What Experts Say You Should Know

ADHD Diagnosis - Holding Private Clinics to Account
BBC Panorama's investigation of private clinics that diagnose ADHD is making them accountable. They are alleged to be over-diagnosing the condition.
Many people are seeking a private diagnosis of ADHD due to the fact that they cant wait for an NHS referral. Referrals from your GP can take several months.
Symptoms
If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your personal and professional life There are treatments available. These can include psychotherapy and/or medication. Understanding your symptoms and how they impact on your life is important and will help to guide the treatment you receive.
Inattention, hyperactivity, and inattention are the primary symptoms of adult ADHD. While everyone exhibits certain behaviors occasionally, people who suffer from ADHD do so more often and with greater frequency. These symptoms can cause serious problems in their life and have a negative impact on their relationships, work performance and general well-being.
ADHD can make it difficult to focus and listen, as well as follow instructions. It can cause problems at home and at school and cause people to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. It can also make people be irritable and tense and may cause difficulties with planning and organising tasks. private psychiatrist adhd assessment can cause problems with keeping appointments and responsibilities, as well as forgetting things like money, keys or the mobile phone.
Symptoms of ADHD can also cause problems with eating and sleeping, which can have a negative impact on overall health and wellbeing. In certain cases, untreated ADHD may be associated with depression and anxiety.
ADHD is not curable, however treatment can help ease symptoms and their impact on your life. You will need a psychiatrist or another qualified healthcare professional to discuss your issues. You will be asked to explain the symptoms and how they affect your daily life, including your family, work, and social life. They will then recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on your needs.
You may be referred to an adult ADHD specialist by your GP or you can call Priory yourself and schedule an assessment. If you have been diagnosed with adult ADHD it is possible to set up a shared-care agreement with your GP to pay only NHS prescription costs. This can be done at an additional fee.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards finding the best treatment for your symptoms. Based on the specific symptoms you experience and how they impact your life, treatment may differ from medication to cognitive behavioral therapy to coaching. The best choice is an extensive evaluation and diagnosis from an adult ADHD specialist. If your doctor is not willing to refer you to a specialist, you may ask for a referral to a private healthcare clinic such as Priory or another well-known hospital or wellbeing centre that is specialized in adult ADHD evaluations. These specialists have expertise in diagnosing ADHD and will provide you with an accurate diagnosis within a couple of weeks.
Finding out if you have ADHD in adults is more difficult than diagnosing children because the guidelines for identifying symptoms used by psychologists are really geared toward identifying problems in kids. The specialist will also likely conduct a clinical examination and will use questionnaires. Some doctors might even conduct a brain scan to determine whether your brain is functioning in the way it should.
A complete assessment of ADHD will also include a mental health check as around 80 percent of people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from another disorder like autism or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To be properly assessed, always see a psychiatrist who is an expert or a therapist that specializes in mental health.
If you're unsure of who to contact for an evaluation and diagnosis, consider asking your GP for recommendations or calling your insurance company to find out who is in the network and have the experience to determine adult ADHD. Alternately, you could contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to find recommendations for professionals in your region. Finally, if there's an ADHD support group in your local area you can ask for recommendations from those who attend the group.
A thorough ADHD assessment typically takes 1.5 hours and includes an online test as well as an interview with a psychologist, as well as the completion of several valid assessments. The result of the assessment will be a comprehensive report that your specialist will direct to your GP or write a letter.
Medication
If the symptoms of ADHD are affecting your daily life or relationships, you should seek out professional help. Your first step should be to visit your GP (family doctor) and request that they send you to an assessment. The GP will evaluate your symptoms and examine documents like school reports. They will only refer you to specialists if they feel that you meet the criteria of a diagnosis.
Once you are recommended to a specialist, you should attend an appointment with them. The doctor will discuss your symptoms, medical history and family history. They will also review your current health and lifestyle. They may suggest medication to control your symptoms. They will go over the benefits and risks of the medication and decide which option is best for you.
Stimulants are medications that are used to treat ADHD. The most common medication is methylphenidate. It increases the activity of the brain and can be prescribed as tablets that are immediate-release and which are taken twice or three times a day or modified release tablets taken once each week and released over the day. Methylphenidate is appropriate for adults, adolescents and children. Your doctor will discuss how long you should take the medication with you.
Certain media coverage of private ADHD assessment and treatment can create the impression that these clinics' are "shady". One example of this is the BBC Panorama documentary, originally titled The ADHD Scandal, which later changed to Private ADHD Clinics Exposed.
There is no doubt that the NHS is struggling to meet the demand for ADHD tests and treatments. However, this shouldn't detract from the fact that those who want to be diagnosed and treated for ADHD should have access to high-quality healthcare. The fact that a healthcare professional is charging for their services, it does not mean they are free to ignore the rules or disregard evidence-based practices. They must still follow the guidelines laid out by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence. That is true of doctors, psychiatrists, and private ADHD specialists as well.
Treatment
Getting the right diagnosis for ADHD is an essential step in managing your symptoms. Your GP might refer you to an assessment at a private clinic, such as Priory Hospital or a wellbeing center. The clinic will give you an extensive report of your results. In addition, they'll help you manage your symptoms to help you live a more fulfilling life and improve your overall health.
The first step is to fill out an assessment form. In general, it will ask you to rate your behavior in different situations, for example, at school, home or at work and with your friends. You may be asked to bring along someone from your family for support. Your Therapist will use this information to create an individualised treatment plan. They will examine your symptoms, how they affect you in different situations and your current life difficulties. They will also suggest any other treatments that might be beneficial, for instance, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
After you've been assessed the doctor will prescribe medication if needed. They'll consider your symptoms, your age and other factors. They'll also look at whether other conditions such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder could be contributing to your ADHD.
A thorough examination is necessary for an accurate ADHD diagnosis. This includes taking medical history, performing tests of the psychological and physical, and analysing your responses to questions. The doctor will talk with you about any other health issues that you've encountered, and will also check for other potential causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid problems or depression.
In some cases, a GP or psychiatrist may decide that you don't meet the criteria for being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be because your symptoms are too broad or an alternative condition is better suited to explain your symptoms. If you're not happy with the choice you made you may seek a second opinion. This can be done by an GP or psychiatrist.
In addition to prescribing medications, your psychologist will also assist you in establishing strategies for dealing with the challenges that come with living with ADHD. They'll give you suggestions on how to manage your symptoms at school, at work and at home. They will also provide guidance and support in developing an ideal self-image so that you can overcome the effects of your symptoms.