How to Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis
Many patients seeking an assessment of ADHD are struggling under the burden of long NHS waiting lists. Some are desperate for answers and willing to pay private providers for their services.
A recent BBC Panorama investigation revealed that numerous private clinics were providing inaccurate assessments. This has sparked some controversy and raised concerns about the quality of care patients receive.
Diagnosis
In order to get diagnosed with ADHD to be diagnosed, you'll need to undergo a full examination by psychiatrist. While some individuals have their diagnosis made by psychologists or other mental health professionals, a Psychiatrist is the only person who can provide you with a formally recognised diagnosis for medication. This is important because a formal diagnosis is required to gain access to certain workplace protections, including flexible working, as well as to get access to NHS medications.
Hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention are the three primary symptoms of ADHD. While everyone exhibits some of these traits occasionally, those with ADHD tend to display these traits to a greater extent than others. Hyperactivity can manifest as fidgeting or being restless. It can also indicate issues with planning and organizing. Insane behavior may include making rash choices, purchasing items without thinking about the consequences or rushing into situations without adequate preparation. Inattentional ADD can be identified by a lack of focus or concentrating, procrastination, a lack of deadlines or an inability ability to plan ahead. Combined ADHD is the most common form of the condition and involves problems with both inattentive and impulsive/hyperactive symptoms.
While many adults feel apprehensive about getting an assessment, it is essential that you do so in order to receive the support and treatment you require. A diagnosis of ADHD can bring a sense of relief and clarity to your life. It can also help you to understand your symptoms and find strategies and tools to deal with them. After being diagnosed, a lot of our patients say that their lives have changed for the better.
The assessment process involves an open discussion of your symptoms and how they impact your life, the taking of the DIVA online exam and an extensive interview. Our psychiatrists have a wealth of experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults and are skilled to make you feel at ease.
Assessment
As an adult with ADHD you'll need to undergo an extensive assessment before you are diagnosed. The assessment must be conducted by a healthcare professional who is an ADHD specialist. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse (though a nurse is not qualified to prescribe medication). It doesn't matter where they are in the hierarchy of healthcare professionals, since it is their particular capabilities and expertise that distinguishes them as specialist.
A specialist will use structured interviewing techniques to collect as much information on your symptoms as is possible and how they impact you and your relationships and how long. They will also ask about your family's history of mental health and examine your medical history. The doctor will then go over all the information gathered from a variety of sources and determine a diagnosis according to the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the process of assessment you will be asked to complete tests designed to measure your symptoms and assess their impact on your daily activities. These can include questionnaires on your symptoms, memory and inkblots and sometimes tests such as puzzles or timed tasks. They also take into account any other comorbid conditions that you might be suffering from, as many of them can have similar symptoms to those that are associated with ADHD.
The assessment will also involve an interview with a person who knows you well, such as an individual from your family, partner or a friend. This is to confirm your ADHD symptoms, and to determine if they affect your work or relationships.
The expert will provide you with a thorough explanation of the outcome of the assessment, and the options available for treatment. This may include a shared-care arrangement with your GP (where you pay only the NHS prescription fee). The doctor will outline their holistic plan as well as any medication they believe to be appropriate.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD may have difficulty getting the diagnosis. The first step is to obtain an individual assessment with a specialist doctor who can confirm or deny the diagnosis. These are usually psychiatrists with years of experience in the field of neurodevelopmental conditions. The doctor can also tell you if you have other mental health issues that could cause your symptoms, or if the symptoms are due to medication you're taking.
Once the test is complete the doctor will review the results and suggest an appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the needs of each individual, you may be prescribed medication or undergo psychotherapy. Most people with ADHD take stimulant medication to ease their symptoms. These medications are believed to enhance brain's chemical signals, like dopamine and norepinephrine, which play an important role in the development of attention and movement. The majority of people notice that their symptoms get better when they take the medication regularly.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from a treatment program that focuses on improving their self-esteem and relationships. This can include practical strategies to lessen frustration and improve their ability manage time and tasks. Some people suffering from ADHD can also benefit from dietary modifications, which can help to improve their energy levels and concentration.
Certain adults might have a harder time getting an diagnosis for ADHD, especially when they are part of an ethnic minority. This is because certain medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what ADHD is like. The people in these groups are also more likely to be denied or misdiagnosed a treatment due to this.
Finding affordable treatments and evaluations can be challenging, especially in the event that you don't have insurance. Hospital-based clinics often offer specialized ADHD clinics that take into consideration financial concerns. These clinics are also more likely to take advantage of a variety of insurance plans, and have interns or residents in training who can offer treatment under the supervision of a mentor.
Support
People with ADHD struggle to understand the impact of their condition on their lives. They often don't notice that their difficulties in organising, planning and completing tasks private diagnosis of adhd cause difficulties at work or in relationships. People with high IQs might be more likely to overlook the impact of ADHD. They may develop strategies for coping that enable them to function at a level below their capacity, but these can cause problems such as depression and anxiety or addiction to alcohol or drugs.
This story emphasizes the importance of seeking expert diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. Many people are struggling to get NHS care because of logjammed waiting lists. Some pay for private healthcare, but there is no assurance that their doctor will sign a'shared care agreement' which will allow them to return to the NHS to receive follow-up treatment following an individual diagnosis of ADHD. This can lead to them having to continue to pay for private treatment and CBT or even more expensive specialist coaching services.
Always ensure whether any health professional you are considering working with has a positive track experience working with adults who suffer from ADHD. You can check this by looking up their website, or calling them to ensure that they have the experience you need. You can also check whether they have experience treating comorbid disorders (disorders that coexist with ADHD).
Selecting the right therapist or psychiatrist is essential, since they will be the one who prescribes your medication, if required. Choose a doctor that has completed specialized training for adults with ADHD. You can do this by contacting your local support group for adults with ADHD, or the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) organization to find an expert in your area.
When selecting a therapist or psychiatrist, it is important to consider your own personal preferences. For instance, some people prefer an therapist who is their gender or ethnicity. You may also prefer to work with a therapist who is LGBTQIA+ allied or has experience working with clients who are kink-allied.