ADHD Video Call Diagnosis - A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed powerful drugs after unreliable video call assessments in private clinics as a BBC Panorama investigation has found. The undercover investigation was carried out after tip-offs and dozens of patients and whistleblowers have been spoken to. Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean many people are forced to pay for a private assessment. But does it work? Why do I require an individual diagnosis? If you believe that you or someone you know has ADHD It's essential to find a specialist who can evaluate your condition and provide you with the necessary treatment. While a lot of people choose to use the NHS but an individual diagnosis can be more efficient and can save you both time and money in the long run. There are concerns that the NHS is unable to cope with current demands on its services for ADHD assessments. Patients are forced to wait weeks or months to get an appointment. This can be extremely difficult for those affected. Many people also feel that the NHS assessment services are not as effective as they could be. In the face of these issues, it's not surprising that more adults are choosing to go for a private assessment. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns about the quality of care offered by private clinics. The undercover programme reported that some clinics were rushing through tests over the phone and told patients they had ADHD even though, in actual they didn't. A private examination will typically begin with a set of screening questionnaires that you are asked to complete and return to the doctor. The tests are designed to see if you have symptoms of ADHD and are also standardised. The results of these tests help the doctor decide if it is appropriate to schedule a diagnostic appointment. The clinician will then assess your medical history and family history, as well as the impact of ADHD symptoms on your life. They will also carry out an examination of your body and cognitive tests. You will be diagnosed with ADHD according to your specific situation and given a treatment program. If you're diagnosed with ADHD, your clinician will forward documents to your GP to sign a shared care agreement. This allows you to continue to receive NHS medications while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also consult your personal doctor to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy if needed. What happens if I do not get a diagnosis? A correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can make a massive difference in the case of ADHD. The NHS can be slow and frustrating when it comes down to diagnosing ADHD. Some adults cannot wait that long to look for private doctors to determine their condition. This can save time and stress, but it's important to realize that this isn't an assurance of a correct diagnosis. A specialist who has experience diagnosing ADHD can offer more detailed evaluations than a psychiatrist working for the NHS. This could include a medical exam and tests like hearing or vision. It will also include checklists and questionnaires. The person conducting the test will also ask about your family history, as well as medical and social history, as well as asking about your symptoms. They might also use standard ADHD rating scales and may be able to inquire from your caregivers or teachers for ratings, too. When assessing adults with ADHD the healthcare professional will look for five or more symptoms that have been present for at least six months and that are severe enough to cause disruption in the family or work environment. They will also determine whether the symptoms are a result of other mental disorders. Depression and anxiety, for example can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. They will also look at your social and work background to rule out issues like financial hardship, a history of abuse, and drug or alcohol misuse. During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional will tell you if they believe you don't meet the criteria to be considered a sufferer of ADHD. They will explain their reasoning and you can request another assessment if you disagree with their conclusion. Individuals who have an official diagnosis of ADHD can decide to share this information with their GP, and the GP can send them back for shared management through the NHS. This is how many adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD get access to medication. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medications because they aren't experts in the condition or because it's costly. What do I do if I don't agree with my diagnosis? Remember that your doctor must be considerate and sensitive to your concerns and feelings. They'll understand that untreated ADHD symptoms can create significant problems for families and individuals. If your physician isn't in agreement with the diagnosis, they may be able to suggest other treatments or diagnoses that may be more appropriate for you. If your physician finds that you don't meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis They will explain the reasons why. It could be due to your inability to give enough detail about your struggles or they believe that a different condition can explain your characteristics (symptoms) better than ADHD. If you're not happy with the diagnosis you may seek a second opinion from a different clinician or go through the NHS complaints process. It is important to be aware that your clinician might find the process of assessing challenging, whether you opt for private care or NHS care. The NHS is overstretched and this isn't the fault of the people affected. GPs are also struggling to navigate the complicated process of diagnosing ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence in general). They must ensure they provide a solid safe, fair and secure service and that they meet the GMC's requirements for shared care prescribing. The Panorama expose has revealed that some private clinics are using short cut diagnostic techniques and this could put people at risk. This is a national scandal, and a very real reason to consider alternatives. It is also important to remember that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult for certain people to receive the diagnosis. This is especially true if they are of minority ethnicity or born female or have other health and social circumstances that affect the way medical professionals interpret the symptoms they present. We can help if you feel your life is negatively affected by untreated ADHD symptoms. Our doctors have experience diagnosing ADHD, and can provide assistance and treatment for your difficulties. Contact us or request an appointment online to discuss what we can do to help. What happens if I don't want to take medication? If you are worried about ADHD symptoms but don't want to use medication, it is possible to be diagnosed without taking medication. The NHS provides an adult ADHD assessment service. You can request an appointment from your doctor to be evaluated at one of the centers for specialists in England or by the 'Right to Choose' pathway which is a lot faster. Your appointment will include an online questionnaire, a medical interview, and the completion of some validated assessments. This will allow your clinician to determine how you are affected by these symptoms and what impact they have on your daily activities. The doctor will take into consideration your experiences in the past and your family history. It is crucial to provide truthful and accurate answers. If a doctor determines that you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD If they determine that you meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, they will give you a diagnosis. You will also be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. Before https://stokes-pereira.mdwrite.net/ask-me-anything-10-answers-to-your-questions-about-getting-diagnosed-with-adhd-1725656346 make a decision, it is important to consider the pros and cons of taking a medication. The effects of medications are long-lasting, and may cause serious adverse effects when taken improperly. If you decide to take medication, the psychiatrist will give you a plan and a prescription. You may be given ADHD medication for a long period of time, depending on the severity of your symptoms and how long you've been suffering from them. It is essential to keep in mind that there are other options that aren't pharmacological to deal with ADHD symptoms. These include exercise, diet, and cognitive behavior therapy. The BBC Panorama 'expose' of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has caused a lot of controversy, particularly because it suggests that patients are being misdiagnosed because of insufficient assessment of their clinical needs. We are hesitant to say that this isn't the case because we are inexact creatures, and psychiatry rarely qualifies as a science. If you're experiencing ADHD symptoms but are annoyed by the NHS waiting time, it could make sense to pay for an assessment.