ADHD Video Call Diagnosis - A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds

BBC Panorama found that patients are diagnosed with ADHD in private clinics and prescribed powerful medications following unreliable video conversations. The undercover investigation was carried out following tip-offs and dozens patients and whistleblowers have been spoken to.

Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean that a lot of patients are forced to pay for a private assessment. But does it work?

Why do I need an individual diagnosis?

If you think you or someone you know has ADHD, it's important to find a professional who can accurately assess your condition and provide you with the appropriate treatment. While many people may choose to go with the NHS but an individual diagnosis can be more efficient and can save you time and money in the long run.

There are concerns that the NHS is struggling to cope with the demands of current services for ADHD assessments. Patients are often waiting for weeks or even months for an appointment, which can cause significant distress for those suffering. Additionally, many feel that the quality of NHS assessment services is not quite as high as it should be.

In the light of these problems it's not a surprise that more adults are opting to undergo an assessment by a private doctor. However, the BBC Panorama investigation has raised serious concerns about the standard of care provided by some private clinics. The undercover programme reported that some clinics were rushing through tests over the phone, and were telling patients they were suffering from ADHD when, in reality they didn't.

A private examination will typically start with a series of screening questionnaires that you are asked to complete and return to the clinician. The tests are designed to determine if you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD and are also standardised. The results of these tests help the doctor decide if it is appropriate to schedule an appointment to diagnose.

The clinician will then conduct a thorough review of your medical and family history, as well as how the symptoms of ADHD affect your daily life. The clinician will also perform an examination of your body and cognitive tests. You will be diagnosed with ADHD according to your specific situation and given a treatment program.

If you are diagnosed with ADHD and the doctor will write to your GP with a form to sign a'shared care contract'. This allows you to continue receiving NHS medication while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private doctor to keep up with appointments and receive CBT therapy in the event that it is needed.

What happens if I don't have an answer to my question?

A good diagnosis and the proper treatment can make a massive difference in the case of ADHD. The NHS can be slow and difficult when it comes to diagnosing ADHD. Many adults are unable to wait this long and turn to private providers for their evaluation. This can save time and stress, but it's important to realize that this isn't necessarily a guarantee of an accurate diagnosis.

A professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD can give a more thorough evaluation than an NHS psychiatrist. This may include a medical examination as well as tests like hearing or vision. This will include checklists and questionnaires. The person who is conducting the test will also ask you about your family, medical and social histories and your symptoms. They may also use standard ADHD rating scales and may also ask your teachers or caregivers to give you a score.

When assessing adult ADHD, the healthcare professional will look for five or more symptoms within a period of six months that are severe enough to cause disruption in work or home life. They will also look at whether these symptoms are due to other mental health disorders. Depression and anxiety, for example, can cause ADHD-like signs. They will also look at your professional and social background to rule out potential issues like financial difficulties or abuse history, as well as drug and alcohol misuse.

During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional will tell you if they believe you don't meet the criteria needed to qualify for a diagnosis check here of ADHD. You can request a second assessment if they disagree with their decision.

Individuals who have a private diagnosis of ADHD can choose to share this with their GP, and the GP can then refer them to shared management through the NHS. This is how many adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD get access to medications. However, GPs have been often hesitant to prescribe ADHD medication due to the fact that they do not specialise in the condition and also because it's costly.

What happens when I don't agree with my diagnosis?

Remember that your doctor must be respectful and sympathetic to your concerns and feelings. They'll be aware that untreated ADHD symptoms can cause significant problems for families and individuals. If your physician isn't in agreement with the diagnosis, they might be able to suggest other treatments or diagnoses that may be more suitable for you.

If your physician finds that you don't meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they will give the reasons. It could be because you did not provide enough information about your difficulties or because they believe another condition explains your characteristics (symptoms) more effectively than ADHD. If you're not happy with the decision you may seek a second opinion from another clinician or use the NHS complaints procedure.

It is important to be aware that your physician might find the process of assessing challenging, whether you opt for private care or NHS care. This isn't due to the patients affected, but rather because NHS service delivery is stretched to the limit.

GPs also face challenges in navigating the complex diagnosis process for ADHD as well as autism (and neurodivergence as a whole). They must ensure that they are offering a robust service that is both safe and fair, and also meet the requirements of shared care prescribing as outlined by the GMC.

The Panorama exposé has revealed that private clinics employ techniques for diagnosing problems that are not as thorough, and can put people in danger. This is a national catastrophe and a valid reason to consider alternatives.

It is also important to remember that the stigma attached to being diagnosed as ADHD can make it difficult for certain people receive the diagnosis. This is especially true if they are of minority ethnicity or were born female or have other social or health situations that could affect how medical professionals evaluate the symptoms they exhibit.

If you are struggling with untreated ADHD symptoms and feel your life is being negatively impacted, we're here to assist. Our clinicians have experience in diagnosing ADHD and can offer support and treatment for your difficulties. You can call us or request an appointment online to find out what we can do to help.

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

If you are worried about ADHD symptoms but do not want to take medication, it is possible to get a diagnosis without the need for medication. The NHS provides an adult ADHD assessment service. You can request an appointment with your GP to be evaluated at one of the centres for specialist assessment in England or via the 'Right to choose route which is a lot faster.

Your appointment will include a validated assessment, a clinical interview, and an online questionnaire. This will allow your doctor to know the way these symptoms affect you and their impact on your daily routine. The clinician will look at your previous experiences as well as your family history. It is important that you provide accurate and truthful responses.

If the clinician determines that you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD If they determine that you meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, they will give you an assessment. You will be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. Before deciding it is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of taking the medication. This is because the effects of medications are long-lasting and could cause serious adverse side effects if taken properly.

The psychiatrist will give you a prescription and a plan if you decide to take medication. You may be prescribed ADHD medication for a lengthy period of time, depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long you've experienced these symptoms for. However, it is also important to remember that there are other options to manage ADHD symptoms, like exercise, diet and cognitive behaviour therapy.

The BBC Panorama 'expose' of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has generated much controversy especially because it suggests that patients are being misdiagnosed as a result of inadequate assessment of their clinical needs. We're not sure that this doesn't happen, because humans are awfully inexact, and psychiatry barely a science. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms and are being disappointed by the NHS wait times, it can make sense to pay for an assessment with a private practitioner.