ADHD Video Call Diagnosis - A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds
Patients are being diagnosed with ADHD and given powerful medications following unreliable video call assessments in private clinics as an BBC Panorama investigation has found. The undercover investigation was conducted after tip-offs and dozens of patients and whistleblowers have been spoken to.
Many people are forced to pay for private assessments due to the NHS waiting list. But is it really effective?
Why do I require a private diagnostic?
If you suspect that you or someone you know has ADHD, it's important to find a specialist who can assess your condition and provide you with the proper treatment. Many people choose to use the NHS but a private diagnosis is often more precise and can save time and money.
There are concerns about the capacity of the NHS to meet the current demands for adhd diagnosis in adults assessments. Patients are forced to wait weeks or months for an appointment. This can be very difficult for those affected. Many people think that the NHS assessment services are not as effective as they could be.
In the face of these challenges, it's not surprising that more adults are opting to undergo a private assessment. However the BBC Panorama investigation has raised serious concerns about the standard of care at some private clinics. The undercover program reported that some clinics had rushed through assessments over the phone and told patients they were ADHD even though they were not.
A private assessment will typically begin with a set of screening questionnaires you are asked to fill out and submit to the clinician. The screenings are designed to determine if you have symptoms of ADHD and are standardised. These results help the clinician decide if you should attend an appointment for diagnosis.
The doctor will then review your medical background and family history as and the effects of ADHD symptoms on your daily life. They will also carry out physical and cognitive tests. You will be diagnosed with ADHD based on your situation and given a treatment program.
Once you have been diagnosed with ADHD The doctor will write to your GP with a request for a 'shared care agreement'. This allows you to continue to receive NHS medication, while only paying the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private clinician to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy, should it be necessary.
What is the outcome if I fail to get a diagnosis?
A correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can make a big difference in the case of ADHD. The NHS can be slow and frustrating when it comes down to diagnosing ADHD. Many adults are unable to endure this long and go to private specialists for their evaluation. This can save you time and frustration, but it is important to keep in mind that it doesn't guarantee an accurate diagnosis.
A professional with experience diagnosing ADHD can provide more detailed evaluations than a psychiatrist from the NHS. This can include a medical examination and tests such as hearing and vision. It will also include check-lists and questionnaires. The person who conducts the assessment will also ask you about your family medical and social history and your symptoms. They may also use standard ADHD scales for rating, and may ask your teachers or caregivers to rate you.
When evaluating adults with ADHD, the healthcare professional will look for five or more symptoms over a period of 6 months that are severe enough to cause disruption in work or home life. They will also check if these symptoms are caused by other mental disorders. Depression and anxiety, for instance can trigger signs similar to those seen in ADHD. They will also assess your social and work history to rule out any issues like financial hardship, a history of abuse, and alcohol or drug abuse.
During the NHS assessment the psychiatrist or other healthcare professional will tell you if they believe that you don't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. You can ask for another assessment if you disagree with their decision.
People who receive a private diagnosis of ADHD can choose to share this with their GP, and the GP can then refer them to shared management under the NHS. This is the way that some adults who have been getting diagnosed for adhd with ADHD receive medications. Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medications because they don't have a specialization in the condition or because it's costly.
What do I do if I don't agree with my diagnosis?
It's worth remembering that your clinician should be considerate and understanding of your concerns and feelings. They will know that unmanaged ADHD can cause serious problems for families and individuals. If your clinician disagrees with the diagnosis, they might suggest alternative treatments and diagnoses that are more appropriate for you.
If your physician finds that you don't meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis and they provide the reasons for this. It may be due to your inability to provide enough details about your difficulties or because they believe another condition explains your characteristics (symptoms) better than ADHD. If you're unhappy with the outcome you may seek a second opinion from a different doctor or go through the NHS complaints procedure.
Whether you go private or take advantage of NHS services, the wait time for an assessment could be lengthy, and it's worth considering that your clinician may find the process difficult. The NHS is stretched to its limits and this isn't the fault of the individuals affected.
GPs also struggle to navigate the complex diagnosis process for ADHD, autism (and neurodivergence in general). They must ensure that they offer a high-quality service that is safe and fair, and meet the requirements of shared care prescribing set out by the GMC.
The Panorama expose has revealed that private clinics are using shortcut diagnostic methods and this could put people at risk. This is a national issue and a compelling reason to look at alternatives.
It is also important to remember that the stigma attached to being diagnosed as ADHD can make it difficult for certain people to receive the diagnosis. This is especially true if they are of minority ethnicity or born female or have other health and social situations that could affect how is adult adhd diagnosed medical professionals interpret the symptoms they present.
We can help if you find your life negatively affected by unmanaged ADHD symptoms. Our clinicians have experience in diagnosing ADHD and can provide support and treatment for your issues. You can schedule an appointment via our website or give us an email to find out what we can do to assist you.
What is the next step if I don't wish to take medication?
If you are concerned about ADHD symptoms but don't want to take medication, it's possible to get adhd diagnosis a diagnosis without taking medication. The NHS provides an adult add diagnosis (Full Guide) ADHD assessment service and you can request an appointment with your GP to be evaluated at one of the centers for specialists in England, or through the 'Right To Choose' pathway which is quicker.
Your appointment will consist of an online questionnaire, a clinical interview, and the completion of certain validated assessments. This will allow your clinician to determine how you are affected by these symptoms and the impact they have on your daily activities. The clinician will look at your previous experiences as well as your family history. It is important to provide accurate and truthful responses.
If the clinician determines that you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD If they determine that you meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, they will provide you with a diagnosis. You will also be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of using medication. It is crucial to think about the consequences of taking any medication before making the decision. This is because the effects of medication are long-lasting and could have serious side-effects if not taken properly.
The psychiatrist will provide you with the prescription and a plan if you decide to take a medication. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the length of time you have been experiencing them, it could be recommended to take ADHD medication for a long period of time. It is important to also be aware of other non-pharmacological ways to manage ADHD symptoms. These include diet, exercise, and cognitive behavior therapy.
The BBC Panorama 'expose' of private clinics diagnosing ADHD has generated much controversy, particularly because it suggests that people are misdiagnosed due to inadequate assessment of their clinical needs. We're not sure that this doesn't happen because we are inexact, and psychiatry only a flimsy science. If you are experiencing ADHD symptoms, but are frustrated by the NHS waiting times, it might be a good idea to pay for an assessment.