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ADHD Diagnosis – The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD Many adults are seeking an ADHD assessment because they feel something isn't quite right. They might be concerned about their work or relationships. According to the current NHS guidelines for England and Wales you are entitled to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will follow NICE Guidelines and will seek observer reports from people who know you well, especially as you were a child. What is ADHD assessment? Getting an ADHD assessment is the first step to discovering if you or your child suffer from this condition. You will be interviewed by an accredited specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who are the only healthcare professionals certified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. They may employ a variety of methods to assess your symptoms, such as checklists and behavior rating scales, and interview people who are familiar with you. They might also request your medical history and physical examination to rule out conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder that can mimic ADHD. It's important to be honest and candid during your assessment. If you're not, the evaluator may think you aren't serious about getting diagnosed or the symptoms aren't too bad. In the course of your assessment, you'll likely be asked to provide information regarding your history of mental health and those of your family members, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be required to fill out the form or fill in an assessment of your behavior and you'll have be aware of the actions you're taking during your assessment. To be diagnosed to be eligible for a diagnosis, you must exhibit at least six symptoms of ADHD that appear in two or more settings like home and school, and affect your daily life. These symptoms must have manifested in the early years of your life before the age of 12 and cannot be explained by other disorders, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred to your GP or an independent psychiatrist who specializes with ADHD to receive treatment. If you decide to go the private route, you'll discover that the wait is significantly less than the NHS. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait more than a year. This can be a huge burden for those who are struggling. Some people who were on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide due to the stress and frustration of waiting. The private route usually allows you to begin treatment in a short time, and the majority of private psychiatrists have a lot of experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. They can also look for and treat co-morbidities such as anxiety or depression. Why do I need an assessment? If you believe that you may have ADHD or are experiencing problems in your life that are caused by it, you will need an assessment by a professional psychiatrist. This should be conducted by a specialist psychiatrist who is well-versed in neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. Psychotherapists and psychologists can also perform this type of assessment. If you're not sure which therapist to choose then you can ask your physician for a recommendation or another therapist you know. You can also search the web for professionals in your area with good reputations. Some insurance plans also provide lists of professional who are qualified. A structured interview and questions will be part of the process for a complete clinical diagnosis. The primary focus will be on your symptoms within the present work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will ask you about the history of your symptoms in your adolescent and childhood and will then focus on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also determine whether you have any other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. Based on the professional and circumstances, they will sometimes ask for information from your close family and friends. They may also ask you to bring old school papers or reports to be examined. This can be a stressful process as it is difficult to recall all the details of your childhood or the adolescence. If you are part of a minority group or gender non-conforming, the process may be more challenging. In the UK for example the people of color, GNCs, and females aren't diagnosed with ADHD even though their symptoms are evident. This can make it more difficult to be diagnosed but it is also possible for GPs to refer you to a private specialist such as a Wellbeing Centre or Priory Hospital to conduct an assessment. It is also possible to obtain a shared care agreement with your GP for medication which can make the process easier, but not all GPs are willing to take this step. How do I get an assessment done? Your primary healthcare provider is your GP, and they are the best person to refer you for an assessment. Alternately, you can call a private specialist like Priory and schedule an appointment on your own. Priory's psychiatrists are experts with decades of experience diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD and are able to offer a full range of treatment options. If your GP decides to refer you, they'll ask you and a close family member or friend to fill out some questionnaires prior your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard. They must be completed 24 hours before the appointment. These are designed to identify the behaviors that could indicate ADHD. Your GP will arrange for the referral to an adult ADHD service. It is usually provided by the local community mental health service, in the event that you reside within the catchment area providing this service. They will undertake a comprehensive mental health and psychiatric examination as well as examining other conditions that can sometimes be similar to the symptoms of ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. You should also mention any mental health issues that you might have or have had in the past. These could affect your ability to get assessed for ADHD. It can also be helpful to bring any feedback or reports received from educational tutors, supervisors and work colleagues as well as the details of any assistance you're receiving at home (for example, through a GP service or a non-profit organisation like EmployAbility). The psychiatrist will discuss the results with you once they've completed their assessment. If they conclude that you have ADHD they will provide a plan of care that could include prescriptions for medication. The care plan will also outline any other assistance they believe you would benefit from, such as the recommendation to counseling or talk therapy. We understand that it may be difficult to receive the assistance you require in the event that your health or social care needs are complicated. We offer a confidential, free call with an assistant psychology to help you find out the support available. This could include the referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an assessment of eligibility for government-funded schemes such as Access to Work. What happens during the course of a test? A proper diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms, which can create problems in a variety of settings, from the workplace to your home. An extensive interview with an experienced professional and various psychometric tests are usually part of an assessment. This information will help determine what symptoms are affecting the individual and if they are a result of medical or other conditions. A thorough evaluation involves gathering detailed information on the person's previous experiences, including the time when symptoms first started to manifest and the length of time they lasted. The doctor will also want to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the individual's life in general, which includes work, school, and relationships. This will be determined by the definition of impairment that examines whether the person has been dismissed due to their difficulty with time management or put on academic probation due to poor grades. A trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is qualified to assess ADHD will conduct an interview. More Support can use a variety of methods and materials, but certain protocols are necessary for a complete assessment. This includes a thorough interview and standardized scores for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In certain cases specialists will conduct a series of tests designed to screen for ADHD and other disorders like learning disabilities or anxiety disorders. A consultation with your doctor or visiting a local mental health clinic can be helpful if you aren't sure where to start or have questions regarding the right health professional. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD can also be capable of providing information about qualified professionals in your area. Certain health insurance plans offer an inventory of professionals who are qualified classified by area of expertise to help you find the best professional for your evaluation.