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ADHD Diagnosis - The First Step to Finding Out If You Have ADHD

Adults frequently seek ADHD assessments because they feel that something isn't just right. They may have concerns about their relationships or work.

According to current NHS guidelines in England and Wales you have a legal right to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Your specialist will follow NICE guidelines and may request observer reports from others who know you, especially as you were a child.

What is ADHD assessment?

You or your child can determine whether they suffer from ADHD by getting an ADHD assessment. You will be questioned and diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. adhd diagnosis adults are the only healthcare professionals in the UK that are certified to diagnose ADHD. They can employ a variety of methods to evaluate your symptoms, including checklists and scales for assessing behavior, and interview people who know you well. They might also ask for an exam of your body and a medical history to rule out any other illnesses that could be similar to ADHD like anxiety or depression.

It is essential to be honest and candid in your evaluation. If you're not honest, the person evaluating you may conclude that you're not really serious about getting a diagnosis or that your symptoms aren't to be that severe. During the evaluation, you'll likely be asked to share information about your personal history with mental health and those of your family members, as well any difficulties at school or at work. You may be asked for an assessment questionnaire or a scale of behavior. You'll also need to be attentive to the test.

You must exhibit at least six signs of ADHD in two or more locations such as school and at home, and they must interfere with your daily life. The symptoms must have begun in the early years of childhood, prior to age 12, and they can't be explained by a disorder, such as anxiety or depression. You may be referred back to your GP for treatment, or you could decide to consult an independent psychiatrist who is specialized in ADHD.

You'll notice that waiting times are shorter if you choose to go private. On the NHS it's not uncommon to wait more than an entire year. adhd diagnosis uk can be extremely stressful for those who are struggling. Some of those on the waiting list for NHS committed suicide due to the stress and frustration of waiting. Private treatment lets you begin treatment quickly. Most private psychiatrists are adept at treating adults with ADHD. They are also able to screen for and treat co-morbidities like anxiety or depression.

What is the reason I need an assessment?

If you think you might have ADHD or are having problems in your life that are caused by it, you'll need a professional mental health assessment. The ideal scenario is that this assessment will be done by a psychiatrist that has experience working with neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD specifically. Psychotherapists and psychologists can also conduct this kind of assessment. If you're unsure of which therapist to choose then you can ask your physician to recommend a therapist you know. You can also use the internet to locate professionals in your area with an excellent reputation. Certain insurance plans also provide lists of professional who are qualified.


A structured interview and questions will form part of the process to determine a complete clinical diagnosis. The primary focus of the consultation will be your symptoms in a current work, family and social setting. The psychiatrist will inquire about your experiences with symptoms as a teenager and child and will then focus on the impact your symptoms have had in adulthood. They will also test for other mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.

Depending on the professional and conditions, they might ask for information from your close family members and friends. You may also be asked to bring old school reports or documents to be examined. This can be a difficult process since it can be difficult to remember all the details of your childhood or adolescence.

If you're part of the minority group or are gender non-conforming, the procedure can be more difficult. In the UK for instance, there is still discrimination against people of colour GNCs, females and others being diagnosed with ADHD, even if the symptoms are obvious. It isn't easy to obtain an accurate diagnosis. However, GPs may recommend you to a private specialist like a Priory Hospital or a Wellbeing Centre to conduct an assessment. You can also get an agreement for shared-care with your GP to facilitate the process. However, not all GPs will take this step.

How can I get an assessment done?

Your primary healthcare provider is your GP and they are the ideal person to refer you for an evaluation. You can also contact a private specialist such as Priory and make an appointment for yourself. Priory's expert psychiatrics have years of experience diagnosing ADHD for adults and offer a range of treatment options.

If your GP decides that you need to be referred, they will request you and a friend or family member (if you have one) to complete a few questionnaires prior to your appointment. These can be found on your portal dashboard and must be completed at a minimum of 24 hours prior to the appointment. They are designed to highlight behaviours that could suggest the presence of ADHD. Your doctor will then arrange for an onward referral to an adult ADHD service.

This is typically handled by the local community mental health team, in the event that you are within the catchment area providing this service. They will conduct a thorough mental health and psychiatric assessment as well as examining other conditions that could mimic the symptoms of ADHD like anxiety and depression.

You should also mention any mental health issues you may have or have had in the past. These could affect the ability of you to be evaluated for ADHD. You may also bring any feedback or reports from your teachers or supervisors as well as your colleagues. Also, you can give details of any assistance you receive at home, for example through your GP or a non-profit organization such as EmployAbility.

Once the psychiatrist has completed your evaluation, they'll discuss their findings with you. If they decide that you suffer from ADHD they will give you an action plan for treatment that could include medications recommendations. The care plan will detail any other assistance they believe would be beneficial for you, like the need to refer you to talk therapies or coaching.

We understand that it may be challenging to get the help you need if your social or health medical needs are complex. This is why we offer an anonymous, free phone consultation with an assistant psychologist to help discover what assistance may be available to you. This could include a referral to an ADHD support group in your local area or an eligibility check for government funded schemes such as Access to Work.

What happens during an assessment?

Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD is among the first steps to gain control over the symptoms that could create significant issues in a variety of situations, from home to work. An evaluation usually includes an in-depth interview conducted by a knowledgeable professional, as well as various forms of psychometric testing. The results can be used to determine the extent to which symptoms affect a person and if they are caused by medical issues or other conditions.

A comprehensive assessment involves collecting detailed information about the person's background, especially when symptoms first started and how long they've been present. The specialist will also need to know the effect of ADHD symptoms on the person's life in general, which includes school, work, and relationships. This will be based upon the definition of impairment, which will consider if the individual was fired due to their difficulties with time management or put on academic probation due to poor grades.

A trained psychiatrist or psychologist certified to evaluate ADHD will conduct an interview. Professionals may use different materials and procedures, but certain protocols are required for a comprehensive assessment. This includes a detailed interview and standardized ratings for ADHD and other psychometric tests. In some instances specialists will conduct a series of tests designed to detect ADHD and other conditions like anxiety disorders or learning disabilities.

If you're unsure of where to begin or have questions about finding the right health care professional, it's often helpful to speak with your physician or contact the local mental health clinic for recommendations. Many support groups for adults suffering from ADHD can also be capable of providing information about competent professionals in your area. Some health insurance plans provide a list of qualified professionals classified by area of expertise to help you locate the most suitable specialist for your evaluation.

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