ADHD Diagnosis Private Strategies From The Top In The Business

How to Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis
Many patients seeking a diagnosis of ADHD are struggling with the burden of long NHS waiting lists. Some are desperate for answers and are willing to pay private companies for their services.
However an earlier BBC Panorama investigation has suggested that a lot of these private clinics are providing unreliable health assessments. This has led to some controversy and raised concerns about the quality of care that patients receive.
Diagnosis
You'll need to visit an experienced psychiatrist for a complete examination to be diagnosed with ADHD. A psychiatrist is the only person who can provide a definitive diagnosis for medication. This is important because a valid diagnosis will be required to access certain workplace protections, like flexible working, as well as to be able to access NHS medications.
The symptoms of ADHD fall into three main categories: hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. While everyone displays certain traits occasionally however, those with ADHD often show them in a more extreme form. Hyperactivity can manifest as fidgeting or being agitated. It could also be accompanied by problems with planning and organizing. Impulsive behavior could include impulsive purchases without thinking about the consequences, or rushing to situations without proper planning. Inattentional ADD can be characterized by difficulty in staying focused, procrastination, missing deadlines, or a lack of ability to plan ahead. Combined ADHD is the most common form of the condition and involves problems with both inattentive and impulsive/hyperactive symptoms.
Many adults are reluctant to pursue a diagnosis. However, it's important to receive the help and treatment you require. A diagnosis of ADHD can provide relief and clarity to your life. It will also help you understand the symptoms and provide strategies and tools to deal with them. After being diagnosed, adhd assessment of our patients report that their lives have changed for the better.
The process of assessment will include a conversation about your symptoms and how they impact your life, taking the DIVA online test and an in-depth interview with a clinical psychologist. During your assessment, our psychiatrists have years of experience in diagnosing adults with ADHD and are extremely competent in helping you feel at ease and comfortable.
The Assessment
You'll need to go through a thorough assessment as an adult with ADHD before you are diagnosed. The assessment must be conducted by a healthcare professional who is an ADHD specialist. This can be a specialist psychologist, nurse or psychiatrist (though nurses are not able to prescribe medication). It doesn't matter where they are in the pecking-order of healthcare professionals, because it is their specific skills and knowledge that defines them as a specialist.
A specialist will employ structured interviews to collect as much information about your symptoms as they can as they can, including how they affect you and your relationships and how long they last. They will also review your medical history and ask questions about the mental health history of your family as well. The doctor will then take into consideration all the information collected from a variety of sources and make an assessment based on the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria.
During the test, you will be required to complete tests designed to measure your symptoms. These tests will also reveal their impact on how you perform in your daily activities. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires regarding your symptoms, memory, inkblots, and other tests, such as puzzles or timed exercises. They'll also take into consideration any other disorders you may have, as they may present symptoms that are similar to those triggered by ADHD.
The test will also include an interview with a person who is familiar with you - such as a family member, partner or a friend. This is done to gather more confirmation of your ADHD symptoms and to see if they are impacting your relationships or work.
The specialist you meet with will be able give you a thorough report that outlines the findings of your examination and the options available for treatment, such as an agreement to share care with your GP for medication (where you pay only the NHS prescription charge). The specialist will discuss their recommended holistic plan for your care and will go over any medication they believe is appropriate.
Treatment
Adults suffering from ADHD might have difficulty obtaining an assessment. The first step is to obtain an individual assessment with a specialist doctor who will be able to confirm or denial the diagnosis. These are normally psychiatrists with years of experience in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. The doctor will also inform you if there are any other mental health conditions that could cause your symptoms or whether they are caused by medication.
After the assessment, your clinician will discuss the results and suggest a plan of treatment. Depending on the requirements of each patient you could be prescribed medication or undergo psychotherapy. Most people with ADHD are prescribed stimulant drugs that help to improve their symptoms. These drugs are believed to boost the amount of brain's chemical messengers, such as dopamine and norepinephrine which play a crucial role in attention and movement. Most people notice that their symptoms get better when they take the medication regularly.
Adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from therapy that focuses primarily on improving their relationships and self-esteem. This can also include strategies to reduce their frustrations and improve their ability to manage their time and tasks. Some people with ADHD may also benefit from diet changes, which can improve their energy levels.
Some adults are more likely to struggle to receive a diagnosis of ADHD than others, especially if they are from the minority group. This is due to the fact that some medical professionals have preconceived notions about what ADHD appears to be. People from these groups are also more likely to be misdiagnosed or denied a treatment because of this.
Finding affordable treatment and evaluations isn't easy, especially when you don't have insurance. Many hospital-based clinics offer specialized ADHD clinics that take consideration financial concerns. These clinics are also more likely to accept a variety of insurance plans, and have residents or interns in training that can offer treatment under the supervision of a mentor.
Support
People suffering from ADHD often struggle to recognize the impact their conditions have on their lives. They don't always realize that their difficulties in organising, planning and completing tasks lead to issues at work or in relationships. People with high IQs are more likely to fail to understand the effects of their ADHD. They may develop coping strategies that enable them to perform less than their potential. However, these may lead to other problems, such as anxiety, depression, or drug or alcohol abuse.
This story demonstrates the need to seek an expert diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. There are long waiting lists for NHS care, which makes it difficult for a lot of people to receive the treatment they need. Some pay for private healthcare but aren't guaranteed that their doctors will sign a "shared care agreement" that would allow patients to return to the NHS to receive follow-up care following a diagnosis by a private doctor of ADHD. This could result in them having to continue to pay for private treatment and CBT and even more costly professional coaching services.
Always check if the health professional you're working with has expertise working with adults who have ADHD. You can look up their website or phone number to confirm they have the expertise needed. You can also inquire whether they have dealt with comorbid disorders (disorders which co-exist with ADHD).
It is essential to select the right psychiatrist or therapy, because they will be the ones who will prescribe medication when needed. Find a doctor with specialized training on adult ADHD. You can do this by contacting your local support group for adults with ADHD, or the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) organization to find an expert in your area.
You should also consider your personal preferences when choosing a psychiatrist or therapist. For instance, some people are more comfortable with a psychiatrist who is a member of their gender or ethnicity. You might also prefer to work with someone who is LGBTQIA+-allied or has experience with clients with kinks.