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ADHD Diagnosis – How to Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis Private healthcare providers are making a profit from patients who feel let down by logjammed NHS waiting lists. But iampsychiatry.uk found that some clinics are distributing unreliable diagnoses through video calls. A questionnaire will be sent to the person and they can also have the partner or family member complete it. This will need to be returned prior to when an appointment can be scheduled. Symptoms If you are constantly losing your keys, find it difficult to finish work or are constantly interrupted by friends or family members It could be an indication of ADHD. This condition can affect as much as 8.4% children and 2.5% adults. It can have a profound impact on both your personal and professional lives. Many people are unaware that their symptoms result from ADHD and they don't seek treatment because they don't know what to do. They might try to manage their own symptoms but this can be difficult. There is no physical or medical test for ADHD. A qualified mental health professional will use various sources of sources to diagnose the condition, including symptoms lists and standardized behavior rating scales. They will also use information from people who know the person, such as their past and current functioning as well as information from people closest to them. Based on the severity and nature of the individual's problem further tests for learning disabilities, psychological, or neuropsychological tests could be carried out. It is essential that a medical professional rule out co-occurring conditions such as depression and anxiety in some people with ADHD. A healthcare professional will look for other medical disorders which may cause similar symptoms. For instance thyroid disorders or weight increase. They are not specialists and they cannot diagnose ADHD, but they may refer you to specialists like a Priory hospital or wellbeing centre for an assessment. If you visit a private clinic, the assessment will be conducted in a clinic and involves filling out questionnaires with your partner or parents, as well as others who know you well. These questionnaires are based on diagnostic criteria for ADHD as laid out in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5). A psychiatrist or psychologist who is experienced in diagnosing ADHD will conduct the assessment. They will carry out an extensive history, take detailed notes and discuss your behaviour in different situations with you. This includes at school, at work as well as at home. You will be asked for the rating of your ADHD symptoms and also to take tests, including an assessment of cognitive functioning. Diagnosis If you suspect that you or someone you know has ADHD, the first step is to visit your GP. They can refer you to a private physician such as psychiatrist or psychologist who is trained to diagnose adults suffering from ADHD. You can also contact specialists directly to schedule an assessment. You will be asked to fill out an application form prior to your appointment. You will be asked to provide details regarding your medical past, including any prior psychiatric treatments you may have received. It is important that you are honest with your clinician about your health issues, as they will require a complete history to make an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will examine your medical history of your family and your medical history, as well as your current symptoms. They will then utilize this information to determine if you suffer from ADHD and the severity of your symptoms. They will also consider whether other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, could be the cause of your symptoms. Based on the circumstances, you may require additional psycho-educational testing, such as learning disabilities or neuropsychological tests. This can help to identify other issues that can cause the symptoms of ADHD. For example, some people who suffer from ADHD may also be suffering from other disorders of learning or autism which may have similar symptoms as ADHD. It's recommended to ask your insurance company for recommendations on experts who are qualified to identify adults suffering from ADHD. You can also contact a local support group for adults with ADHD and ask for referrals. Many people who have been diagnosed with ADHD are happy to understand why they have struggled in their lives. It isn't easy to manage the feelings that accompany a diagnosis. It is essential to receive an accurate diagnosis from an experienced clinician, so that you can move forward in managing your ADHD and getting the most out of your life. Treatment The first step in getting a diagnosis is to find an healthcare professional who is experienced in dealing with adults suffering from ADHD. This could be a therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. You can also request your family physician to refer you for an ADHD assessment or a nurse practitioner. A private assessment of ADHD differs slightly from a typical psychiatric consultation because it includes a structured interview that will assess your symptoms and how they impact your everyday life. It is recommended that you are prepared to discuss your problems with attention and hyperactivity in the workplace, in relationships as well as in your hobbies and school. You will also need to keep a record of your symptoms and how they have impacted your life over time, along with any other mental health issues you've had. If the healthcare professional conducting your assessment thinks you might have ADHD they will evaluate you against the DSM V criteria for ADHD. They will take the list of symptoms that you've given and ask questions to determine if you have at least six traits (symptoms) that have been present throughout your life for at least 12 months. The healthcare professional will write an assessment report and discuss the findings of your test to you. If they conclude you do not meet the criteria for ADHD, they will explain the reasons why and suggest a different diagnosis that can better explain your issues. It is essential to discuss treatment options with your physician once you've been diagnosed. They can suggest therapy and medication that can aid in managing your symptoms. There are many therapies specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance commitment therapy. It can be a massive relief to get a diagnosis of ADHD particularly as an adult. You may find that it clarifies a lot about the reasons why you've had difficulties in the past, and that can be empowering and liberating. It is important to keep in mind that many adults suffer from self-stigma after being diagnosed. They might benefit from therapy, specifically narrative therapy, to discover how to tell their story differently and to change the way they judge themselves. Support With mental health issues increasingly destigmatised, services have popped up online that give individuals the chance to get an ADHD diagnosis through an online or phone questionnaire. These services can reduce the amount of time and expense involved in treatment by reducing the time needed to find a psychiatrist, wait for an assessment and then schedule the appointment. They also have the benefit of being faster and simpler than the NHS referral and assessment process, which can feel like an endless maze. However, they aren't without criticism. In the past few months, there has been a wave of documentaries and stories accusing private diagnostic clinics of knowingly overdiagnosing ADHD. The ADHD Scandal was the title of the BBC Panorama documentary. Private ADHD Clinics Exposed is the new title, however the original premise remains the same. People who seek private ADHD diagnoses are being exploited. Psychiatry can be a complex field and it is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have symptoms that aren't ADHD. It is crucial to find a psychiatrist who has an understanding of the adult ADHD and who is an expert in the diagnosis. A complete assessment involves collecting information from your friends, family members and school reports. It could also include a pre-assessment form. Your doctor will then use these results to determine if you have ADHD and formulate a holistic treatment plan, which could include psychotherapy or medication. You should also check with your GP to determine whether they're willing to sign a shared care agreement with you and with your psychologist before seeking a private ADHD diagnosis. This means that you'll only need to pay the NHS prescription cost for your medication. Some doctors will not take this approach, so it's best to confirm this before paying for an assessment. A supportive system in place can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD and improve your quality of life. Visit our ADHD treatment page for more details on how we can assist you. You can also request an initial, free, confidential phone consultation with our therapists to see whether we're the right choice for you.