GP. They can refer you directly to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is the only UK healthcare professional certified to diagnose ADHD. NHS patients may be waiting for months to receive a referral. Many opt to go through private.
Once you've been referred to an assessment the child or you will be interviewed in person by your clinician. The interview will cover topics like development, health family history, development, and lifestyle. how to get an assessment for adhd may also ask to talk to other people, like coaches, teachers or daycare providers. This isn't to check your answers, but rather to understand how your symptoms affect your child or you in different situations.
The doctor will employ rating scales as well to determine the frequency of certain symptoms such as restlessness or difficulty staying focused. This will help determine if you are in line with the criteria for ADHD. They will also determine if there are any other problems that you might have like anxiety or depression. If you have an ancestor with ADHD it is worthwhile telling your clinician this, too, as there are genetic influences that affect the likelihood of developing the disorder.
Your doctor will prepare an extensive report you can present to your GP after the psychiatric evaluation. The report will include a thorough diagnosis and a treatment recommendation.
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your GP might suggest a test of medication. If the medication is effective it is important to inform your insurance company and the DVLA in order to have to update your driving licence. Your therapist may suggest that you and your child take a parenting class to learn together how to manage ADHD. This can improve your relationship with your child, and assist you in becoming a more confident and understanding parent.