ADHD Assessment - Why it's Important to Find a Private Clinic
Doctors can refer patients to private ADHD assessment services if they think they may be suffering from the condition. However, this process can be long and frustrating. It is crucial to locate a psychiatrist with expertise in treating ADHD.
NHS guidelines in England, Wales and Northern Ireland offer a right to diagnosis and treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. However, some patients don't receive the help they need.
We accept referrals from GPs
ADHD can be a difficult condition to manage. Being diagnosed will help you to manage the symptoms. Many adults with ADHD have difficulty getting an assessment or treatment from the NHS. Insufficient services and long wait times are causing many to seek private assessments and to pay for their medication privately. Some patients are taking out loans to pay for the costs of their assessments and treatment. This is a huge waste of money and can create a lot of anxiety for patients.
The best way of diagnosing ADHD is to consult with a psychiatrist who has extensive experience in the field. This process will take into account your family history, your current symptoms and your personal experience with the disorder. It will also include tests that are designed to gauge your ADHD symptoms, which includes standardised tests for children, as well as modified for adults like the ADOS or Conners adult ADHD rating scales. It will also include a semi-structured meeting with the psychologist and diaries and questionnaires. In some cases psychiatrists may ask to see old school reports.
Before scheduling an appointment, it is important to confirm that the doctor has experience in ADHD. Some psychiatrists have only experience treating children, and may not be able of assessing adults with the condition. It's also a good idea to know what kind of medication the psychiatrist prescribes and if they have any special areas of interest.
If you decide to book a private ADHD assessment you can expect to meet with a consultant psychiatrist and take a variety of psychological tests. These tests are similar to the ones that are used in the NHS however they can be customized to fit adults suffering from ADHD. They will be looking for the specific traits (symptoms) of ADHD like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is helpful to prepare for the test by studying the various characteristics, so you can think of examples of how they affect you in your everyday life.
You have the right to choose the mental health provider in England based on the location you live in. This includes choosing one that has shorter waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to make an appointment at your local NHS trust, you can download the ADHD UK Support Letter and presenting it to a GP.
We are located in Belfast
Our expert doctors will take the time to understand your symptoms and the impact they have on your day-to-day life. We will then discuss treatment options. This could include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. We can also provide advice on a plan of action, regardless of whether you decide to seek private or return to NHS treatment. You will be treated by a clinical psychologist who is fully trained and has advanced training in ADHD, as well as other mental health conditions. They are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.
A BBC investigation revealed that patients are given powerful drugs and are told to have ADHD after unreliable online assessments. Three private clinics identified the undercover reporter through a video call, but an in-depth NHS examination showed that he didn't have ADHD. The private clinics, including Harley Psychiatrists and ADHD Direct claim they conduct thorough assessments and follow national guidelines. Panorama received an email from one the clinics asking a patient to delete negative online reviews.
The Northern Trust said it has seen an increase in referrals from adults who believe they suffer from ADHD. The time to receive diagnosis could take years. A trust assembly's answer stated that it could take "several years" for the patient to receive their first evaluation. Many patients are going to private clinics in the interim to get a diagnosis.
An ADHD diagnosis can have a huge impact on a person's life. It can cause problems at work, school or at home, and may cause anxiety and depression. It can also make it difficult to maintain relationships. It can also be difficult for people suffering from ADHD, to find a job or to find housing.
Many adults with ADHD do not know that they suffer from it, and many are being referred to psychiatrists as their children have been diagnosed with it. Parents are required to be aware of the symptoms and seek advice from a medical professional. Certain adults with ADHD are eligible for Disabled Students Allowance, but they must have a medical diagnosis from a GP before they can apply for this.
We provide a range of treatments
Adult ADHD has become an increasingly common condition and many adults live with it but are not diagnosed. This can have a negative impact on their relationships, careers and jobs. It can also lead to health issues, such as depression and anxiety. The need to be diagnosed is essential for those suffering from ADHD to receive the treatment they require. There are a variety of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include medication and psychological therapy.
However, the provision of ADHD services is inadequate and this was highlighted by an upcoming BBC Panorama investigation. The BBC Panorama investigation discovered that a journalist had been incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD and that NHS assessments are not always thorough. The journalist did not have the benefit of receiving support for his ADHD symptoms. This could have affected his career and studies.
The NHS is struggling to cope with the demand for ADHD services however the quality of the assessment and treatment is not the same across different regions. In certain areas, adults are waiting years to be assessed for ADHD. The NHS has recently introduced a new 'Right to Choose path in England which gives patients the option of choosing their mental health provider and to be seen by a psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD. This is a faster way to get an ADHD diagnosis and could help to reduce time and frustration.
In Northern Ireland, a number of health boards and NHS trusts have stated that they struggle to provide ADHD services to adults. A Freedom of Information request by ADHD UK to the NI trusts in social and health care found that adults were waiting for more than four years to see an expert. This is significantly higher than the standard of just under two years in Wales, three-and-a-half years in England and more than a year in Scotland.
If you're referred by a private clinic to conduct an ADHD assessment they will be able to inform you if you meet the criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD or if a different condition better explains your difficulties. They might also suggest solutions. If they do not diagnose ADHD they will explain the reasons behind their decision. They should also give you an official copy of the report, which can be delivered to your GP.
We are committed to providing exceptional service.
ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, but there are clear ways to diagnose it. private adhd assessment adults should include discussion of the symptoms of the patient, a comprehensive review of the patient's mental health history and consideration of information supplied by people who are familiar with them. It is difficult to prescribe medication without a thorough assessment. This is the reason it's essential to find a private clinic that provides an excellent service.
A charity said that many adults who believe they have undiagnosed ADHD have to pay for private tests due to a shortage of NHS resources. The Northern Trust told BBC News NI that the demand for assessments has risen to the point that it is unable to accept new referrals for adult ADHD tests. The trust has said it will launch a local service in April to engage with those who were previously assessed.
The service will include an extensive assessment of the patient's previous and current problems, as well as an interview with both them and their families. The service will also ask questions about the patient's behaviour and activities. The psychiatrist will utilize the DIVA semistructured interview, and school reports to determine if the symptoms are in line with an ADHD diagnosis.
The service will then issue an unwritten report, which will be sent to the GP. The report can be used to aid an application for Disability Living Allowance or to prove ADHD to students in order to be eligible for Disabled Students Allowance. The report will also include suggestions for treatment options. The patient will then be able discuss these options with their GP and choose a treatment plan. The GP can then arrange for the medication to be prescribed by a specialist.