adhddiagnosis may refer an adult suffering from ADHD to a private healthcare professional to receive an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call.
The BBC's Panorama investigation has exposed clinics that offer unreliable diagnoses. This puts patients at risk.
What happens if I do not receive a diagnosis?
A diagnosis from a professional can grant you access to treatments and reduce feelings of confusion or self-doubt. Having a diagnosis also helps family members comprehend the condition and how it affects the person's daily routine. This could lead to better communication and a better management of ADHD.
In the UK the first step is to consult with your GP and discuss the reasons you believe you suffer from ADHD. Your GP should be concerned about your concerns and send you to an expert for an assessment. This process will be more efficient if you ask your GP to use a scheme that lets you choose your preferred provider.
Then, you will undergo an extensive psychiatric examination that includes a detailed clinical interview and psychological testing. It is always helpful to bring a family member with you to offer support. After your evaluation, the specialist will provide a clear diagnosis of ADHD and provide suggestions for treatment. The appointment is expected to last between two and three hours.
Finding a diagnosis from a private diagnosis specialist can help you avoid the pitfalls that can arise when you attempt to obtain a diagnosis through the NHS. When providing care to you the healthcare professionals must follow evidence-based guidelines and National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines.
If your doctor doesn't diagnose you with ADHD then he or she should explain the reason. It may be that they don't believe you meet their criteria for the disorder, or they think another condition better explains your behavior (symptoms). This is fine and shouldn't deter you from seeking a second opinion.
One of the primary reasons that adults struggle to receive a diagnosis of ADHD is that they are often misunderstood by their GP or other medical professionals. Certain doctors might tell them that their troubles result from an inability to work or that they're lazy or negligent. It can be difficult, but remember that these stereotypes aren't supported by evidence from science.
What happens if I don't agree?
Many people with ADHD struggle to receive an accurate diagnosis. Some GPs have poor awareness of the condition and may not be aware of the nature of the condition or how to diagnose it. Others might dismiss the symptoms as normal behaviour or believe that the person is hiding these symptoms. Certain GPs might be confused by the differences between ADHD and other mental health disorders such as depression (everyone feels down sometimes) or anxiety (which can present with the same symptoms).
In some cases medical professionals who are unfamiliar with ADHD may confuse the patient's behavior with that of their unmanaged ADHD or may believe that the patient is suffering from anxiety or depression due to their unmanaged ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD may be difficult to diagnose because their symptoms tend to be more subtle and difficult to detect. This confusion could lead to a mistreatment of the symptoms using antidepressants or other medicines which are not effective in treating ADHD.
Some private assessment providers will require a letter from your GP before they can take the appointment. This isn't always straightforward as NHS GPs are able to bat ADHD referrals back to themselves (about 50% of ADHD assessments are referred to and later rebuffed by GPs) on spurious grounds.
The GP who evaluates you will inquire about your personal life and how your ADHD symptoms impact on it. Depending on the doctor the questions could be about your home, work and family. They will also go over the various types and strengths of medication that are available to treat ADHD and determine which one would be best for you. Most clinicians will recommend stimulant medication, but if it doesn't work for you, they might suggest a nonstimulant, such as Atomoxetine or Venlafaxine.
Once you receive a diagnosis the doctor will send paperwork to your GP that details the diagnosis as well as the recommended treatment. This is referred to as a'shared-care agreement'. Some GPs accept these agreements but not all. If your GP does not accept these agreements, you'll still need to pay privately for appointments and prescriptions.
What is the next step if I am diagnosed but don't want to undergo medication or another treatment?
A mental health professional can assist create a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual's needs. Early treatment is crucial and could include therapy or medicine. It could also involve lifestyle adjustments. Children with ADHD may also be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. This is a pattern or aggression towards others or serious infringements of social norms and rules at home, school, or among peers.
What happens if I want to drive?
Since the DVLA is adamant about ADHD as a disability, having the condition can make it more difficult to get your driver's license. This only applies in the event that your symptoms are having a a long-term and significant impact on your daily routine. It is recommended to discuss this with your physician.
ADHD can also affect your driving, especially if you exhibit inattention and unstable driving habits. As a result you may find that you are having trouble organizing your car or remembering to take your medication before getting behind the wheel. If you're worried about this, choose to travel with someone else or only drive when there is no other person in the car.
As you can see it, the Panorama program gave a highly negative and distorted opinion of private healthcare for ADHD assessments. We hear from a lot of adults who receive a diagnosis without a drug titration test, but then must return to their GP and wait in the end of the line to undergo an NHS assessment because they were'sneaked' in to a private clinic. This is not only a discrediting of the NHS but also adds to the stigma surrounding the condition, which makes many sufferers feel belittled by family members.