ADHD Video Call Diagnosis - A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds
BBC Panorama found that patients are diagnosed with ADHD in private clinics and are prescribed powerful drugs after unreliable video calls. The undercover investigation was conducted after tip-offs and dozens of patients and whistleblowers were listened to.
Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean that a lot of patients are forced to pay for a private exam. But does it work?
Why do I need an individual diagnosis?
If you believe that you or someone you know has ADHD It is essential to find a specialist who can accurately assess your health and provide the necessary treatment. Many people prefer to utilize the NHS however an individual diagnosis is often more accurate and can save time and money.
There are concerns that the NHS is struggling to deal with the current demand for its services for ADHD assessments. Patients are forced to wait months or even weeks for an appointment. This can be very difficult for those affected. Many people also feel that the NHS assessment services aren't as good as they could be.
It's not surprising, then that more adults opt to have a private assessment. However, the BBC Panorama investigation has raised grave concerns about the quality of care at some private clinics. The undercover program revealed that some clinics were rushing through assessments over the phone and told patients they had ADHD even though, in actual they didn't.
A private assessment typically begins with a series of screening questions, which you will be asked to fill out and send to the doctor. The screenings are standardised and designed to determine whether you have symptoms of ADHD. These results are used to aid the doctor in deciding whether or not to attend an entire diagnostic appointment.
The doctor will then conduct an in-depth review of your family and medical history, and how the symptoms of ADHD affect your daily life. They will also carry out a physical examination and cognitive test. You will be diagnosed with ADHD in light of your circumstances and given a treatment plan.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD, the clinician will send a letter to your GP with a request for a 'shared care agreement'. This permits you to continue to receive NHS medications while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private clinician to keep track of appointments and receive CBT therapy if necessary.
What happens if I don't have an answer to my question?
A good diagnosis and the right 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. Some adults are unable to wait that long and look for private doctors to determine their situation. This can help save time and frustration but it's important to understand that this isn't necessarily an assurance of a correct diagnosis.
A professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD can provide a more thorough assessment than an NHS psychiatrist. This can include a medical exam and tests such as hearing or vision. This could include check-lists and questionnaires. The person conducting the assessment will also inquire about your family history, as well as your social and medical history, as well as asking about your symptoms. They could also utilize standard ADHD rating scales and may want to inquire from your caregivers or teachers for ratings, too.
When evaluating adult ADHD, the healthcare professional will look for five or more symptom within a period of six months that are severe enough to cause disruption in the demands of work or at home. They will also check whether these symptoms are caused by other mental disorders. For IamPsychiatry , depression and anxiety can trigger ADHD-like symptoms. They will also look at your social and professional history to rule out problems such as financial hardships and abuse histories as well as alcohol and drug abuse.
During your NHS assessment during your NHS assessment, you will be informed by a psychiatrist or a 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 are not satisfied with their decision.
If you have a private diagnosis of ADHD may decide to discuss the diagnosis 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 diagnosed with ADHD are able to access medication. However, doctors have been often hesitant to prescribe ADHD medication because they are not experts in the disorder and because it's expensive.
What happens If I don't like my diagnosis?
Remember that your clinician must be respectful and sympathetic to your feelings and concerns. They will understand that unmanaged ADHD symptoms can cause significant problems for families and individuals. If your physician isn't happy with the diagnosis, he or she might be able to 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 give the reasons. You may have not given enough details about your struggles or they may think that another condition better explains your symptoms (traits). If you're not happy with the decision you can seek a second opinion from another clinician or go through the NHS complaints process.
It is important to be aware that your physician may find the assessment process frustrating, whether you choose private care or NHS care. The NHS is overstretched and this isn't the fault of the people affected.
GPs also struggle to navigate the complex process of diagnosing ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence in general). They must make sure they provide a reliable safe, fair and secure service and that they meet the GMC's requirements for sharing care prescribing.
Unfortunately, Panorama's expose exposed that private clinics are using shortcut diagnostic methods and this could put patients at risk. This is a national catastrophe and an excellent reason to consider other options.
It is also worth noting that the stigma of being diagnosed with ADHD can make it harder for some people to be given a diagnosis. This is particularly true if the person is of a minority ethnicity or was a female at birth or has any other social and health issues that can influence the way that medical professionals evaluate their symptoms.
We can help if you think your life is affected by unmanaged ADHD symptoms. Our doctors are experts in diagnosing ADHD and can provide assistance and treatment for your issues. You can make an appointment via our website or give us call to see what we can do to assist you.
What is the next step if I don't wish to take medication?
You can get a diagnosis when you're concerned about ADHD symptoms, but don't need to take any medication. The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service. You can request an appointment with your GP to be assessed at one of the centers for specialists in England or by the 'Right to Choose route which is a lot more efficient.
Your appointment will include an authenticated assessment, a clinical interview, and an online questionnaire. This will allow your doctor to understand how 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 to provide honest and truthful information.
If the physician determines that you meet all of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD the doctor will be able to provide you with a diagnosis. You will also be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. It is important to think about the implications of taking any medication before making the decision. This is because the effects of medications can last for a long time and be harmful if taken properly.
When you choose to take medication, your doctor will provide you with a plan and a prescription. You could be given ADHD medication for a prolonged period of time, based on the severity of your symptoms and the length of time you've been experiencing them. It is also important to 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 that diagnose ADHD has generated controversy, in particular because it suggests that people are misdiagnosed as a result inadequate assessment of the clinical condition. We're hesitant to claim that this doesn't happen since humans are incredibly inexact and psychiatry is not a science at all. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms but are annoyed by the NHS waiting times, it may be beneficial to pay for an assessment.