ADHD Private Diagnosis
An adult suffering from ADHD might need to be referred by their doctor to a private healthcare professional to conduct an assessment. This can be done in person, or via video conference.
Panorama A BBC investigation, has revealed that some clinics give unreliable diagnosis. This can put vulnerable people at risk.
What is the outcome if I don't receive an answer to my question?
A diagnosis from a professional can grant you access to treatments and decrease feelings of confusion or self-doubt. A diagnosis can help family members understand the condition, and how it impacts a person's life. This can lead to better relationships and a better approach to managing ADHD.
In the UK The first step is to talk with your GP and discuss the reasons you believe you suffer from ADHD. Your GP should consider your concerns seriously and refer you to an evaluation with a specialist. You can speed up the process by asking your GP to sign up for a plan that lets you choose your own provider.
You will then go through an extensive psychiatric examination that includes a detailed clinical interview and psychological testing. Bring a family member along is always beneficial. After your assessment the specialist will present an accurate diagnosis of ADHD and offer recommendations for treatment. You should expect your appointment to last around two sessions.
A private diagnosis specialist for adhd can help you avoid the pitfalls of trying to obtain an appointment through the NHS. When delivering care to you healthcare professionals, they must follow evidence-based guidelines and National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines.
If your doctor does not find that you have ADHD They should be able to explain the reason. It could be that they don't think you meet the criteria for this disorder, or that they believe that another condition better explains your characteristics (symptoms). This is okay and shouldn't discourage you from seeking a second opinion.
Adults often struggle to be diagnosed with ADHD because their doctors or other medical professionals do not understand their symptoms. Some doctors may tell that their issues are caused by a lack of effort or that they're lazy or incompetent. This can be extremely disappointing, but it is important to remember that these stereotypes are not based on evidence from science.
What happens if I don't agree with the diagnosis?
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to get an diagnosis. adult adhd diagnosis uk have poor awareness of the condition and may not understand the nature of the condition or how to identify it. Others may dismiss the symptoms as normal or believe that the person is masking the symptoms. Some GPs are also confused about the difference between ADHD depression (everyone is down at times) and anxiety (which can exhibit similar symptoms).
Some medical staff unfamiliar with ADHD may misinterpret the person's behavior as a sign of untreated ADHD or think that they are suffering from depression or anxiety disorder due to it. Women who suffer from ADHD may be difficult to identify because their symptoms are typically less obvious and harder to detect. This can lead to inappropriate treatment of symptoms with antidepressants or other medications that are not effective in treating ADHD.
Some private assessment companies require a letter of recommendation from your GP to make an appointment. This process is not always straightforward as NHS GPs can bat ADHD referrals back to themselves (about 50% of ADHD assessments are referred to and then promptly batted back by GPs) with bogus reasons.
The GP who examines you will want to ask some questions about your personal life and how your ADHD symptoms affect it. Depending on the provider, this can include questions about your home, work and family. They will also discuss the different types of medication available to treat ADHD and determine which one would be most suitable for you. Most doctors will recommend stimulant medications but if they find it doesn't work for you, they may suggest a nonstimulant, such as Atomoxetine or Venlafaxine.
Once you receive a diagnosis your doctor will then send a letter to your GP that details the diagnosis as well as the recommended treatment. This is known as a "shared care agreement'. Certain doctors will sign these agreements however, not all will. If your GP does not agree with these agreements, you'll still need to pay privately for appointments and prescriptions.
What happens if I'm diagnosed but do not want to take medication or other treatment?
A lot of the symptoms of depression and anxiety are the same as those for ADHD, so an expert in mental health can assist in developing an appropriate treatment plan that meets the specific needs of each person. Early treatment is vital and could consist of therapy, medication or lifestyle adjustments. Children suffering from ADHD can also be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. This is a pattern of aggressive behavior towards other people or serious violations of social norms and regulations at home, school or with peers.
What happens if you decide to drive?
Since the DVLA thinks of ADHD as a impairment, having the condition can make it more difficult to get your driver's licence. This only applies when your symptoms have a an ongoing and significant impact on your life. This is something you would need to discuss with your physician.
ADHD can also affect your driving in particular if you display inattention and unstable driving habits. In the end you may find that you have difficulty with organising your car or remembering to take your medication prior to driving. If you're worried about this, you may opt to drive with a passenger or only drive when you know you'll be the only driver in the car.
As you can see, the Panorama program gave a highly biased negative opinion of private healthcare for ADHD assessments. Many adults have reported to us that they received an diagnosis at a private clinic without any drug adjustment. They had to return to their GP to wait in the line to undergo an NHS assessment. This doesn't just discredit the NHS, it creates a stigma around the condition, which many believe they are judged for even by their own family.