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ADHD Video Call Diagnosis – A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and given powerful medications following unreliable video call tests at private clinics as an BBC Panorama investigation has found. The undercover investigation was carried out following tip-offs and dozens patients and whistleblowers have been spoken to. Many people are required to pay for private assessments due to the NHS waiting list. But does adhd diagnosis uk adults work? Why do I need a private diagnostic? If you or someone you know has ADHD You should find a doctor who will accurately diagnose the condition and prescribe best treatment. Many people prefer to utilize the NHS but a private diagnosis is usually more accurate and can save both time and money. There are concerns that the NHS is unable to cope with the current demand for its services for ADHD assessments. As a result, patients are waiting for weeks or even months for an appointment, and this can cause significant distress for those suffering. Additionally, many feel that the quality of NHS assessment services isn't quite as high as it should be. It's not surprising, therefore that more adults opt to get a private evaluation. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns about the quality of care provided by some private clinics. The undercover documentary revealed that some clinics were speeding through assessments over the phone and telling patients they were suffering from ADHD even though, in actual they didn't. A private assessment usually begins with a series screening questionnaires that you will be asked to fill out and then submit to your doctor. The screenings are designed to determine if you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD and are standardised. The results will assist the doctor to decide whether or not you should attend an entire diagnostic appointment. The physician will then conduct an in-depth review of your family and medical background, as well as how the symptoms of ADHD are impacting your life. The doctor will also conduct a physical exam and cognitive tests. Based on your specific circumstances you will then be diagnosed with ADHD and given a detailed treatment plan. If you're diagnosed with ADHD your doctor will forward paperwork to your GP for a shared care agreement. This will allow you to continue to receive NHS medication (only paying the NHS prescription charge) while also seeing your private clinician for ongoing appointments and CBT therapy if needed. What is the outcome if I don't receive a diagnosis? If you suffer from ADHD, a clear diagnosis and treatment plan can make a huge difference. The NHS can be slow and frustrating when it comes to diagnosing ADHD. Some adults are unable to wait that long and look for private doctors to assess their situation. This could save you time and stress, but it is important to keep in mind that it doesn't guarantee an accurate diagnosis. A professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD will be able to provide a more thorough assessment than an NHS psychiatrist. This may include a medical examination as well as tests such as hearing and vision. It may also include questionnaires and checklists. The person conducting the assessment will also ask about your family background and medical and social history, in addition to asking about your symptoms. They may also use standard ADHD scales for rating and may also ask your caregivers or teachers to evaluate you. When assessing adult ADHD Healthcare professionals will be looking for five or more signs over a period of 6 months that are severe enough to cause disruption in the demands of work or at home. They will also look at whether these symptoms are due to mental health issues in other ways. Depression and anxiety, for instance can trigger signs similar to those seen in ADHD. They will also review your work and social history to rule out any issues like financial hardship or the history of abuse and drug or alcohol misuse. During your NHS assessment, you will be told by a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional if you do not fit the criteria for ADHD. You may request a re- assessment if you disagree with their conclusion. If you are diagnosed of ADHD privately can decide to share it with their GP. The GP can then refer the patient back to share management via the NHS. Adults who have been diagnosed as ADHD can get medication this way. Some GPs are hesitant to prescribe ADHD medications because they don't have a specialization in the condition or because it's costly. What happens If adhd diagnosis uk adults don't like my diagnosis? Remember that your doctor must be tolerant and respectful to your concerns and feelings. They will know that unmanaged ADHD can cause major problems for families and individuals. If your doctor isn't satisfied with the diagnosis, he or she might be able to suggest alternative treatment options that are more appropriate for you. If your doctor decides that you do not meet the criteria needed to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD They will then explain why. It could be due to your inability to provide enough details about your struggles or they believe another condition explains your behavior (symptoms) more effectively than ADHD. If you're not happy with this choice you may seek an alternative opinion from a different clinician or refer your case to the NHS complaints procedure. If you choose to go private or use NHS healthcare, the wait time for an assessment could be lengthy, and it's worth pondering the possibility that your physician might find the process frustrating. This is not because of the patients affected, but rather because NHS services are stretched to its limits. GPs are also having difficulty navigating the complicated diagnosis process for ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence as a whole). They must be sure they offer a high-quality service that is safe and fair, and meet the prescriptions for shared care set out by the GMC. Unfortunately, Panorama's expose has revealed that some private clinics are using short cut diagnostic approaches and this can put people at risk. This is a national scandal and a valid reason to consider alternative options. It is also important to note that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it harder for certain people to receive the diagnosis. This is especially true when they are of minority ethnicity, assigned female at birth or have other social and health circumstances that can affect how medical professionals assess the symptoms they have. If you are struggling with unmanaged ADHD symptoms and feel that your life is being negatively impacted, we're here to assist. Our specialists have experience diagnosing ADHD, and can provide assistance and treatment for your difficulties. You can make an appointment via our website or give us an email to find out what we can do to help. What happens if I don't want to take medication? If you are worried about ADHD symptoms but don't want to take medication, it's possible to get a diagnosis without a prescription. The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service. You can request an appointment from your doctor to be assessed at one of the centres for specialist assessment in England, or through the 'Right To Choose' pathway which is quicker. Your appointment will include an online questionnaire, a clinic interview, and the completion of some validated tests. This will help your physician to assess how you are affected by these symptoms and the effect they have on your daily activities. The clinician will also consider your past experiences and family history. It is crucial to give accurate and honest answers. If the physician determines that you meet all of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD the doctor will be in a position to give you an diagnosis. You will be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. It is important to think about the potential consequences of taking any medication prior to making an informed decision. This is because the effects of medications can be long-term and may be harmful if taken in a proper manner. When you choose to take medication, your psychiatrist will give you the prescription and plan. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, and the amount of time you've been suffering from them, it could be recommended that you take ADHD medication for a longer period of time. However, it's important to keep in mind that there are alternatives to medication to help manage ADHD symptoms, like diet, exercise and cognitive behavior therapy. The BBC Panorama 'expose' of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has generated much controversy especially because it suggests that people are misdiagnosed due to inadequate clinical assessments. We hesitate to say this isn't the case because we aren't exact creatures, and psychiatry rarely is a science. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms and are disappointed by the NHS wait times, it can make sense to take out a private assessment.