ADHD Video Call Diagnosis - A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds

Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and given powerful drugs following unreliable video assessments at private clinics as a BBC Panorama investigation has found. The undercover investigation was conducted following tip-offs and dozens patients and whistleblowers were spoken to.

Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean that a lot of people have no choice but to pay for a private assessment. But is it really working?

Why do I require an appointment with a private doctor?

If you or someone you know has ADHD It is important to seek out a professional who will accurately diagnose your condition and prescribe the best treatment. Many people prefer to utilize the NHS however a private diagnosis is often more accurate and can save time and money.

There are concerns regarding the ability of the NHS to meet the current demands 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 suffering. Additionally, many believe that the quality of NHS assessment services isn't quite as high as it should be.

In the face of these challenges it's not surprising that more adults are opting to go for an assessment by a private doctor. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns about the quality of care offered by private clinics. The undercover show revealed that some clinics rushed through assessments over the telephone and claimed that patients were ADHD when they were not.

A private examination will typically begin with a series of screening questionnaires you will be asked to complete and return to the clinician. The tests are designed to determine whether you are suffering from symptoms of ADHD and are standardised. The results can be used to aid the doctor in deciding whether or not you should attend an entire diagnostic appointment.

The doctor will then conduct a detailed review of your medical and family background, as well as how the symptoms of ADHD are impacting your life. They will also carry out physical and cognitive tests. Based on your specific circumstances you will be diagnosed with ADHD and given an outline treatment plan.

If you're diagnosed with ADHD, your clinician will forward paperwork to your GP to sign a shared care agreement. This allows you to continue receiving NHS medication, while only paying the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private doctor to keep up with appointments and receive CBT therapy, if required.

What is the outcome if I don't receive a diagnosis?

A correct diagnosis and the proper treatment can make a huge difference in the case of ADHD. However, the NHS method of diagnosing ADHD is lengthy and difficult. Some adults are unable to wait that long to seek out private providers to determine their condition. This can save you time and frustration, but it is important to keep in mind that it is not a guarantee of an accurate diagnosis.

A specialist with experience diagnosing ADHD can provide a more thorough assessment than an NHS psychiatrist. This could include a physical exam and tests, such as hearing and vision. It will also involve checklists and questionnaires. The person conducting the evaluation will also ask you about your family, medical and social histories as well as your symptoms. They might also use standardized ADHD rating scales and may want to request your teachers or caregivers for ratings, too.

When assessing adults with ADHD the healthcare professional will look for five or more symptoms that have been present for at least six months and that are severe enough to affect work or family life. They will also consider whether the symptoms are related to any other mental health conditions. For instance, depression or anxiety can cause ADHD-like symptoms. They will also look at your professional and social history to rule out problems such as financial hardships and abuse histories as well as drinking and drug addiction.

During your NHS assessment during your NHS assessment, you will be informed by a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional if you don't fit the criteria for ADHD. They will explain their reasoning and you are able to request a new assessment if you disagree with their decision.

People who receive an official diagnosis of ADHD can choose to share this with their GP and the GP can send them back for shared management under the NHS. This is how some adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD get access to medications. Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medications due to the fact that they don't have a specialization in the condition or because it's expensive.

What do I do if I don't agree with my diagnosis?

It is important to remember that your doctor must be considerate and understanding of your feelings and concerns. They will understand that unmanaged ADHD symptoms can cause significant difficulties for people and families. If your physician isn't in agreement with the diagnosis, they may be able to suggest alternative treatment options or diagnoses that might be more suitable for you.

If your physician decides that you don't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD They will then explain the reason. It may be due to your inability to provide enough information about your struggles or they believe that a different condition can explain your traits (symptoms) better than ADHD. If you're not satisfied with the outcome you can seek a second opinion from a different clinician or follow the NHS complaints procedure.

If you choose to go private or use NHS healthcare waiting times for an assessment could be lengthy and it's worth pondering that your clinician might find the process frustrating. The NHS is stretched to its limits and this isn't the fault of the individuals involved.

GPs also face challenges in navigating the complex diagnosis process for ADHD as well as autism (and neurodivergence generally). They must be sure they provide a quality service that is safe and fair, and also meet the prescriptions for shared care that are set by the GMC.

Unfortunately, Panorama's expose has revealed that private clinics are using a shortened diagnostic techniques and this could put patients at risk. This is a tragedy for the entire country and a real reason to consider alternative options.

It is important to remember that the stigma of being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult for some people to be given an assessment. This is particularly true if the person is a member of a minority group or was a female at birth or has other social and health issues which can affect the way medical professionals perceive their symptoms.

If you're suffering from unmanaged ADHD symptoms and feel that your life is being negatively impacted, we are here to assist. Our specialists are skilled in diagnosing ADHD and are able to provide support and treatment for your difficulties. You can schedule an appointment on our website or give us a an email to find out how we might be able to assist you.

What happens if you don't want me take my medication?

You can get a diagnosis in case you're worried about ADHD symptoms, but don't want to take medication. The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service. You can request an appointment with your GP to be assessed at one of the centres for specialist assessment in England, or through the 'Right to Choose' pathway, which is much quicker.

Your appointment will consist of an online questionnaire, a clinical interview and the completion of some validated tests. This will help your physician to assess how you are affected by these symptoms check here and what impact they affect your daily routine. The clinician will look at your experiences in the past and your family history. It is essential that you give accurate and truthful responses.

If the doctor determines that you meet all of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and 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 deciding it is crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages of taking the medication. This is because the effects of medications can be long-term and may cause serious adverse side effects if taken properly.

If you decide to use medication, the psychiatrist will give you a plan and a prescription. Based on the severity of your symptoms, and the length of time you have been experiencing them, it may be recommended to take ADHD medication for a longer period of time. However, it is also important to keep in mind that there are non-pharmacological options to manage ADHD symptoms, like exercise, diet and cognitive behavior therapy.

The BBC Panorama "expose" of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has caused controversy, particularly because it suggests people are being misdiagnosed as a result of insufficient evaluations of clinical conditions. We are reticent to say that this doesn't happen, because humans are awfully inexact and psychiatry is not a science at all. However, if you're suffering from ADHD symptoms and are being disappointed by the NHS wait times, then it may be a good idea to get an assessment with a private practitioner.