Private ADHD Diagnosis - Why You Should Choose a Private ADHD ClinicADHD is still largely undiagnosed and under-treated, at great cost to both society and individuals. This is partly due to the attitudes of gatekeepers who manage referral pathways.You can receive a personal diagnosis through the NHS "Right To Choose" scheme. This lets you be recommended by the NHS to a reputable service that has contracts. This can make the process much faster.Waiting several timesThe NHS is overwhelmed with the demand for ADHD treatment and assessments, resulting in long wait times. Some patients are waiting for seven years to get their first test, a charity has warned. ADHD Action, a non-profit organization has warned that people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are in a dangerous position. The charity ADHD Action said that this is despite the fact the awareness of ADHD has risen due to the success of celebrities like Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha who have been open about their struggles.One of the reasons behind the long waiting times is that there are not enough NHS ADHD specialists to meet the demand. This is made more difficult by the fact that the NHS does not collect routinely collected data, making it difficult to know how many people are waiting to be assessed. Private healthcare patients can choose an alternative route. They can request their GP to refer them outside of the area or pay privately for an ADHD assessment.A private assessment is a 45 - 90 minute appointment with a psychiatrist who will inquire about your medical history and symptoms. They will then recommend a course of medication or treatment according to their findings. Private assessments are a good option for people who want quick and accurate diagnosis. Be aware that certain providers will require a referral from your GP however, others don't. This can impact your options for an agreement for shared care with your GP, which means you pay just the NHS prescription charge for your medication.Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be stressful, particularly when you're struggling with the symptoms. It can also be a relief. A clear diagnosis can help improve your life by helping you make better decisions. Here are some suggestions for finding the right provider for you if you're thinking of a privately diagnosed patient.Verify the credentials and experiences of a psychiatrist before choosing one. The psychiatrist should not just possess a medical degree, but also have completed specialist training in the field of mental health. It is also important to determine whether the psychiatrist is certified to prescribe medications. Make sure the psychiatrist is interested in treating ADHD. In addition to this the psychiatrist should also be able identify and treat any co-morbidities associated with ADHD.PsychiatristsPsychiatrists hold medical degrees and are specialists in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. They can assist with physical and emotional problems, such as ADHD. Many psychiatrists are experts in several areas, such as psychotherapy, social services, and pharmacology. Some psychiatrists have been educated in psychotherapy that is transcultural and have vast knowledge of both adult and child psychiatry.It is recommended that you first speak to your GP to discuss your concerns. Your concerns should be taken seriously by your GP, who will refer you for an assessment. It is important to talk about your symptoms and family background, as they can impact the diagnosis. Before referring you to a specialist for assessment, your GP may require you to fill out an ADHD screener. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and is usually done in person, but you can also fill out the questionnaire over the phone or online video call.Only a Psychiatrist, or a specialist nurse can conduct an assessment for ADHD. Only these health professionals are able to prescribe medication for this condition. However, if you would prefer not to use medication, you can consult an expert psychologist to conduct an assessment. The typical assessment lasts 90 minutes, however, you can anticipate spending longer than that because your Psychiatrist will be examining your symptoms and the history.BBC's Panorama show recently highlighted the lengthy waiting times for ADHD assessments in the NHS. The program also questioned quality of certain private ADHD assessment services. The report suggested that some psychiatrists are diagnosing adult with ADHD and prescribing them drugs without properly assessing the severity of their symptoms. In some cases, these patients aren't taking the medication as instructed. This could cause serious side effects like insomnia or high blood pressure.At private adhd and autism assessment , NHS patients can choose the doctor they wish to see for an ADHD assessment. There is a list of GPs who provide this service here. However the list doesn't contain all providers that have contracts with NHS England. You can also obtain private treatment via Right to Choose, although the consultation fees are not paid for by the NHS.CBT therapyThere are a variety of treatment options available for adults with ADHD. There are a myriad of treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD. The most popular is stimulant medication. However there are many other non-medicated treatments that may be beneficial. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help improve symptoms of ADHD by changing negative thoughts and behavior. This kind of therapy is usually combined with individual and group sessions and requires a strong relationship with your therapist. You should also consider whether you suffer from any mental health issues such as anxiety or depression that could hinder your ability to manage symptoms.If you suspect that you might have ADHD, it is important to talk to your GP and discuss your concerns with them. They must take your concerns seriously and refer you for an ADHD assessment. You may be asked for an assessment like the DIVA test. Then, you will meet with a psychiatrist to discuss your concerns and find out the treatment options available.A private ADHD assessment is a great alternative if you are unable to wait for an NHS referral. A private assessment will consist of a 45- to 90-minute interview with a psychiatrist who has been specially trained in diagnosing adult ADHD. The cost will range from PS500 and 800. Some providers require an GP referral, whereas others do not.A ADHD diagnosis can enhance your quality of life by helping you deal with your symptoms and decreasing stress levels. It can also decrease the risk of taking impulsive decisions that can cause problems in your professional or personal relationships. Joining a support group is also beneficial to many people with ADHD. These groups can be an encouraging, empowering and supportive environment for people with ADHD. You can find them on the internet or in person.It is important to know that only a qualified specialist nurse or Psychiatrist can prescribe medication for ADHD. Psychologists and other mental health professionals can assess ADHD but they are not able to diagnose the disorder. A Psychiatrist or specialist nurse will be able to recommend an appropriate treatment for ADHD, which may include lifestyle changes, medication or psychological intervention.MedicationWith the increasing awareness of ADHD increasing numbers of people are seeking treatment for their symptoms. The NHS is struggling to meet the demands. This is particularly true for adult ADHD assessments that can take up to weeks to complete. Fortunately, there are private clinics that provide rapid and efficient assessments for adults with ADHD. These clinics offer a complete ADHD assessment, which includes written diagnosis. They will also prescribe medication in the event of need.The BBC's Panorama program recently exposed a number of private health clinics awarding inappropriate ADHD diagnoses in the UK. These clinics profit from the rising demand for ADHD diagnoses and treatments. However, this doesn't mean that people suffering from ADHD should not seek medical attention. It is crucial to remember that the condition can be severe and affects a variety of areas of daily life. Untreated ADHD can cut life expectancy by 12.7 years(2).Being diagnosed with ADHD isn't always easy, especially if your GP is unwilling to refer you or has preconceived ideas about what the disorder is. Despite the growing awareness about the disorder, these biases are still present and can make it difficult for people to receive the correct diagnosis. Additionally, it is crucial to realize that just because you are paying for healthcare does not make it OK to bend the rules. Your healthcare provider should adhere to NICE guidelines when diagnosing ADHD.If your doctor is unwilling to refer you for ADHD assessment or treatment, then you may consult an individual psychiatrist. He will evaluate you and prescribe medication if necessary. The psychiatrist will also conduct a medical interview with you to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life. The psychiatrist will ask questions regarding your past and family mental health issues to assess the severity of your ADHD symptoms.A complete ADHD report will be included in the assessment and will be delivered directly to your GP. It can also be used as evidence to back claims for reasonable adjustments at work or Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) for students.