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ADHD Video Call Diagnosis – A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds BBC Panorama found that patients are diagnosed with ADHD in private clinics and prescribed strong medications after video calls that are not reliable. The undercover investigation was carried out following tip-offs and dozens patients and whistleblowers have been spoken to. Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean that many patients are forced to pay for a private examination. But is it really working? Why do I need an individual diagnostic? If you believe that you or someone you know suffers from ADHD, it's important to find a professional who can assess your health and provide the proper treatment. Although many people opt to use the NHS but private diagnosis may be more effective and save you time and money in the end. There are concerns that the NHS is struggling to deal with current demands on its services for ADHD assessments. In the end, patients are often waiting weeks or even months for an appointment, which could cause a lot of distress for those affected. Many people also believe that the NHS assessment services aren't as effective as they could be. In the light of these problems, it's not surprising that more people are opting to undergo an assessment by a private doctor. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns about the quality of care offered by some private clinics. The undercover program revealed that some clinics rushed through tests over the phone, and were telling patients that they had ADHD when, in reality, they did not. A private assessment usually begins with a series screening questionnaires that you will be asked to fill out and submit to the clinician. The tests are designed to determine if you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD and are also standardised. The results will aid the doctor in deciding whether or not you need to attend an appointment for a full diagnosis. The clinician will then conduct an in-depth examination of your medical and family background, as well as how the symptoms of ADHD are impacting your life. The clinician will also perform physical examinations and cognitive test. Based on your situation you will be diagnosed with ADHD and given a detailed treatment plan. After you are diagnosed with ADHD Your doctor will send documents to your GP to request a shared-care agreement. This allows you to continue receiving NHS medication while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private doctor to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy should it be required. What is the outcome if I fail to get a diagnosis? how to get an adult adhd diagnosis and the right treatment can make a big difference in the case of ADHD. However, the NHS process for diagnosing ADHD is lengthy and difficult. Some adults are unable to wait that long and instead turn to private professionals for an assessment. This could save you time and stress, but it is important to note that it doesn't guarantee an accurate diagnosis. A professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD can offer a more thorough diagnosis than an NHS psychiatrist. This can include a physical examination as well as tests such as hearing and vision. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis could include check-lists and questionnaires. The person who conducts the assessment will also inquire about your family medical and social history as well as your symptoms. They could also use the standard ADHD ratings scales, and may want to request your teachers or caregivers for ratings, too. When assessing adult ADHD the healthcare professional will look for five or more signs that have been present for at least six months and that are severe enough to cause disruption in work or family life. They will also look at whether these symptoms are due to mental health issues in other ways. For instance, depression or anxiety can cause ADHD-like symptoms. They will also review your social and professional history to rule out problems such as financial hardships, abuse histories, and drinking and drug addiction. During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional will inform you if they believe that you don't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. They will explain their reasoning and you may request a second assessment if you disagree with their decision. If you are diagnosed of ADHD privately may choose to discuss the diagnosis with their GP. The GP can then refer the person to share management via the NHS. This is the way that some adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD receive medications. However, GPs have been recognized as being reluctant to prescribe ADHD medication due to the fact that they do not specialise in the disorder and because it's expensive. What happens if I don't agree with my diagnosis? Remember that your clinician must be respectful and sympathetic to your concerns and feelings. They'll understand that untreated ADHD symptoms can cause significant problems for families and individuals. If your doctor isn't satisfied with the diagnosis, he or she might be able to suggest alternative treatments and diagnoses that are more suitable for you. If your clinician decides you don't meet the criteria to be considered a case of ADHD They will then explain the reason. It could be due to the fact that you didn't provide enough details about your struggles or they believe another condition explains your characteristics (symptoms) better than ADHD. If you are not happy with this choice, you can ask for an alternative opinion from a different doctor or submit your complaint to the NHS complaints procedure. No matter if you opt for private or access NHS services waiting times for an assessment could be long and it's worth pondering the possibility that your physician might find the process frustrating. This isn't because of the patients involved, but rather due to the fact that NHS service provision is stretched to the limits. GPs are also having difficulty navigating the complicated process of diagnosing ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence more generally). They must be sure they offer a high-quality service that is safe and fair, and also meet the requirements of shared care prescribing as outlined by the GMC. The Panorama expose has revealed that some private clinics are using short cut diagnostic methods and this could put people at risk. This is a tragedy for the entire country and an excellent reason to look at alternatives. It is important to remember that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult for some people to receive a diagnosis. This is especially true when the person is a member of a minority group or was a female at birth, or has other health and social circumstances that can influence how medical professionals view their symptoms. If you are struggling with unmanaged ADHD symptoms and feel your life is negatively impacted, we're here to help. Our specialists are skilled in identifying ADHD and can offer support and treatment to address your issues. Contact us today or make an appointment online to discuss how we can assist you. What is the next step if I don't wish to take a medication? You can receive a diagnosis if you're concerned about ADHD symptoms but don't wish to take medication. The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service. You can request an appointment from your doctor to be evaluated at one of the specialist centres in England or by the 'Right to choose' pathway which is a lot faster. Your appointment will consist of a validated assessment and a consultation with a clinician and an online questionnaire. This will help your physician determine the way these symptoms affect you and the impact they have on your daily routine. The doctor will take into consideration your previous experiences as well as your family history. It is important to provide truthful and accurate information. If the physician determines that you meet all of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, they will be in a position to give you an diagnosis. You will be asked if would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. Before making a decision it is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using a medication. This is because the effects of medication can be long-term and may be harmful if taken in a proper manner. The doctor will issue you the prescription and a plan should you choose to take medication. Depending on the severity your symptoms and the duration of time you've been experiencing them, it could be recommended that you take ADHD medication for a longer period of time. However, it is also important to remember that there are alternatives to medication to help manage ADHD symptoms, like exercise, diet and cognitive behavior therapy. The BBC Panorama “expose” of private clinics that treat ADHD has caused controversy, in particular because it suggests that people are being misdiagnosed as the result of inadequate clinical assessments. We're hesitant to claim that this isn't the case since humans are incredibly inexact and psychiatry is not a science at all. However, if you're suffering from ADHD symptoms and you are being disappointed by the NHS wait times, then it may be a good idea to take out a private assessment.