ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
In the UK, it is your legal right to select who will conduct your NHS mental health assessments. But not all healthcare professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD.
Panorama has heard from whistleblowers and patients who claim that private clinics diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication without proper checks. 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 to determine whether medication might help. You will be asked to provide details about your symptoms and the issues they cause. You will be asked questions about your work and family life. Some patients find it beneficial to write down symptoms prior to their appointment. This is to help them remember their symptoms. A psychiatrist will typically spend 45 to 90 minutes with you during an assessment.
You can get an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS or privately. The GP must take ADHD concerns seriously and suggest you undergo an assessment. However this system isn't without its issues. The BBC's Panorama program raised concerns over doctors prescribing powerful drugs for prolonged periods of time and not considering the medical background of patients.
If you're concerned about the attitude of your GP toward ADHD Consider finding a different GP. There is a good resource on the Psychiatry UK website that provides tips on how to do this and templates for letters that you can use to present your request.
Private psychiatric services are quicker and more professional, especially in London. The costs typically range from PS600 to PS1,200. Private psychiatrists have experience of conducting assessments of adults with diverse backgrounds and can provide an individual approach, particularly in cases where you might be highly skilled or successful in your job. They can also test for and provide assistance with any co-morbidities often associated with ADHD such as anxiety and depression.
The Psychiatrist assesses your symptoms based on the DSM V criteria and determines if you meet the criteria of an ADHD diagnosis. You will have to show six characteristics (symptoms), which are present in your daily life, and how they have affected your previous experiences.
The Psychiatrist will then advise you of your options and the next steps. You can decide to start treatment with stimulants such as methylphenidate. Stimulants are covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act and are therefore controlled. They are only prescribed by a psychiatrist or a doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
What is a diagnostic?
A diagnosis is a medical term used to describe a disease, injury or condition. A doctor will issue diagnosis and often follow it with a treatment plan. Diagnosis is a major part of the medical school curriculum and is an integral part of the education of doctors working in all fields of medicine. The term is frequently used in medical journals as well as in articles about health care.
There are many ways to obtain an ADHD diagnosis in UK. You can ask your GP to refer you to a clinic or adult ADHD specialist. uk private adhd assessment can also make an assessment. Private psychiatrists are more knowledgeable in diagnosing ADHD in adults and provide a faster, more professional and more thorough process. They also tend to have a better understanding of the other conditions that may confuse symptoms with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.
Once you have been diagnosed and have a treatment plan, you can discuss options with your psychiatrist. This can include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other non-medicated treatments such as mindfulness or relaxation techniques. You can then decide whether you'd like to choose the treatment option that best suits your requirements.
In addition to enabling you to seek treatment for your ADHD A diagnosis can also help you access reasonable adjustments and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). In the case of DSA this is particularly important because it assists with daily activities that people who suffer from disabilities or illnesses require to do.
If you are thinking about taking stimulants like methylphenidate for your ADHD be aware that these are class B drugs, which could cause addiction. If you are worried about this, your doctor may refer you to an GP who can prescribe a different kind of treatment that does not contain stimulants.
It can be difficult and challenging to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. There are a variety of aspects to take into consideration and the NHS is often overwhelmed and under-resourced, so it's easy for GPs, and other health professionals, to dismiss or deflect any potential diagnosis. It is helpful to bring your symptoms for the examination and try to be as objective as you can when describing them.
How can I obtain an medical diagnosis?
If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD, the first step in gaining control over symptoms that can cause disruption to your life is to get a diagnosis. It's not an easy process, but it's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign laziness or a lack of intelligence. It is a neurobiological disorder. It is also essential to realise that the right treatment can help you control your ADHD symptoms and improve your quality of life.
To diagnose you, a professional will usually evaluate you by an extensive history and discussion about your current symptoms, as well as analysing the results of questionnaires and scales created to detect ADHD in adults. They then apply the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) to make an accurate diagnose.
In addition to conducting an interview with you and those close to you, the evaluator might decide to conduct cognitive testing or medical exams to determine the root causes for your symptoms. This can include things like seizures and thyroid disorders, which can often have similar symptoms as ADHD.
During the evaluation it is essential to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your life at home, school or at work. This will allow the examiner to determine if you suffer from ADHD or a condition which is contributing your symptoms.
After the assessment is completed the doctor will discuss the options for medication with you if you are considering these. GPs cannot prescribe ADHD medication, but they can offer other kinds of mental health treatments such as CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy). If you choose to obtain a prescription from your physician who will create a form called a Shared care Agreement for your GP which outlines the treatment you will receive on the NHS.
Before you go for an individual diagnosis It is recommended to ask your family and friends for recommendations of experts who have expertise in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also read reviews online about providers in your locality and find out more about their methods. BetterHelp also offers a simple service to match within 48 hours to a therapist who is experienced.
Do I have the ability to get a diagnosis through Right to Choose?
You have the right to choose your mental health provider for an ADHD assessment if you're an active military service. You'll need to ensure that your GP will accept full care or a'shared care agreement' once the chosen provider has discharged you and prescribes treatment (usually medication or CBT therapy). Calling the providers directly will enable you to find out if they are covered by agreements with NHS. You can check the waiting times of providers by visiting this website.
If your GP recommends you to an ADHD specialist through the Right to Choose pathway, they will ask you questions about your symptoms and when they first started. This is to aid your doctor in understanding the extent of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Answer these questions with honesty and clarity.
You can find out more about how you can exercise your Right to Choose on the NHS website here. It's worth noting that the NHS currently does not offer the titration of medications through the Right to Choose pathway. Therefore, even if you are diagnosed via this method, you might not be eligible for the medication you require.
There are a variety of alternative routes to an ADHD diagnosis that include private clinics. The BBC's Panorama program recently exposed private clinics that offer rapid, inexpensive diagnoses for people with ADHD. These shortcuts could be dangerous if you're trying to claim benefits such as Disabled Students Allowance or reasonable adjustments at work, for instance.
It's worth noting that the stimulants prescribed for ADHD are classified as Class B drugs which means they are subject to limitations under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If you're found guilty of committing an offense of a criminal nature while taking these medicines you could face a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.
In addition to the above If you're diagnosed with ADHD through the NHS or privately, you will be eligible for disability benefits in the form of Attendance Allowance and/or Income Support dependent on the severity of your condition. You'll also have to submit a letter from the provider proving this, along with a copy of your record.