ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK you have the legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health tests. Not all healthcare professionals have the necessary qualifications to recognize ADHD.
Panorama has heard from whistleblowers and patients who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe drugs without proper tests. We went undercover to learn more.
What is an assessment?
An assessment is a meeting with a psychiatrist to discuss how ADHD affects your life and determine whether medication could help. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms and the issues they cause. You will be asked questions about your family and work life. Some patients find it helpful to note down their symptoms prior to the appointment. This is to help them remember them. A typical assessment includes a 45-90 minute discussion with the psychiatrist.
There are two primary methods to obtain an adult ADHD assessment: the NHS or private. Doctors must take ADHD concerns seriously and suggest you undergo an assessment. However this system isn't without flaws. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns about doctors prescribing powerful drugs for long periods of time and not taking into account the medical background of patients.
If you are worried about the attitude of your doctor to ADHD, try another GP. There's a helpful site on Psychiatry-UK that provides tips on how to do this, as well as templates for letters you can use to make your request.
Private psychiatric care is much faster and more professional, especially in London. The cost ranges between PS600 to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists have experience assessing adults of diverse backgrounds, and can offer an individual treatment plan, particularly if you're highly skilled or have a lucrative career. They can also assess for and assist with any co-morbidities that are often associated with ADHD, like depression and anxiety.
The Psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms and apply the DSM V criteria to determine whether you meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. You will have to show at least six characteristics (symptoms) that are present in your life today and how they have impacted on your previous experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then advise you on your options and the next steps. You can decide to begin treatment that involves stimulants like methylphenidate. Stimulants fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act and are therefore controlled. They are only prescribed by a psychiatrist or doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnostic?
A diagnosis is a term used in medicine that refers to the recognition of a condition, illness or injury. A diagnosis is provided by a physician and is often supported by a treatment program. The process of diagnosis is an integral component of the curriculum for medical students and is a crucial part of the training of doctors who work in all fields of medicine. The term is frequently utilized in medical journals and in articles on health care.
There are a number of ways to receive an ADHD diagnosis in the UK. You can request your GP to refer you to a clinic or an adult ADHD specialist. Another way is to get a private psychiatrist to perform a diagnosis. Private psychiatrists are more knowledgeable in diagnosing ADHD in adults and are able to offer a quicker more efficient, professional and more empathetic process. They are also aware of other conditions which may cause similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
You can discuss your treatment options with a psychiatrist once you've been diagnosed. This could include medication or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as other non-medication therapies such relaxation or mindfulness techniques. You then have the option of deciding if you'd like to choose the treatment that is most suitable for your requirements.
In addition to allowing you to get treatment for your ADHD The diagnosis can assist you in obtaining reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This is particularly important in the case of DSA as it assists people with disabilities and illnesses with their daily activities.
If you're considering stimulants such as methylphenidate for treating your ADHD, know that these are class B drugs and can cause addiction. If you are worried about this, your doctor can refer you to a GP who may prescribe a different form of treatment that does not contain stimulants.
Receiving private adhd assessment london is a challenging and frustrating process. There are many factors to consider as well as the NHS system is often over stressed and under-funded which means it can be extremely easy for doctors or other health professionals to ignore or downplay a potential diagnosis. It is helpful to take your list of symptoms with you for the examination and try to be as objective as possible when you describe them.
How do I get a medical diagnosis?
You or your child may have ADHD. The first step to controlling symptoms that could disrupt your life is to seek an diagnosis. It can be a difficult procedure, but it's essential to remember that ADHD isn't a sign of lazyness or lack of intelligence. It is an underlying neurobiological disorder. It is crucial to realize that the right treatment will assist you in managing your ADHD and improve your overall quality of life.
A professional will diagnose you by combining a detailed history, a review of your current symptoms, and then analyzing the results of scales and questionnaires designed to identify ADHD in adults. They will then apply the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) to determine a reliable diagnose.
In addition to interviewing you and those close to you, the person evaluating you may be required to conduct medical tests or cognitive tests to rule out any underlying causes for your symptoms. This could include things like thyroid disorders and seizure conditions which may exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD.
During the assessment it is essential to be open about your issues, and how they affect your life at home, work or school. This will enable the evaluator to determine whether you suffer from ADHD or a coexisting condition which is contributing your symptoms.
Once the evaluation is completed, your clinician will discuss the options for medication with you if you are considering them. The GP is not able to prescribe ADHD medication. However, they are able to provide other mental health treatments such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). If you decide to seek a prescription from your physician, he or she will create a form called a Shared care agreement for your GP that outlines the treatment you will receive on the NHS.
Before you go for a diagnosis that is private, it is a good idea to ask your friends and family for recommendations of professionals who have expertise in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also search the internet for reviews of providers in your area, and read about the various approaches they use. If you prefer, you can use BetterHelp's simple-to-use service to be matched with an experienced therapist within 48 hours.
Do I have the ability to get a diagnostic through Right to Choose?
You are entitled to choose your mental health provider to conduct an ADHD evaluation if you are an active member of the military service. You'll need to make sure that your GP will accept either full treatment or something called a 'shared care agreement' after your chosen provider discharges you and prescribes treatment (usually CBT therapy or medication). Contacting the provider directly will enable you to find out if they are covered by contracts with NHS. You can check the waiting times of providers by visiting this website.
If your GP refers you to an ADHD specialist through the Right to Choose pathway, they will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and when they first started. This will aid your doctor in understanding the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It is important to answer these questions honestly and clearly.
Find out more about exercising your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. It's worth noting that the NHS currently doesn't offer an titration service for medicines through the Right to Choose pathway. So, even if you're diagnosed using this method, you might not be able to access the medication you need.
Private clinics are among the other options to receive an ADHD diagnosis. BBC's Panorama recently exposed private clinics that provide affordable and quick diagnoses of ADHD. These methods can have serious consequences if trying to claim benefits such as Disabled Students Allowance or reasonable adjustments at work, as an example.
It's important to note that stimulants that are prescribed for ADHD fall under Class B drugs, and are subject to restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're found guilty of a criminal offence when you're taking these medications you could be subject to a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD whether through the NHS or privately, you could be eligible for benefits for disabled people like Income Support, Attendance Allowance, or both, depending on the severity. You'll need to provide the letter from your healthcare provider which proves this, as well as an original copy of your medical records.