Private ADHD Clinics Exposed
Untreated symptoms can create serious problems for those with ADHD. These include poor work performance and relationships, anxiety and depression.
Private assessments follow Nice guidelines and are only conducted by UK registered psychiatrists and specialist ADHD nurses or "other appropriately qualified healthcare professionals". Every private assessment provider has their own policy on GP referral letters.
What is ADHD?
People with ADHD are unable to remain still and paying attention to instructions. They may fumble and talk too much or be constantly interrupting others. The issues they face can manifest in their relationships, careers and overall life performance. People with neurodivergent disorders can also be creative, imaginative and energetic in their professional and social lives.
The majority of these issues are apparent at school, where children have to be seated and learn. It's impossible to learn if your child is running around in the classroom, or zoning-out when their teacher is speaking. This can result in poor performance, strained relationships with parents and teachers and a struggle to keep up with school.
ADHD is diagnosed by a psychiatrist who reviews symptoms from the patient and caregivers, completes rating scales and questionnaires and also takes an medical history and physical exam. A psychiatric evaluation can include mental diagnoses, such as anxiety or depression and information about the child's childhood as well as family history and education.
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. It was previously known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with inattentive symptoms are less disruptive at school, but struggle to stay on track and organize their work. They could make a few erroneous mistakes at home or have trouble recalling important conversations or events.
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 type most people imagine when they picture someone with 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 disparity shows how crucial parents should discuss with their doctor any concerns they have for their child, regardless of gender or sex. They can then assess whether their symptoms are typical and whether treatment should be considered.
What is the reason I need an examination?
There is a growing fear that people are being "over diagnosed with ADHD/ADD. This is due to a deficiency in funding for NHS mental health services and long waiting lists for assessments. Many people have sought out private diagnostic and assessment services. Some of these private practitioners have been causing concern, as they appear to be selling false diagnoses. This has led to the BBC airing a documentary, called Private ADHD Clinics Revealed.
This documentary highlighted some of the shoddy practices that are prevalent in a handful of private ADHD assessment firms, but the problem is bigger than this. Anyone concerned about treatment should consult a healthcare professional who is an expert in the area. This could be a psychiatrist, GP or another healthcare professional. This will make sure that the healthcare professional is following the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the assessment and treatment of ADHD.
It is crucial that, in addition to adhering strictly to NICE guidelines and managing ADHD symptoms the healthcare professional has years of experience and expertise in diagnosing ADHD. This is why it is important to choose a doctor who offers a thorough ADHD assessment. This includes a discussion with the client to discuss their issues and how they have affected them as well as an examination of their mental history and consideration of other people who are familiar with them.
After the assessment the doctor can either confirm or deny the diagnosis of ADHD. They will also discuss the best method to proceed, including treatment options. They can also discuss any other mental health issues that the client may have and their family history of mental illness.
Also, keep in mind that if your clinician agrees with you that you suffer from ADHD they will need to prescribe stimulant medications. This is a legal requirement under current UK laws. Certain private assessment providers will require an GP referral letter, however others won't. Before making a booking, always check with the company.
How do I obtain a diagnosis?
It can be frightening and difficult to be given an ADHD diagnosis. It is important to consider that a diagnosis could be helpful. It could explain why you struggle with skills like concentration, listening attentively, following instructions and organisation things that are common to other people.
With the right help, you can manage ADHD. Alongside medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications can help you cope with the difficulties associated with ADHD. Adults with ADHD are often characterized by problems with concentration, impulsivity and poor time management. These problems can lead to low self-esteem, difficulties in forming relationships and may cause problems at work or in university.
Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose because of its overlapping symptoms with other mental health issues. People of color and women might also have a tougher in obtaining a diagnosis due to sexism and racism. This is because doctors might not be able to take the symptoms seriously or think they don't have ADHD.
A private ADHD assessment is similar to a routine mental health assessment but will include more specific discussions with your doctor, as well as an in-depth interview about your symptoms in various environments. adhd private assessment will be asked to assess your symptoms and their impact on your daily functioning. The assessment also involves physical examination and tests to rule out any other medical reasons for your symptoms.
Once you have an appointment with your GP, Priory will contact you to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled psychiatrists. We'll ask you to complete an array of screening questions and provide any supporting documentation you may have. These questionnaires are used to determine if you have enough signs of ADHD to warrant an assessment.
When answering these questions, it's important to be truthful and explain your feelings in detail. This will help us identify the most effective options for your treatment. After you have completed the ADHD assessment, we will discuss your results with you and recommend an appropriate treatment strategy.
What happens after the test is completed?
If your GP believes that you have ADHD they will refer you to a mental health professional typically a psychologist to conduct an assessment. The GP cannot diagnose ADHD, but they can assist you in describing your symptoms and inquire about family mental health history and comorbidities (the term used to describe different conditions that occur alongside ADHD). It is usually beneficial to bring a companion or a friend along for the assessment. The assessment is a discussion between the specialist and you, and could last between 45 and 90 minutes. The examination will include a checklist of symptoms and questions about your symptoms in different situations and at various times during the day.
If the doctor conducting the evaluation believes you may have ADHD If he or she believes that you may have ADHD, they will discuss with you the available medications available. They will also talk about any underlying health issues you might have. They will also discuss the way your symptoms affect you professionally and socially and how they affect your overall life. They will then discuss with you if they believe you could benefit from treatment, and if they think you would like to be referred back to your GP for shared management.
It is possible that you are uncomfortable discussing certain details with your doctor. This includes details about past experiences that might be upsetting for you to discuss. If there's something you feel uncomfortable with you may ask to not answer the question or leave it blank. Certain private insurers don't cover the costs of ADHD assessments or medication even if they are diagnosed with ADHD. If you are insured by one of these insurance companies you should verify that it covers an ADHD assessment and medication prior to taking the next step.
Depending on the price of your private diagnosis, a psychiatrist may offer you a plan of treatment or refer you to your GP for a re-discussion. If you decide to enroll in a treatment plan your doctor may decide to adjust the dosage of your medication to ensure that you get the correct dose prior to prescribing.