ADHD Private Diagnosis

A GP may refer an adult suffering from ADHD to a private health professional for an assessment. This can be done either in person or by video call.

The BBC's Panorama investigation has revealed clinics that provide inaccurate diagnoses. This puts patients at risk.

What happens if I do not get an appointment?

A professional diagnosis can give you treatment options and help reduce feelings of confusion or self-doubt. A diagnosis can help family members understand the disorder and how it affects the life of a person. This can result in better relationships and a better understanding of ADHD.

In the UK the first step is to consult with your GP and discuss why you think you might have ADHD. Your GP should be concerned about your concerns and refer you to a specialist for an assessment. This process will be more efficient if you ask your GP to sign up for a plan that lets you choose your personal provider.

The next step is a comprehensive psychological evaluation, which consists of a detailed interview and psychological test. Bring a family member to the appointment is always beneficial. After the assessment the specialist will present a clear diagnosis of ADHD and give suggestions for treatment. The appointment should last for two sessions.

A private diagnosis specialist for adhd can help you avoid the traps of trying to obtain an appointment through the NHS. The healthcare professionals you collaborate with must still adhere to evidence-based practice and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines when providing care for you.

If your doctor doesn't determine that you have ADHD the doctor should explain why. It could be because they don't believe you meet their criteria for the disorder, or that they think another condition better explains your behavior (symptoms). This is perfectly fine and shouldn't deter you from seeking an additional opinion.

Adults often struggle to be diagnosed with ADHD because their GPs or other medical professionals misunderstand their symptoms. Certain doctors might tell that their issues result from a lack of effort or that they're lazy or incompetent. It can be frustrating, but you should keep in mind that these myths aren't supported by scientific evidence.

What happens if I disagree?

Many people with ADHD have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis. Some doctors have a lack of awareness of the condition and may not know the nature of the condition or how to identify it. Some might dismiss the symptoms as normal or think that the person is masking these symptoms. Certain GPs might also be confused by the difference between ADHD and other mental health disorders such as depression (everyone experiences depression at times) or anxiety (which can present with similar symptoms).

Some medical staff unfamiliar with ADHD may mistake the person's behavior as a sign of untreated ADHD, or assume that they suffer from anxiety or depression disorder due to it. This is especially challenging for women suffering from ADHD who's symptoms may be more subtle and easy to miss. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment can result in inappropriate treatment of the symptoms with antidepressants or other medications that are not effective in treating ADHD.

Some private assessment providers will require a letter from your GP before they will take your appointment. This can be a difficult process as NHS GPs may refuse to accept ADHD referrals (about 50% of all ADHD assessments are referred and then immediately rejected by the GPs).

The GP who examines you will ask some questions about your personal life and how your ADHD symptoms impact on it. Depending on the provider, this can include questions about your work, home and family. They will also talk about the different types of medication available to treat ADHD and will discuss which might be most suitable for you. Generally, clinicians will try stimulant medication first but should this not work for you then a nonstimulant medication like Atomoxetine, Venlafaxine or Bupropion Hydrochloride may be suggested.

If you are diagnosed your doctor will then send paperwork to your GP which outlines the diagnosis and the recommended treatment. This is known as a "shared care agreement". Certain doctors will sign these agreements, but not all of them will. If your GP does not accept these agreements, you'll still need to pay privately for appointments and prescriptions.

What is the next step if I am diagnosed but do not want to receive medication or any other treatment?

A lot of the symptoms of depression and anxiety are the same as those of ADHD and anxiety, therefore an expert in mental health can help you develop an appropriate treatment plan that meets the specific needs of each person. Early treatment is essential and may include talk therapy or medicine. It may also require lifestyle modifications. Children with ADHD could also be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. This is a pattern of aggression or aversion towards others or serious infringements of social norms and regulations at home, school, or among peers.

What happens if I want to drive?

The DVLA classifies ADHD as a disability. This could make it more difficult for you to obtain your driving license. This is only applicable when your symptoms have a an ongoing and significant impact on your daily life. This is something you should discuss with your physician.

In the same way, having ADHD can affect how you perform when driving, especially in the case of impulsivity or erratic driving behaviours. You may have difficulty to organize your car or ensure that you take your medication before driving. If you are concerned about this, you could opt to travel with a passenger or only drive when you'll be the only driver in the car.

As you can see, the Panorama program provided a biased negative view of private care for ADHD assessments. We hear from a lot of adults who receive a diagnosis without a drug titration, and then have to return to their GP and wait in the back of the queue for an NHS assessment because they were 'sneaked into a private clinic. This is not only a discrediting of the NHS but also contributes to the stigma surrounding a condition for which many sufferers feel belittled by their family members.