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ADHD Video Call Diagnosis – A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed powerful medications following unreliable video call assessments in private clinics as an BBC Panorama investigation has found. The undercover investigation was carried out following tip-offs, and dozens of patients and whistleblowers were spoken to. Many people are required to pay for private assessments due to the NHS waiting list. But does it actually work? Why do ADHD Diagnosis need an appointment with a private doctor? If you or someone you love has ADHD It is important to find a doctor who can accurately diagnose the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment. While many people may choose to use the NHS however, a private diagnosis can often be more efficient and can save you both time and money in the long run. There are concerns that the NHS is struggling to deal with current demands on its services for ADHD assessments. Patients have to wait for weeks or months to get an appointment. This can be very difficult for those affected. Many people also believe that the NHS assessment services are not as effective as they could be. It's not surprising, therefore, that more adults choose to have a private assessment. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns about the quality of care provided by private clinics. The undercover program reported that some clinics rushed through assessments over the phone and claimed that patients were ADHD even though they were not. A private assessment will usually start with a series of screening questions that you must fill out and submit to your doctor. The screenings are designed to see if you have symptoms of ADHD and are standardised. The results of these tests help the doctor determine if you are a candidate for an appointment to diagnose. The doctor will then conduct an in-depth review of your family and medical background, as well as how the symptoms of ADHD affect your daily life. They will also conduct a physical examination and cognitive tests. You will be diagnosed with ADHD based on your situation and given a treatment program. If you're diagnosed with ADHD, your clinician will forward documentation to your GP for a shared care agreement. This permits you to continue receiving NHS medication while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also consult your personal doctor to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy, in the event that it is needed. What happens if I don't get an appointment? In the case of ADHD, a clear diagnosis and the right treatment can make a huge difference. However the NHS process for diagnosing ADHD can be long and difficult. Some adults can't wait this long and turn to private specialists for their evaluation. This can save you time and frustration, but it is important to remember that it does not guarantee an accurate diagnosis. A professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD can offer a more thorough diagnosis than an NHS psychiatrist. This may include a physical examination and tests like hearing and vision. It will also involve checklists and questionnaires. The person conducting the test will also ask about your family background and social and medical history and will also inquire about your symptoms. They might also use standard ADHD rating scales and may be able to ask your teachers or caregivers for their ratings, too. When assessing adult ADHD the doctor will look for five or more signs that have been present for at least six months and are severe enough to affect the family or work environment. They will also determine whether these symptoms are due to other mental health disorders. Depression and anxiety, for example can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. They will also evaluate your social and professional history to rule out issues like financial difficulties or abuse history, as well as drug and alcohol misuse. During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional will tell you if they think that you don't meet the criteria to be considered a sufferer of ADHD. You can ask for another assessment if you disagree with their decision. People who receive a diagnosis of ADHD privately may choose to share it with their GP. The GP can then refer the person back for shared management through the NHS. Adults who have been diagnosed as ADHD are able to access medications in this manner. However, GPs are known to be reluctant to prescribe ADHD medication due to the fact that they are not experts in the disorder and because it is expensive. What if I disagree with my diagnosis? Remember that your therapist must be tolerant and respectful to your feelings and concerns. They will know that unmanaged ADHD can cause major problems for families and individuals. If your physician isn't in agreement with the diagnosis, they might be able to suggest other treatment options or diagnoses that might be more appropriate for you. If your physician decides that you don't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD They will then explain why. It may be due to your inability to give enough detail about your difficulties or because they believe that a different condition can explain your traits (symptoms) more effectively than ADHD. If you're not happy with this choice, you can ask for an additional opinion from a different physician or take your case to the NHS complaints procedure. Whether you go private or access NHS care the wait time for an assessment can be lengthy and it's important to consider the possibility that your physician might find the process frustrating. This is not because of the individuals involved, but rather due to the fact that NHS service delivery is stretched to the limits. GPs also struggle to navigate the complex diagnosis process for ADHD as well as autism (and neurodivergence generally). They must make sure they provide a reliable and safe, fair and fair service and that they comply with the requirements of the GMC for sharing care prescribing. Panorama's exposé has revealed that private clinics use quick diagnostic techniques, which can put patients in danger. This is a national scourge and a valid reason to consider alternative options. It is also worth noting that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it more difficult for certain people to be given the diagnosis. This is particularly true if the person is a member of a minority group or was a female when they were born. birth or has any other health or social issues that can influence the way medical professionals perceive their symptoms. If you're suffering from untreated ADHD symptoms and feel your life is negatively impacted, we're here to help. Our clinicians are experienced in identifying ADHD and can offer support and treatment to help you overcome your issues. You can request an appointment via our website or give us phone to discuss how we might be able to assist you. What is the consequence if I don't want to take medication? If you are worried about ADHD symptoms but do not wish to take medication, it's possible to be diagnosed without taking medication. You can get an adult ADHD assessment through the NHS. You could ask your GP to refer you to one of the centers for specialists in England or go through the “Right to Choose” route, which is more efficient. Your appointment will consist of an authenticated assessment and a consultation with a clinician and an online questionnaire. This will enable your doctor to determine how you are affected by these symptoms and what impact they affect your daily routine. The clinician will consider your past experiences and your family history. It is essential to provide accurate and truthful answers. If the physician determines that you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD the doctor will be in a position to give you an diagnosis. You will be asked if would like to discuss the possibility of taking a medication. Before deciding it is crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using the medication. This is because the effects of medication are long-lasting and could have serious side-effects if not taken properly. If you decide to use medication, the psychiatrist will provide you with an outline of the treatment and a prescription. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the duration of time you've been suffering from them, it may be recommended to take ADHD medication for a long period of time. However, it's important to keep in mind that there are other options to manage ADHD symptoms, like exercise, diet and cognitive behaviour therapy. The BBC Panorama “expose” of private clinics that treat ADHD has sparked controversy, in particular because it suggests people are being misdiagnosed as the result of insufficient assessment of the clinical condition. We hesitate to claim that this doesn't happen because humans aren't exact creatures, and psychiatry barely is a science. If you're experiencing ADHD symptoms but are frustrated by the NHS waiting times, it might be beneficial to pay for an assessment.