ADHD Assessments - Can You Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis? BBC Panorama reported today that adults suffering from ADHD are diagnosed by private clinics using unreliable video consultations. This is a shame particularly since NICE guidelines require rigor from certified, licensed healthcare professionals. If your GP recommends you for a NHS assessment in England, you are legally entitled to a Right to Choose (RTC) to select the provider who assesses you. Find out more information about this here. What is an ADHD assessment? You may be able to identify ADHD If you or your child is experiencing problems at school, home or at work. A healthcare professional needs to conduct a detailed evaluation to determine if your child has ADHD. This could include a psychologist or psychiatrist and often the child's doctor. Some healthcare providers offer online tests that check for ADHD symptoms, but they can be misleading and do not provide an accurate diagnosis. Before an assessment the doctor will speak to you and other people in your child's lives such as teachers and day care workers. They will ask about your child's behavior and how often it occurs. The doctor may also ask about any other medical conditions which could cause similar symptoms. These include thyroid disorders and sleep apnea. The doctor will likely perform several tests designed specifically to detect ADHD. This includes the continuous performance test as well as a behavioral assessment of ADHD. These tests determine the time it takes the subject to activate their "micro switch" when a visual or audio cue is presented and what percentage of their responses are "Omission Errors", which reflect lack of attention. The number of errors omitted is correlated with the severity of ADHD. Psychologists and psychiatrists also inquire about the family of the client and personal history. Certain will employ checklists to identify ADHD symptoms for both children and adults. In most instances, the physician will use their clinical experience to determine which tests can be helpful. The most important thing to remember when conducting an ADHD assessment is that there aren't simple and quick answers. It is a complicated condition and even the most experienced doctors have trouble identifying it in their patients. It is important to seek a comprehensive, thorough assessment from a mental health professional with expertise. You can ask for recommendations by contacting the local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD. You can also request a referral from your GP or use the NHS Right to Choose scheme. What is an assessment by a psychiatrist? A psychiatrist assessment is a set of questions, examinations and tests that a trained psychiatrist will undertake. It's designed to help them determine what kind of mental health condition you might be suffering from and how it can be treated. The psychiatrist will start by assessing your symptoms and checking whether there is any other physical cause. You will be asked a series of questions about your mood and what you've been doing lately. They may also inquire about any mental illness within your family. They will also review your current medication to determine how they work for you. They might also take into consideration your lifestyle and other factors that may affect how you feel. A psychiatric examination typically lasts for 60 to 90 minutes. The doctor will be paying close attention to your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They will also consider other issues, such as work and home life. They will also look at how much sleep you are getting and whether you can focus on your studies or work. They will also look at your general health, any medication or alcohol you're taking and whether you have had any significant recent events that have affected your mental wellbeing. Then, they will test your ability to focus, remember and use mental reasoning. They will also look at your body language, how you talk, and how irritable or aggressive you can be. They will also pay close attention to your hearing and eyesight. In hospitals the psychiatric assessment is usually a multidisciplinary effort that involves a variety of healthcare professionals. This could include an evaluation by nurses (which examines the possibility of self-harm, aggression, and suicide), a physical screening and an examination of observation by the nurse. Some of the questions you'll be asked during a psychiatric assessment may be invasive or even intrusive however it is vital to answer them honestly and accurately in order to receive a precise diagnosis. Consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator to obtain an additional medical opinion if your mental health service isn't providing you with the appropriate services. If they're unable to arrange this for you, local charities and voluntary groups could be able help. How can I obtain an Psychiatrist Assessment? https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment is possible to be diagnosed with ADHD privately if you meet the criteria, have been referred by your doctor and are willing to pay for an assessment. The process will be streamlined and quicker than the NHS. Find out if your private health care provider requires a referral letter from a doctor. Some do, some don't. If you want to get a diagnosis for ADHD in an adult be sure that the person who is conducting the assessment has experience with this condition before. Some medical professionals have preconceived notions of what a person with ADHD is like. These prejudices can stop people from being considered seriously when seeking a diagnosis. Adult ADHD specialists are trained to recognize these issues and offer an accurate diagnosis. During the appointment you will be asked questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluation will also include a detailed psychotherapy session with a psychiatrist, as well as tests. These may include online tests, a psychiatric interview and the completion of a number of validated assessments. The psychiatrist will present you with an extensive report following the evaluation. This will include their recommendations. They will discuss the advantages of taking medication, if necessary and suggest a suitable treatment strategy. They will also suggest other non-medical strategies you might find useful. Many providers of private assessments have a "shared care agreement" with GPs that allows them to prescribe medications (meaning that you pay the NHS prescription fee instead of the private charge). It is important to check carefully because some GPs might refuse to prescribe medication if a private diagnosis has been received. If you would like to have a test for adult ADHD You can take advantage of our streamlined ADHD diagnostic tests and get the results sent to your GP within 2 weeks. Our team is a specialist in ADHD and has a demonstrated track of helping patients receive the treatment they need. Click here to find out more or book your assessment. How do I obtain a Psychiatrist Diagnosis? If you think you might be suffering from ADHD If you suspect that you may have ADHD, make an appointment with an GP and let them know about your suspicions. If your GP is willing to refer you and takes your concerns seriously, they should put you on the NHS waiting list for an ADHD evaluation. This will include an interview with a psychiatrist and it is recommended, some psychological tests. You may also request a family or friend member to fill out a questionnaire on how they perceive your behavior. Your doctor will then use the information to conduct a thorough assessment of your health. This typically involves an extensive discussion with you, and it's often beneficial to bring someone along for support (although not compulsory). They will look for evidence that you have the right criteria to receive an ADHD diagnosis. This is based on psychiatric assessment results and their own medical knowledge. They will take into consideration your symptoms and how they affect you at various points in your life. They will also ask you to talk about your medical history and if there are any other mental health issues you may have. After the evaluation your doctor will provide advice on a treatment plan. It could be continuing private treatment with your diagnostic provider, shared care with your GP and your private physician or a return to your GP for prescriptions of medication. Your psychiatrist should go over all of these options with you and they should give you plenty of time to determine which one is best for you. If your physician doesn't find you with ADHD, they will explain the reasons the reason. It could be that they don't believe you have ADHD or that another diagnosis would be more appropriate given the facts of your case. It is possible to obtain an additional opinion from another NHS psychiatrist through the 'Right to Choose' pathway, but you will need to have your GP assist you in applying to your local ICB to receive assistance. You can also get an ADHD evaluation through a private mental health provider, like Priory hospitals or wellness centers. It's usually more expensive, but can be quicker. You can also consult a psychologist, who can diagnose ADHD but isn't allowed to prescribe medication.