What is a Private ADHD Assessment?
A private ADHD assessment is an appointment with a specialist who has experience in the field. They will review your psychiatric history, as well in examining different aspects of your life and how they might be affected by ADHD symptoms.
Only UK licensed psychiatrists and ADHD nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. However, you can get an assessment from another 'appropriately qualified healthcare professional' [Nice Guidelines]. Psychologists are among them.
What can we expect?
In an individual ADHD assessment the psychiatrist consultant will talk to you (or your child, if it's an ADHD assessment for children) about your symptoms and behavior over time. They may also request you to fill out questionnaires and assess your behavior on various scales. They will inquire about your the history of your family and lifestyle and environment.
The appointment lasts for 90 minutes and can be conducted in person or via video conference. Bring any relevant documents, including the records of your school or work performance as well as any medication information. Wear comfortable clothes and minimal jewelry during the examination as it could require physical tests.
You'll be asked about your health and family history as well as about any problems you've had at school or at work. The psychiatrist in consultation with you will examine your medical records and any other information they have regarding your child's or your own behavior. They'll then review the results of any questionnaires or ratings scales you've completed, as well as their own observations.
Based on the results of your evaluation, you'll be given the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD and offered treatment options. In some instances, this could be medication, and in other cases, CBT therapy. They will discuss your requirements and then agree on the treatment plan. After they have reached an agreement on a plan, they will refer you to your GP under a shared-care arrangement.
It is important to recognize that a medical diagnosis can make you feel more confident about your abilities and improve your relationships with family and friends. It can also help reduce feelings of guilt and shame since it allows you to realise that your symptoms are due to an illness in the brain, not being a sign of weakness or failure.
It's important to remember that ADHD is a real illness that affects millions of people around the world. While ADHD can be a problem in certain areas of life, a lot of people who suffer from ADHD accomplish great things. They include famous musicians like Justin Timberlake and Solange Knowles and actors like Will.i.am and Oscar Winner Michael Phelps, businesspeople like Paris Hilton and Walt Disney and scientists such as Nobel physicist Albert Einstein.
Getting an answer to a question
A diagnosis is the first step to getting help for ADHD. You'll be able stop blaming your own problems and realize that your ADHD is the cause of your problems. It will also mean that you can discover a way to manage your symptoms and gain control over aspects of your life that have been challenging for an extended period of time.
During the examination, you will be asked questions about your symptoms both as a child, and also as an adult. You might be provided with questionnaires ahead of time to fill out. This will help you think about your difficulties and give the psychiatrist a wealth of information that will help them diagnose your ADHD symptoms accurately.
You should be honest and not shy back from answering questions out of fear of shame or criticism. This is because a psychiatrist has to understand the full extent of your issues in order to properly assess you for ADHD. It is also important to ensure that you don't get diagnosed with something else. The symptoms of anxiety, depression and other disorders may resemble ADHD and could have serious consequences for your health.
The professionals who perform the diagnosis will usually be GMC registered psychiatrists. They will have years of experience in assessing adults with ADHD and will be able to detect other disorders that might be causing problems. This is known as differential diagnosis and is a typical part of the process.
If the psychiatrist feels that you do not meet the requirements for ADHD, they will explain the reason. You might not have provided enough information about your difficulties or a different disorder may be a better explanation for your symptoms than ADHD. It is not necessary to accept the diagnosis if it's not what you're looking for. You can seek a second opinion from an alternative expert if you are not satisfied with.
Treatment options
In many cases, once a person has been assessed they will be provided with an aid to manage their symptoms. Often, a combination is made of medications and expert coaching. This can improve their overall health and allow them to achieve their maximum potential. This is an excellent alternative to long NHS waiting times.
It is important to realize that ADHD is a long-term disorder and should not be treated as it is. If untreated, people with ADHD can experience difficulties at work as well as in their relationships, and even in their private life. Poor organisation, difficulty staying on task and focused, and being easily distractible can create problems for those with ADHD in all aspects of their lives.
Adults with ADHD often have a history mental health issues. These can include depression and bipolar disorder. These conditions can cause ADHD more difficult to manage. The symptoms can become worse if a setback occurs, e.g. losing a job or experiencing relationship issues.
The psychiatrist will assess the person's symptoms of ADHD over their lifetime. This could involve using questionnaires and rating systems. They might also want to talk about how the symptoms have impacted their family and friends.
The evaluation typically takes between 45 and 90 minute. The psychiatrist will talk about the symptoms being experienced and will look over a list of possible causes. The psychiatrist will then determine 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 examinations, the psychiatrist will decide on the treatment options available to them.
It is crucial to understand that private healthcare professionals share the same responsibilities as those working in the NHS. This means that the services they offer must still adhere to the guidelines laid out by NICE. Patients should consult their GPs to inquire if they need an appointment letter for an assessment. Alternately, they can call a private specialist such as Priory to schedule the assessment for themselves.
Aftercare
A private ADHD assessment offers clear advice and expert guidance so you can select the best treatment options that fit your needs, lifestyle and preferences. The psychiatrist might have to visit you for a number of sessions to discuss your treatment options. This can take anywhere from two to three hours.
You can access an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS, but you must have an appointment letter from your GP. Private providers may not require this however it's worth checking before booking.
private adhd assessment london of the private examination is to fill out a mental health form that will ask you about your symptoms, previous treatments, family history and any other mental health issues you may have. The private assessment process could also include a test of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). This is a talking therapy that helps you to change your negative beliefs and behaviours. It is particularly effective for adults who have ADHD.
After this is done, a Consultant Psychiatrist will review the results of the questionnaire and school reports, as well as any other evidence you have provided, and conduct an interview with you. It is important that you are honest and accurate as this will influence the results of your private evaluation.
If the psychiatrist decides that you don't have ADHD they will provide the reasons and inform you whether or not you can get a shared care agreement with your GP for medication (so you only pay for the NHS prescription cost) or if they can recommend you for a second psychiatric opinion elsewhere. It's not uncommon to discover another disorder that may be causing your symptoms, like autism or PTSD, that looks like ADHD so it's essential that you undergo a complete mental health screening.
It is also important that the healthcare provider you choose to visit for an assessment is in line with clinical guidelines as set out by NICE. This is especially crucial when it comes to assessing adults suffering from ADHD. It can be difficult to diagnose and manage them effectively. If you are looking to receive the best treatment, be sure that the healthcare professional you are seeing has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD and is a registered GMC psychiatrist or ADHD specialist nurse.