Adult ADHD Assessment in London
With NHS waiting times increasing patients might be thinking of taking the private assessment route. However, a substantial amount of funding is required to tackle the backlog of referrals.
During an adult adhd assessment Dr. Cubbin will often have you and a person who was with you as a child to complete questionnaires. He will also examine any school reports you may have.
Symptoms
ADHD can make it difficult to keep track, for example, of money, appointments and other activities. It can be difficult to recall conversations or plan school, work, or leisure activities. If you tend to forget appointments or leave behind items like your laptop charger or gym equipment, this could be a sign you have ADHD.
You could be suffering from hyperactive ADHD symptoms when you find it difficult to remain still or pay attention in a conversation. Being unable to wait for turns or take turns in a social group is another sign of this disorder. People with these symptoms might seem angry or unruly with others, even though there is no reason for this. They might become annoyed with waiting for the phone to ring or be called over to the counter. They may talk before thinking or interrupt conversations or complete sentences of others for them.
Attention-deficit symptoms can be difficult to spot because they are internalised. They don't impact others in the same way that hyperactive or impulsive signs do. These symptoms may have been present in the early years but did not cause major issues until the age of adulthood when they began to affect relationships or work.
It can be frustrating to lose a job or be absent from an important event because of unmanaged ADHD symptoms. It can also be difficult to find the help you need. Medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like, which can cause them to make a mistake in diagnosing the condition.
Contact us for a private and free chat if you think that you may suffer from ADHD. Our psychologist will ask you a few questions and take notes of your answers before putting in contact with an experienced psychiatrist to conduct the assessment. They will make use of various tools, including symptoms checklists or scales for assessing behaviour. They will also inquire about your symptoms and how they've affected your life.
Diagnosis
During your evaluation, you'll consult with a psychiatrist (who is legally qualified in the UK to diagnose ADHD) or psychologists to discuss your symptoms, and how they affect your life. The initial session will typically last two hours long, which gives you and your doctor plenty of time to discuss your concerns.
It is essential to be honest during your assessment, as your specialist will want to get an accurate picture of your current issues and their root cause. You might be asked to discuss your childhood experiences and issues, as well any other psychiatric diagnosis you may have.
Your specialist will use various tools and resources to aid you in understanding your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your daily life. These include checklists for symptoms and behavioural rating scales. They will also consider the impact your symptoms have on others and whether there are any comorbidities that are present (e.g. anxiety, depression, or substance abuse.
They will employ their expertise in clinical medicine to evaluate your symptoms in order to determine if you meet the criteria of an ADHD diagnosis for adults. They will look at your family and personal history as in addition to your personal and professional life to determine how your symptoms affect your life. The assessment process follows the guidelines laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The final diagnosis will be confirmed at your follow up clinic appointment which usually occurs within one week of your first session. Your physician will then discuss the options for treatment with you and address any questions you might have.
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD the treatment options may involve psychotherapy and medication. Treatment can be a simple and effective method of managing the symptoms of ADHD however it may take some time for your body to get used to the medication. When recommending a treatment, your physician will take into account your personal circumstances and preferences.
If you'd like to schedule an ADHD assessment, please call us on 07710 853 246 or fill out our online form. All calls will be answered by an assistant psychologist and we will discuss your options with you before suggesting the best treatment for you.
Treatment
A person with ADHD is likely to face significant difficulties in their daily routine. They may have difficulty to keep on top of important tasks, or remember dates, and are often uncontrollable taking decisions without weighing the consequences. These symptoms can make it hard to maintain relationships and friendships because they feel unappreciated by others. Adults suffering from ADHD can seek treatment in London.
The first step to receive an adult adhd evaluation is to visit a doctor or mental health professional who is skilled in diagnosing the condition. The specialist psychiatrist or psychologist can identify ADHD and will ask about your family history to determine if the condition is genetic. They will also look at the impact of your symptoms on your life, and also look at any other mental health issues you might be suffering from such as depression or anxiety.
If your physician confirms that you have ADHD, he or she will refer you to a private hospital for an assessment or a wellness center. Contrary to the NHS, private clinics offer more detailed assessments, and the psychiatrist will be able to discuss your symptoms with you. This will result in an accurate diagnosis since the doctor will consider your specific symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day activities.
You will be asked to take a screening test to determine your symptoms as part of your adult adhd assessment. These tests will assess both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms, and analyze how these symptoms have impacted your life in different situations. The tests will also look at any previous symptoms you might have had. The test results will be compared to the criteria set out in the DSM V. You will only be given a diagnosis of ADHD if you meet all the criteria for the condition.
Your doctor will then suggest a treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes, medication and psychotherapy. They will also provide ongoing support and advice, via email or short phone calls (limited to 10 minutes) between appointments. They can also write recommendations to your workplace or school, if required.
Follow-up
If you're concerned about being hyperactive or inattentional or have trouble keeping the things you need to remember, a visit to your GP might be beneficial. They will be able to talk to you about the symptoms and whether they could be caused by ADHD. They may also refer you to the NHS for an ADHD assessment.
You will be assessed by an experienced psychiatrist who is a specialist in mental health. They will ask you various questions about the symptoms that you have been experiencing. You will be asked to provide your medical and family history. They will also test your condition for any other ailments which can trigger similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety or depression.
The psychiatrist will employ a variety tools to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. They will look into your past psychiatric issues and look for other mental issues. They might also conduct various physical tests to determine if they are the cause of your symptoms. They will also look at your lifestyle and your work environment to determine if they are affecting your capacity to manage your symptoms.
The process can be lengthy and it can sometimes take a long time to get an answer. It is important to keep in mind that the NHS strives to provide the highest quality service and will do all they can to help you. If you are not happy with the wait times for an NHS ADHD assessment, you might want to look into private options, such as an adult adhd assessment in London.
Private assessments follow the same procedure similar to the NHS which includes a clinic interview and self-report questionnaires. These questionnaires can be completed by a specialist or, in certain cases, a close relative or friend to gain additional information. Additionally, the doctor will assess if there are any other underlying causes of your symptoms, for instance anxiety or depression and will suggest medication or therapy to help alleviate your symptoms.
The specialist will then write a report which they will send to your GP. With your consent they will also send an electronic copy of the report to you. This can help in enhancing your doctor's understanding of the disorder, because they're often unaware of the impact ADHD can have on a person's life after age.