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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment

ADHD Video Call Diagnosis A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and given powerful medications following unreliable video call assessments at private clinics as an BBC Panorama investigation has found The undercover investigation took place after tips were received A plethora of patients and whistleblowers spoke to Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean that many people have no choice but to pay for a private assessment But is it really working Why do I need an individual diagnosis If you or someone you know suffers from ADHD You should find a doctor who will accurately diagnose your condition and prescribe best treatment While a lot of people choose to go with the NHS but private diagnosis may be more effective and save you time and money in the end There are concerns about the ability of the NHS to meet the current demands 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 feel that the NHS assessment services arent as good as they could be Its not surprising therefore that more adults choose to have a private assessment However the BBC Panorama investigation has raised serious concerns about the quality of care at some private clinics The undercover program revealed that some clinics were rushing through assessments over the phone and were telling patients that they were suffering from ADHD when in reality they didnt A private assessment typically begins with a series of screening questions that you will be asked to complete and then submit to your doctor The screenings are designed to see if you have symptoms of ADHD and are standardised The results will assist the doctor to decide whether or not you need to attend a full diagnostic appointment The clinician will then evaluate your medical history and family history as in addition to the impact of ADHD symptoms on your daily life They will also conduct a physical examination and cognitive tests You will be diagnosed with ADHD in light of your circumstances and given a treatment plan If youre diagnosed with ADHD your doctor will forward documentation to your GP to sign a shared care agreement This allows you to continue to receive NHS medication while paying only the NHS prescription fee You can also consult your private clinician to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy in the event that it is needed What happens if I dont get an answer to my question If how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult suffer from ADHD a good diagnosis and treatment plan can make a huge difference However the NHS process for diagnosing ADHD can be long and frustrating Some adults cannot wait that long to seek out private specialists to evaluate their health This can save time and frustration but its important to understand that this isnt necessarily an assurance of a correct diagnosis A professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD can provide a more thorough assessment than an NHS psychiatrist This can include a medical exam and tests such as hearing and vision It will also include checklists and questionnaires The person who is conducting the test will also inquire about your family medical and social histories and your symptoms They may also use standard ADHD scales for rating and may also ask your caregivers or teachers to give you a score When assessing adults with ADHD the healthcare professional will look for five or more signs that have been present for at least six months and that are severe enough to affect the home or in the workplace They will also determine if these symptoms are a result of other mental disorders Depression and anxiety for instance can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD They will also assess your work and social life history to rule out any issues like financial hardship or an abuse history and alcohol or drug abuse During your NHS assessment you will be told by a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional if you do not fit the criteria for ADHD They will explain their reasoning and you are able to request a new assessment if you disagree with their decision If you have a private diagnosis of ADHD can choose to share this with their GP and the GP can then refer them back for shared management through the NHS This is how some adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD receive medications However GPs are recognized as being reluctant to prescribe ADHD medication because they do not specialise in the condition and also because its expensive What happens If I dont like my diagnosis Remember that your therapist must be considerate and sensitive to your feelings and concerns Theyll know that untreated ADHD can cause major problems for families and individuals If your doctor isnt happy with the diagnosis they might be able suggest alternative treatment options or diagnoses that might be more appropriate for you If your doctor finds that you dont meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis and they provide the reasons for this It may be because you did not give enough detail about your difficulties or because they believe another condition explains your traits symptoms more effectively than ADHD If youre unhappy with the outcome you can seek another opinion from another clinician or go through the NHS complaints procedure No matter if you opt for private or access NHS care the wait time for an assessment can be lengthy and its worth pondering that your doctor may find the process difficult The NHS is overstretched and its not the fault of the people who are involved GPs also face challenges in navigating the complex diagnosis process for ADHD as well as autism and neurodivergence in general They must be sure they offer a highquality service that is safe and fair as well as meet the standards of shared care prescribing that are set by the GMC The Panorama expose has exposed that private clinics utilize shortcut diagnostic methods which can put people in danger This is a national scourge and a compelling reason to look at alternative options It is also important to note that the stigma attached to being diagnosed as ADHD can make it difficult for some people to receive a diagnosis This is particularly true if the person is a member of a minority group or was a female at birth or has any other health and social circumstances that can influence the way medical professionals perceive their symptoms If youre struggling with unmanaged ADHD symptoms and feel your life is being negatively affected we are here to assist Our clinicians are experienced in diagnosing ADHD and can offer support and treatment for your concerns You can call us or make an appointment online to discuss what we can do to help What happens if I dont want to take a medication You can receive a diagnosis when youre concerned about ADHD symptoms but do not need to take any medication The NHS provides an adult ADHD assessment service You can request a referral from your GP to be evaluated at one of the centres for specialist assessment in England or via the Right To Choose option which is a lot more efficient Your appointment will include a validated assessment a clinical interview and an online questionnaire This will help your physician to determine how you are affected by these symptoms and the impact they have on your daily activities The clinician will take into account your previous experiences and family history It is important that you give truthful and accurate information If the clinician finds that you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and ADHD they will be in a position to give you an diagnosis You will be asked whether you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication Before making a decision it is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using a medication This is because the effects of medications can last for a long time and be harmful if taken in a proper manner The doctor will issue you an appointment and a treatment plan if you decide to take medication Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the duration of time youve been suffering from them it could be recommended that you take ADHD medication for a long period of time It is also important to keep in mind that there are other nonpharmacological ways to manage ADHD symptoms These include exercise diet and cognitive behavior therapy The BBC Panorama expose of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has caused controversy particularly because it suggests that people are being misdiagnosed as the result inadequate evaluations of clinical conditions We hesitate to claim that this doesnt happen because humans arent precise creatures and psychiatry barely qualifies as a science If you are experiencing ADHD symptoms but are frustrated by the NHS waiting times it may make sense to pay for an assessment