What is a Private ADHD Assessment?
private adhd assessment is a session with a qualified psychologist. They will examine your psychiatric past and look at how ADHD symptoms may affect different aspects of your daily life.
Only UK licensed psychiatrists or specialist ADHD nurses can formally diagnose ADHD. You can still obtain an assessment from a 'qualified healthcare professional'. This includes Psychologists.
What can you expect?
In an individual ADHD assessment The psychiatrist who is the consultant will interview you (or your child if it's an ADHD assessment for children) about your symptoms and behavior over time. They might also require you to complete questionnaires and rate your behavior on a variety of scales. They will ask you questions about your family's history, lifestyle and environment.
The consultation with a psychiatrist will last about 90 minutes and is conducted in person or via video conference. It's important to bring any relevant notes, such as school or work performance records and medication details. Wear comfortable clothes and no jewelry during the examination because it could involve physical tests.
You'll be asked about your family history and health and also about any issues you've experienced at school or at work. The consultant psychiatrist will also examine your medical records as well as any other information they may have about you or your child's behaviour. They will then look over any questionnaires or rating scales that you have completed as well as their observations.
Depending on the outcome of your test, depending on the results of your test, you will receive the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD and treatment options. In some cases it will be medication, and in other instances, CBT therapy. They'll talk about your individual needs with you, and when they've reached an agreement on the best treatment plan and have you referred back to your GP in a shared care agreement.
A diagnosis from a specialist can increase your confidence in yourself as well as your relationships with family and close friends. It can also reduce feelings of guilt and shame, as it helps you realise that your symptoms are due to a neurological condition rather than being a sign of weakness or failure.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is an illness that affects millions of people around the world. While it can affect some parts of life, people with ADHD often go on to achieve great things. This includes famous musicians such as Justin Timberlake and Solange Knowles, actors such as Will.i.am and Oscar Winner Michael Phelps, businesspeople such as Paris Hilton and Walt Disney and scientists such as Nobel physicist Albert Einstein.
Making a diagnosis
Finding out if you have ADHD is an important first step in obtaining 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 difficulties. It will also mean that you will discover a way to manage your symptoms and gain control over parts of your life that have been challenging for many years.
During private adhd assessment uk during the assessment, you will be asked questions about how you've been affected by your symptoms as a child and as an adult. You will be given questionnaires ahead of time to fill out. This will allow you to consider your issues and give the psychiatrist a wealth of information that will help them diagnose your ADHD symptoms accurately.
It is crucial to be honest when answering the questions. You should not hesitate due to a fear of criticism or shame. This is because a psychiatrist has to know the extent of your difficulties to be able to evaluate you for ADHD. It is also essential to ensure that you don't get diagnosed with a different disorder. Depression anxiety, stress and other disorders could mimic ADHD symptoms, which can cause serious health issues.
The experts who make the diagnosis are usually GMC certified consultant psychiatrists. They have a wealth of experience in assessing adults with ADHD and are able to identify other disorders which might be causing problems. This is known as differential diagnosis and is a common aspect of the process.
If you are not diagnosed with ADHD, the psychiatrist will explain why. It could be because they believe you don't provide enough information about your difficulties or that another disorder explains your symptoms better than ADHD. It is important to realise that you don't have to accept this diagnosis if you do not agree with it, but you may request an additional opinion from another professional.
Treatment options
In most cases, after an individual has been assessed, they will be offered a treatment plan to help manage their symptoms. Often, a combination is used of medication and specialist coaching. This will improve their overall health and let them reach their full potential. This is an excellent alternative to long NHS waiting times.
It is crucial to realize that a diagnosis of ADHD is not an easy solution, it must be considered a long-term illness. Untreated, people with ADHD might have issues at home, work and in their relationships. The signs of ADHD include poor organisation as well as difficulty in staying focused and being focused, and being easily distracted can create problems in all areas of their lives.
In most cases when adults are diagnosed with ADHD they will also have an history of mental health problems. Depression and bipolar disorder are two of the most common. These conditions can increase the impact of ADHD and make it more difficult to manage. The symptoms can also become more severe when a setback occurs e.g. losing a job or undergoing relationship issues.
If a person is assessed by a psychiatrist, they will need to look at the ways in which the symptoms of ADHD have affected them throughout the course of their life. This will involve questionnaires and rating scales. They might also wish to talk about how the symptoms have affected their family and acquaintances.
The examination will typically last between 45 to 90 minutes. The psychiatrist will discuss the symptoms and possible causes. The psychiatrist will then come up with an assessment.
If the psychiatrist is of the opinion that the symptoms are due to an underlying issue, they will refer the patient for additional medical tests. The psychiatrist will decide on treatment options according to the results.
It is important to remember that private healthcare professionals share the same obligations as those in the NHS. The services they provide must still follow the guidelines laid out by NICE. It is suggested that patients consult their doctor to find out whether they need an appointment letter prior to taking an assessment. They can also contact an individual specialist like Priory, to arrange an assessment.
Aftercare
A private ADHD assessment provides clear advice and expert guidance to ensure that you can pick the right treatment options to suit your symptoms, lifestyle and preferences. The psychiatrist might have to meet with you for a series of sessions and discuss your options for medication. This can take anywhere from two to three hours.
You can access an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS however, you must have an official referral letter from your GP. Private providers may not require this however it is worth confirming before booking.
The first step of the private assessment will be to complete the mental health form which asks about your symptoms, previous treatments, family history and any other mental issues you may be dealing with. It may also include a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) test. This is a talking therapy that helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviours. It can be particularly beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD.
A Consultant Psychiatrist examines the results of your questionnaire, your school's reports and any other evidence that you've provided in addition to an interview with you. You must be honest and truthful because this will impact the results of your private assessment.
If your psychiatrist concludes that you don't have ADHD they will provide the reasons and will tell you whether or not you are able to sign an agreement to share care with your GP for prescriptions (so you only pay the NHS prescription fee) or if they're able to refer you for a further psychiatric opinion elsewhere. It's not uncommon to find that your symptoms are due to other conditions, like PTSD or autism, so it is crucial that you have an exhaustive mental health examination.
It is also crucial that the healthcare provider you go to for your evaluation is in compliance with the guidelines for clinical care as laid out by NICE. This is especially important when assessing adults with ADHD. It is often difficult to identify and treat them effectively. A good service will ensure that the healthcare professional you're consulting is an GMC certified psychiatrist or specialist ADHD nurse and that they have the right expertise in the assessment and treatment of patients suffering from ADHD.