Private ADHD Clinics Exposed
Unmanaged symptoms can cause serious problems for people with ADHD. This can result in problems with relationships and work, anxiety and depression.
Private assessments adhere to Nice guidelines and are only performed by UK licensed psychiatrists or specialist ADHD nurses or "other appropiately qualified healthcare professionals". Each private assessment company has their own policies on GP referral letters.
What is ADHD?
ADHD people have trouble paying attention, staying still and following instructions. They might talk or fidget too much or interrupt other people constantly. Their problems can show up in their relationships, jobs and overall life performance. But there are also strengths for those suffering from neurodivergent conditions that allow them to be imaginative and creative, bringing energy and new ideas to their social or work lives.
These challenges are frequently evident in school where students must be able to sit still and focus. It's difficult to learn if your child is running around in the classroom, or is unable to focus when their teacher speaks. This can result in poor performance, conflict with parents and teachers, and difficulty keeping up at school.
ADHD is diagnosed by a psychiatrist who evaluates the symptoms of the patient and their caregivers as well as completes questionnaires and rating scales and also takes a medical history and a physical exam. A psychiatric assessment can also include mental diagnoses like depression or anxiety as well as details about the child's childhood, family history, and educational background.
When a person has inattentive ADHD, they only have trouble with the inattentive symptoms and may not be as easily identified as someone with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. Before, this was known as attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Children who exhibit inattention symptoms are less disruptive in school but struggle to stay on task and organize their work. They can make mistakes at home or miss important events or conversations.
The most common type of ADHD is combined type, which means the person displays at least six of the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. This is the kind of ADHD that most people imagine when they think of someone suffering from ADHD.
It's not clear why boys and children assigned male at birth are more than twice as likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis as girls and children assigned female at birth, but it may be because they have more of the hallmark hyperactive-impulsive symptoms that are easier to see and identify. This imbalance demonstrates how important it is to consult your doctor about any concerns you may have regarding a child regardless of gender or sexuality to determine whether the symptoms are typical for their age and if there's a need to consider treatment.
What is private adult adhd assessment need an assessment of my medical condition?
There is a growing fear that people are being "over diagnosed' with ADHD/ADD. This is due to a lack of funding to NHS mental health services and logjammed waiting lists for assessments. This has led to a lot of patients seeking private assessment and diagnosis services. Some of these private companies are now causing concern as they seem to be selling false diagnoses. This has led to the BBC airing a documentary, called Private ADHD Clinics Exposed.
This documentary highlighted some of the poor practice within some private ADHD assessment companies, but the problem is bigger than this. Anyone with concerns about treatment should consult an healthcare professional who is an expert in the area. This could be a psychiatrist, GP or other healthcare professional. This will ensure that the healthcare professional is in compliance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for the assessment and treatment of ADHD.
It is important that, in addition to adhering strictly to NICE guidelines and managing ADHD symptoms, the healthcare professional has a wealth of experience and expertise in diagnosing ADHD. It is therefore crucial to select a healthcare professional who offers a comprehensive ADHD assessment. This will include a conversation with the client to discuss their issues and how it has affected them, an examination of their mental history, and assessment of other people who have a good understanding of them.
After the assessment after which the therapist will be capable of confirming or denying the diagnosis of ADHD and decide what they would like to do to proceed with their care and treatment options, including medications. They will also be able to discuss any other mental health issues the client may have and their family history of mental illness.
It is important to note that if the clinician agrees that you suffer from ADHD and they are able to give you a prescription for stimulant medications. This is an obligation under current UK laws. Certain private assessment companies may require a GP referral, whereas others do not. Before you make a booking, always check with the provider.
How do I obtain an appointment for a diagnosis?
It can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It is important to consider that a diagnosis could be helpful. It could explain the reasons you struggle with skills such as concentration, listening attentively and following instructions things that are common to other people.
With the right support and guidance, you can overcome ADHD. In addition to medication, a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and lifestyle changes can help you cope with the difficulties associated with ADHD. The most frequently reported symptoms of ADHD for adults are issues with impulsiveness, focus, and poor time management. These difficulties can lead to low self-esteem, difficulties in forming relationships, and even issues at work or in university.
Adult ADHD is a difficult condition to diagnose due to its symptoms overlapping with other mental disorders. People of color and women may also have a harder diagnosis due to sexism and racism. This is because doctors might not take their symptoms seriously or assume that they aren't really struggling with ADHD.
A private ADHD assessment is similar to a standard psychiatric evaluation however, it involves an intensive discussion and a detailed discussion about your symptoms in different scenarios and over time. You will be asked to assess your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. The evaluation also includes physical examination and tests to rule out possible medical reasons for your symptoms.
If you've received a referral from your GP, Priory will contact you to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled psychiatrists. We'll ask you to fill out the screening questionnaires and provide any documentation you may have. These questionnaires are designed to determine whether you exhibit enough signs of ADHD to allow us to conduct the evaluation.
It is essential to be honest when answering these questions. You should also be able to describe how you've been feeling in full detail. This will allow us to determine the most appropriate solutions for your treatment. We will go over the results of your ADHD assessment with you, and then recommend an appropriate treatment strategy.
What happens when the assessment is completed?
If your GP believes that you might be suffering from ADHD, he or she will refer you to a mental specialist, usually a psychiatrist, to conduct an evaluation. Doctors are not able to diagnose ADHD however, they can help you communicate your symptoms and inquire about your family's history of mental health and the presence of comorbidities (the term used to refer to other conditions that are present alongside ADHD). It's often helpful for you as well as your partner or a close friend to be present at the assessment together. The assessment is a conversation between the professional and you, and it can take between 45 and 90 minutes. The examination will include the list of symptoms as well as questions about your symptoms in various situations and at various times during the day.
If the clinician conducting your examination believes that you may have ADHD they will speak with you about the medication options available. They will also discuss any health issues that you might have. They will also take a look at how your symptoms impact you professionally, socially and generally. They will talk with you whether they believe you could benefit from treatment or if you'd prefer to be referred to your GP to discuss the management.
It is possible that you are uncomfortable talking about certain things with your doctor. This includes information about past experiences that may be triggering for you to talk about. You can decide to leave a question blank or not answer it if you feel uncomfortable. Certain private insurance companies don't cover the costs of ADHD assessments or medication, even when they are diagnosed with ADHD. It is important to determine if your policy covers an ADHD evaluation and treatment if you have one of these insurers.
Depending on the amount you pay for your diagnosis, your psychiatrist will either give you a treatment plan or refer you back to your GP for further discussions. If you choose to have a treatment plan, your psychiatrist is likely to want to titrate your medication so that you are taking the correct dosage prior to prescribing it.