Private ADHD Clinics Exposed
Many people with ADHD may experience serious personal and professional issues due to untreated symptoms. These can include low performance at work and in relationships, depression and anxiety.
Private assessments adhere to Nice guidelines and can only be carried out by UK licensed psychiatrists or specialist ADHD nurses or "other appropriately qualified healthcare professionals". Every private assessment provider has their own policies regarding GP referral letters.
What is ADHD?
People suffering from ADHD struggle to sit still, paying attention and following instructions. They may fidget or talk too often, or interrupt others constantly. Their issues can manifest in their relationships, careers and general functioning. Neurodivergent people can also be creative, imaginative and enthusiastic in their work and social lives.
These issues are often evident at school, where children need to sit still and learn. It's difficult to learn if your child is running around in the classroom or is not paying attention when their teacher is speaking. This can lead poor performance, strained relations with parents and teachers, and difficulties in keeping up with school.
ADHD is diagnosed by a psychiatric specialist who evaluates the symptoms of the patient and caregivers as well as completes rating scales and questionnaires and takes medical history and a physical exam. A psychiatric assessment can include mental health diagnoses such as depression or anxiety, as well as information on the child's educational background, family history and growing up.
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. This was previously called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with this symptom are less disruptive at school, but struggle with staying on task and organizing their work. They may make careless errors at home, or forget 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 type that most people imagine when they think of someone who has 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 talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have regarding a child regardless of gender or sex, so they can assess whether the symptoms are typical for their age, and if there's a need for treatment.
What is the reason I need an appointment with a doctor?
There is a growing concern that people are 'over-diagnosed' with ADHD/ADD. This is fuelled by a lack of funding to NHS mental health services and logjammed waiting lists for assessments. This has led to many clients seeking private assessment and diagnosis services. Some of these private providers are now causing concern as they appear to be selling false diagnosis. The BBC broadcast a documentary titled Private ADHD Clinics Debunked.
This documentary highlighted some of the shoddy practices that are prevalent in a handful of private ADHD assessment firms, however the issue is much more extensive than this. Anyone concerned regarding treatment should consult a healthcare professional who is an expert in that field. This could be a psychiatrist, GP, or another healthcare professional. This will ensure that the healthcare professional adheres to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for assessing and treating ADHD.
It is crucial that, in addition to adhering to NICE guidelines and managing ADHD symptoms the healthcare professional has extensive experience and expertise in diagnosing ADHD. It is therefore important to select a healthcare professional who offers a comprehensive ADHD evaluation. This will include a conversation with the client about their symptoms and how they've been affected, a comprehensive review of their mental health history and consideration of information from others who know them well.
Following the assessment the doctor can either confirm or deny the diagnosis of ADHD. They will also discuss the best way to proceed, which includes medication options. They will also discuss any other mental issues that the patient may have in addition to their family history of mental illness.
You should also remember that if your clinician is of the opinion that you have ADHD they will need to prescribe stimulant medications. This is legally required under current UK laws. Certain private assessment providers will ask you to submit the GP referral letter, however others won't. Before making private adhd assessment adults , always check with the provider.
How do I get a diagnosis?
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a stressful and daunting process. But, it's worth remembering that a diagnosis can help you. It can explain why you have difficulties with everyday tasks like concentration, following instructions, paying attention and organising things that seem natural to other people.
With the right support and guidance, you can overcome ADHD. A combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes can help you overcome the challenges that come with ADHD. Adults with ADHD are typically identified by difficulties with impulsivity, concentration, and poor time management. These problems can lead to low self-esteem, difficulties in forming relationships and may cause problems at work or university.
Adult ADHD can be difficult to identify because of its overlapping symptoms with other mental health conditions. Women and people of color are also likely to have a difficult diagnosis because of racism and sexism. This is because medical professionals may not take their symptoms seriously or think that they're not suffering from ADHD.
A private ADHD assessment is very like a standard mental health evaluation however, it involves an intensive discussion and a detailed discussion about your symptoms in different situations and over time. You will be asked to rate the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. The assessment also involves an examination of your body and tests to rule out other medical reasons for your symptoms.
Priory will contact your GP to make an appointment with a psychiatrist. We will require you to complete a series screening questionnaires, and provide any other supporting documents you have. These questionnaires will determine if you show enough signs of ADHD to be eligible for an assessment.
It is essential to be honest when answering these questions, and also to describe how you've been feeling in detail. This will help us determine the most effective options for your treatment. We will go over the results of your ADHD assessment with you, and then suggest the best treatment program.
What happens when the assessment is completed?
If your GP believes that you be suffering from ADHD they will refer you to a mental health professional typically a psychologist for an assessment. Doctors aren't able to diagnose ADHD but they can communicate your symptoms, and ask about your family's mental history, and comorbidities. It's often helpful for you as well as your partner or a close friend to attend the test with you as well. The assessment is a dialogue between the expert and you, and it can last between 45 and 90 minutes. The test will consist of a checklist of symptoms and questions regarding your symptoms in different situations and at different times throughout the day.
If the clinician conducting the assessment believes that you might have ADHD, he or she will discuss with you the available medications available. They will also talk about any health issues that you might have. They will also consider the way your symptoms affect your professional, social and generally. They will then discuss with you if they think that you might benefit from treatment and whether they think you'd like to be referred to your GP to be managed together.
You may not feel comfortable talking about certain issues with your doctor. This includes information about past experiences that could be difficult for you to discuss. You can choose to leave a question blank or avoid answering it if you feel uncomfortable. It's important to note that there are private insurance companies that do not cover the costs of ADHD assessments and medications, even if they're deemed as having ADHD. You should check whether your insurance policy covers an ADHD assessment and medication if you are insured by one of these insurers.
Depending on how much you pay for your private diagnosis, your psychiatrist will either offer you an treatment plan or refer you to your GP to discuss further. If you decide to have a treatment program your doctor may decide to adjust your medication dosage to ensure you get the correct dose prior to prescribing.