Adult ADHD Assessment in Scotland
ADHD affects the lives of people at home and at work. The right diagnosis can help you to get the support you require.
An accurate diagnosis is important to manage symptoms and allow you to reach your goals at work or university. We provide complete private ADHD assessments for adults in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Signs and symptoms
For many people, the symptoms of ADHD affect their daily lives. These issues can affect social and professional interactions and can cause anxiety and depression. However, getting diagnosed and treated is the first step to living a more enjoyable life. The best treatment plan will assist you in managing your symptoms so they don't hinder your pursuit of your success.
Adults may have difficulty recognizing the symptoms of ADHD. This is why, they are often misunderstood and ignored. Certain symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other disorders like dyslexia or mood disorders. Certain people's issues aren't identified because they can be attributed to age or other health issues.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the symptoms of ADHD are present throughout an adult's life, and so it is necessary to identify symptoms in all settings. For a diagnosis, a person must have at least five persistent traits (symptoms) of inattention and/or five persistent symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, and they must occur in two or more settings.
Request your GP to conduct an assessment in case you suspect your symptoms may be related to. They will refer you to a mental health service to determine if you are a candidate for ADHD. This could be a community-based mental health service or specialist neurodevelopmental services.
The process of assessment can last up to three hours, and includes one-to-one time with psychiatrist. During the appointment the psychiatrist will ask you questions and may want to speak with your family or friends. You will also be asked to complete some questionnaires. It would also be useful to bring any old school reports or letters with you to the test.
If you're diagnosed as having ADHD Your psychiatrist will provide you with an official diagnosis that you can provide to your GP or any other health care professionals involved in your treatment. They will present to you the findings of your evaluation and give you suggestions on how to manage your symptoms. They will also provide you with contact information for local support groups and organisations which can provide assistance and guidance.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of ADHD in adults can be a little more difficult than it is for children and teenagers. The diagnosis is made by an appropriately qualified health professional (usually an Psychiatrist, or Clinical Psychologist). The majority of people suffering from ADHD are referred for assessment by their GP. If your GP doesn't believe you're suffering from ADHD or doesn't want to recommend you, it's worthwhile calling the Scottish ADHD Coalition. They've created a useful support letter that you could print and present to your GP to request a referral.
Once you're recommended by your doctor, they will set up an appointment with a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. The person carrying out the examination will ask you to explain your symptoms and how they affect your daily activities. Then, they will conduct an interview format to determine whether or not you suffer from ADHD. They will also ask you about your family history of mental health problems and any other underlying conditions you might be suffering from.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a huge step in managing your condition and increasing your quality of life. It's important to remember that being diagnosed does not mean that you'll be treated. The correct treatment plan can make a big difference. But you need to be patient and figure out what you can do to improve your health.
While the symptoms of ADHD can be challenging to manage It is crucial to keep in mind that there are a lot of treatments available. These include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and behaviour therapy. These treatments can be used individually or in combination. They can be the most effective for many people, but they can also have negative side adverse effects. If you're considering taking medication it's a good idea to discuss it with your psychiatrist prior to starting.
A long waiting list hinders some adults from getting an official NHS referral to have an adult ADHD assessment. This can be very frustrating, especially when the NHS has invested into an nurse-led ADHD waiting list initiative to address this problem. In the last three year, ADHD assessments have increased by 1000% in Greater Glasgow and Clyde's CMHTs.
Treatment
The first step is to recognize your symptoms and have an exhaustive assessment by a psychiatrist. This may be difficult for some people but our psychiatrists are experts in making you feel at ease and at peace.
If you inquire, GPs can perform an initial ADHD evaluation. However the fact that a lot of GPs don't have training in neurodevelopmental conditions makes it more difficult to get an NHS referral may be more difficult than it needs to be.
It is important to keep in mind that a diagnosis for ADHD does not change your personality. It is simply a description of the reasons why you have a hard time staying on task, organising tasks, or managing your emotions. Many adults who are given an ADHD diagnosis find it an immense relief to be able to understand why they've struggled. It can also trigger numerous emotions that must be discussed in therapy.
Depression and anxiety are two common issues that can be triggered by unmanaged ADHD and they can be a significant influence on your professional life as well as your personal life. It is not advisable to consider these as separate issues. Instead, you should make sure your GP is aware that your problems could be caused by uncontrolled ADHD.
The treatment options for ADHD comprise a range of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments. The medications are effective in treating ADHD however they can have adverse consequences. It is important to discuss these with your physician.
It is essential to take the prescribed medication. There are also a number of psychosocial interventions that could help such as therapy for family and marriage, and psychoeducation. The latter is a method of informing the family about ADHD and helps them to respond more effectively to the difficulties that may arise in a relationship when someone has ADHD.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, coaching and other therapies are also often recommended. Some patients have found that these are very beneficial and are particularly useful in addressing comorbid depression and anxiety.
Support
ADHD is a chronic disorder that requires a long-term treatment. adult adhd symptoms ADHD In Adults can affect the performance of a person at work, their social functioning and mental health if they are not managed. There are a variety of support services for adults suffering from ADHD available in Scotland. The symptoms can be controlled with both medications and therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In some instances, a person's symptoms are so profound that they are unable to function at all and may require medical attention.
The most common method to receive an assessment for adult adhd is through a referral from your GP. However, a majority of GPs don't have the necessary understanding of ADHD to make a correct referral. This is due to the fact that neurological disorders such as ADHD are not covered as part of a GPs compulsory training. PhD student Blandine French has developed a tool to help address this issue and provide GPs with the information they need to be able to refer patients accurately.
If you decide to see your GP about ADHD it is important to explain your symptoms in a concise and clear manner and ask that they think about referring you to an ADHD assessment. It is also important to mention to them that you could also be suffering from a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety that may co-exist with ADHD.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD will not just improve your life, but it will aid your GP to determine how best to support you in the future. This could lead to an increase in access to psychiatric treatment if you require it. A diagnosis will also allow you to receive the assistance and treatment you need at work or at college.
People who do not have a diagnosis may struggle with low self-esteem, relationship problems and self-neglect. Unmanaged ADHD can also result in alcohol abuse and lead to mental health issues.
In the Glasgow area In the Glasgow area, a small ADHD waiting list initiative led by nurses has been created to meet the demand for adult assessments of adhd. The plan is to eventually expand into a more comprehensive path.