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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment

ADHD Video Call Diagnosis A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed powerul drugs following unreliable video assessments in private clinics according to a BBC Panorama investigation has found The undercover investigation was carried out after tipoffs and dozens of patients and whistleblowers were listened to Many people are forced to pay for private assessments due to the NHS waiting list But is it really working What is the reason I need an individual diagnosis If you or someone you know suffers from ADHD You should find a doctor who can accurately diagnose the condition and prescribe most appropriate treatment Although many people opt to use the NHS a private diagnosis can often be more effective and save you time and money in the end There are concerns regarding the ability of the NHS to meet current demands for ADHD assessments Patients have to wait for weeks or months for an appointment This can be very difficult for those affected In addition many people feel that the quality of NHS assessment services is not quite as high as it should be In light of these issues its not a surprise that more people are opting to seek an appointment with a private physician However the BBC Panorama investigation has raised grave concerns about the quality of care offered by certain private clinics The undercover documentary revealed that some clinics were rushing through assessments over the phone and were telling patients that they had ADHD when in fact they did not A private assessment typically begins with a series screening questionnaires which you will be asked to complete and submit to the clinician The screenings are standardised and designed to determine if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD The results of these tests help the doctor decide if you should attend an appointment for diagnosis The doctor will then review your medical history and family history as and the impact of ADHD symptoms on your life The clinician will also perform an examination of your body and cognitive tests Depending on your circumstances you will then be diagnosed with ADHD and given a detailed treatment plan If you are diagnosed with ADHD The doctor will send a letter to your GP with paperwork for a shared care agreement This allows you to continue receiving NHS medication while only paying the NHS prescription fee You can also see your personal doctor to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy if necessary What is the outcome if I dont receive a diagnosis A correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can make a huge difference in the case of ADHD However the NHS method of diagnosing ADHD can be lengthy and difficult Some adults cant wait this long and turn to private specialists for their evaluation This can save time and stress but its important to realize that this isnt an assurance of a correct diagnosis A specialist with experience diagnosing ADHD can offer a more thorough diagnosis than an NHS psychiatrist This may include a medical examination as well as tests such as hearing or vision This could include checklists and questionnaires The person conducting the evaluation will also inquire about your family medical and social histories and your symptoms They may also use the standard ADHD scales for rating and may also request your teachers or caregivers to evaluate you When evaluating adult ADHD Healthcare professionals will be looking for five or more symptom over six months that are severe enough to cause disruption in the demands of work or at home They will also check whether these symptoms are caused by other mental disorders Depression and anxiety for example can cause ADHDlike signs They will also evaluate your professional and social history to rule out problems such as financial hardships abuse histories and alcohol and drug abuse During your NHS assessment you will be informed by a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional if you dont fit the criteria for ADHD You can ask for another assessment if they disagree with their decision If you have an official diagnosis of ADHD can decide to share this with their GP and the GP can send them back for shared management under the NHS This is the way that some adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD get access to medication Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medications due to the fact that they dont specialize in the condition or because its expensive What do I do if I dont agree with my diagnosis Remember that your clinician must be considerate and sensitive to your feelings and concerns They will know that unmanaged ADHD can cause serious problems for families and individuals If your clinician doesnt agree with the diagnosis they might be able to suggest other treatment options or diagnoses that might be more suitable for you If your clinician decides that you dont meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis and they explain the reasons why It may be because you did not give enough detail about your difficulties or because they believe another condition explains your traits symptoms better than ADHD If youre not satisfied with this choice then you can seek another opinion from a different doctor or take your case to the NHS complaints procedure No matter if you opt for private or access NHS services the wait time for an assessment could be lengthy and its worth considering that your clinician might find the process frustrating The NHS is stretched to its limits and this isnt the fault of the individuals who are involved GPs are also struggling to navigate the complicated process of diagnosing ADHD and autism and neurodivergence in general They must ensure they provide a solid safe fair and secure service and that they comply with the requirements of the GMC for sharing care prescribing The Panorama expose has revealed that private clinics employ quick diagnostic techniques which can put people in danger This is a national scandal and a very real reason to think about alternatives It is also worth noting that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it harder for certain people to be given an assessment This is especially true when they are of minority ethnicity or were born female or have other social and health circumstances that can influence how medical professionals evaluate the symptoms they exhibit If you are struggling with untreated ADHD symptoms and feel your life is being negatively impacted we are here to help Our doctors are experts in identifying ADHD and can provide assistance and treatment to help you overcome your difficulties Contact us today or request an appointment online to find out how we can assist you What is the consequence if I dont want to take medication If you are worried about ADHD symptoms but do not wish to use medication it is possible to get a diagnosis without the need for medication The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service and you can request a referral from your GP to be evaluated at one of the centres for specialist assessment in England or through the Right To Choose pathway which is faster Your appointment will consist of an online questionnaire a clinic interview and the completion of certain validated assessments This will allow your doctor to understand how these symptoms affect you and their impact on your daily routine The doctor will take into consideration your experiences in the past and your family history It is crucial to give accurate and honest answers If the doctor decides that you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD If they determine that you meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD they will provide you with a diagnosis You will be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication It is crucial to think about the potential consequences of taking any medication before making the decision This is because the effects of medication can be longterm and may cause serious adverse side effects if taken properly If you decide to take medication your doctor will provide you with the prescription and plan Depending on the severity your symptoms and the amount of time youve been experiencing them it might be recommended to take ADHD medication for an extended period of time It is essential to remember that there are other nonpharmacological ways to manage ADHD symptoms These include exercise diet and cognitive behavior therapy adhd diagnosing expose of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has caused controversy in particular because it suggests that people are being misdiagnosed as the result of inadequate evaluations of clinical conditions Were not sure that this doesnt happen because humans are awfully inexact creatures and psychiatry is barely a science If you are experiencing ADHD symptoms but are frustrated by the NHS waiting times it may be beneficial to pay for an assessment

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