ADHD Assessments - Can You Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis?

BBC Panorama reported today that adults with ADHD are diagnosed by private clinics using unreliable video consultations. This is a shame, especially since NICE guidelines demand rigour from qualified, regulated health professionals.

Fortunately, if your GP refers you for an NHS assessment in England you have the legal right to select the health care provider who evaluates you by using Right to Choose (RTC). Read more about this here.

What is an ADHD assessment?

If you or your child are having trouble at school at home, at school, or in the workplace you might suspect that ADHD might be to blame. However, determining if your child has ADHD requires a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional. A psychologist or psychiatrist or even the child's doctor can be involved. Some healthcare providers offer online tests that check for ADHD symptoms, but they can be misleading and aren't able to make a diagnosis.

Before a doctor's examination is completed, he will meet with you and other individuals who are involved in the life of your child including teachers and daycare employees. They will inquire about your child's behavior and the frequency it occurs. The doctor will also ask about other medical problems that can cause similar symptoms, including sleep apnea, thyroid conditions, hormone fluctuations, and the use of drugs.

The doctor may also conduct a variety of tests specifically designed to identify ADHD. These include tests for continuous performance and an assessment of the behavior of ADHD. These tests assess the amount of time it takes a subject to activate his "micro switch" in response to a visual or audio cue and how many of their responses are "Omission errors", which indicate inattention. The amount of omission errors correlates with the degree of ADHD.

Psychologists and psychiatrists also inquire about the client's family history and personal background. Some may use checklists that have been developed to identify specific signs of ADHD in children and adults. In most instances, however, the doctor will rely on their experience in the field and their knowledge of a patient's background to decide which, if any, questionnaires might be helpful in determining the diagnosis.

The most important thing to keep in mind when having an ADHD assessment is that there aren't quick and easy answers. It is a complicated condition and even the best doctors have trouble identifying it in their patients. That is why it is so essential to get a thorough, comprehensive assessment by a seasoned mental health specialist. You can seek suggestions by calling your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD. You can request a referral from your GP or utilize the NHS Right to Choose scheme.

What is an Psychiatrist Assessment?

A psychiatrist assessment is a set of questions, observations and tests that a psychiatrist trained in the field will take on. It's designed to help them determine what kind of mental health issue you might have and how it can be treated.

The psychiatrist will begin by taking a look at your symptoms and making sure whether there is any other physical cause. You will be asked several questions about your mood and what you've been doing lately. They may also ask about any mental illness within your family. They will also examine your current medications to determine what they can do for you. They may also consider your lifestyle and other factors that could affect how you feel.

A psychiatric evaluation usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The doctor will pay attention to your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They will also consider any other issues that you may have such as work and home life, how much sleep and whether you're able to concentrate on your work or study. They will also take into account your general health and any alcohol or drugs you take in addition to any recent events that may have affected your mental wellbeing.

They will then test your ability to focus, remember and use mental reasoning. They will also observe your body language, how you talk, and how irritable or aggressive you can be. They will also pay attention to the quality of your eyesight and hearing.

In hospital settings the psychiatric evaluation will typically be a multidisciplinary process with contributions from a range of healthcare professionals. This might include an assessment by nurses (which looks at risks of self-harm, aggression, suicide or suicide) as well as an assessment of physical health and an observational exam by the nurse.

You might feel that some of the questions that are asked during the mental health assessment may be intrusive or invasive but you must be able to answer them honestly and accurately in order to get a precise diagnosis. If you don't feel that your mental health services provide you with a service that is right for you, you should consult your psychiatrist or care co-ordinator about getting an additional opinion from a different medical professional. If they are unable arrange this for you local charities and volunteer groups might be able to help.

How do I obtain an Psychiatrist assessment?

It is possible to be diagnosed with ADHD privately if you meet the criteria or have been recommended by your doctor and are willing to pay for an assessment. The process will be more efficient and quicker than the NHS. It is worth checking whether your private service you choose requires the submission of a GP referral letter - some require it, while others do not.

If you are seeking a diagnosis of ADHD as an Adult it is crucial to make sure that the psychiatrist who is conducting the assessment has experience of working with this condition in adults. Some medical professionals have preconceived notions of what someone with ADHD is like. These prejudices can stop people being taken seriously when seeking the diagnosis. Adult ADHD specialists are trained to recognize these issues and offer a reliable diagnosis.

During your appointment, you will be asked to explain your symptoms and how they impact on your daily routine. The assessment will also involve an extensive clinical interview with a psychiatrist as well as some tests. They could include online tests, a clinical interview, and the completion of a number of validated tests.

The psychiatrist will present you with a detailed report after the evaluation. This will include their recommendations. If appropriate, they will discuss the benefits and suggest an appropriate treatment strategy. They will also suggest other non-medical strategies you may find helpful. A lot of the clinics that offer private assessments have a 'shared care agreement' with GPs regarding prescribing medication (meaning you pay the NHS prescription charge instead of the private fee). It is crucial to confirm carefully as some GPs may refuse to prescribe medication if a private diagnosis has been received.

If you'd like to have a test for adult ADHD, you can use our simple ADHD diagnostic assessments and send the results to your GP within 2 weeks. Our team are experts in ADHD and have a long track record of helping people get the treatment they require. Click here to find out more or to schedule your assessment.

How do I get a Psychiatrist Diagnose?

The first step is to set an appointment with your GP, and tell them why you think you might have ADHD. If your GP is willing to refer you and takes you seriously, they should place you on the NHS waiting list for an ADHD evaluation. This will include a clinical appointment with a psychiatrist and, ideally, psychological assessments. You could also request a family or friend member to complete a questionnaire on how they perceive your behavior.

Your doctor will make use of the information to conduct a thorough clinical assessment. This will usually involve an in-depth discussion with you. It is sometimes helpful to have someone else present for support, but it is not mandatory. They will want to see evidence that you meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. This will be determined by the results of a psychiatric evaluation and their medical expertise. They will look at your symptoms and the impact they've affected you over time. You will be here asked to discuss your past and if you have any other mental health problems.

After the assessment, your doctor will advise on a treatment plan. It could include the continuation of your private care with the diagnostic physician or a shared care arrangement between your GP and your private healthcare provider, or a discharge back to your GP to get medication prescriptions. Your psychiatrist should discuss all options with you and give you ample time to make a decision.

If your doctor does not provide you with an ADHD diagnosis, they will explain the reason. It could be that they do not think you have ADHD or they believe that a different diagnosis is more appropriate based on the circumstances of your case. You can seek a second opinion by a different NHS psychiatrist using the "Right to Choose" pathway. But, you'll have to ask your GP to assist you in applying to the local ICB to be considered for the funding.

You can also have an ADHD assessment through a private mental health provider, such as Priory hospitals or wellbeing centres. It's generally more expensive but it is also quicker. You can also be seen by a psychologist who is able to diagnose ADHD however, they aren't allowed to prescribe medication.