ADHD Video Call Diagnosis - A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds
BBC Panorama found that patients are diagnosed with ADHD at private clinics and prescribed powerful drugs after unreliable video calls. The undercover investigation took place following tips received. A plethora of patients and whistleblowers contacted.
Many people are required to pay for private assessments because of the NHS waiting list. But is it really effective?
Why do I need a private diagnostic?
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 the appropriate treatment. Although many people opt to use the NHS however, an individual diagnosis can be more efficient and can save you both time and money in the long run.
There are some concerns about the ability of the NHS to meet current demands for ADHD assessments. Patients have to wait for weeks or months to get an appointment. This can be extremely distressing for those who are 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 go for an appointment with a private physician. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns over the quality of care provided by private clinics. The undercover programme reported that some clinics were speeding through assessments over the phone and telling patients that they had ADHD when, in fact, they did not.
A private assessment usually begins with a series screening questionnaires that you will be asked to fill out and submit to the clinician. The screenings are designed and standardised to determine if you show symptoms of ADHD. These results aid the clinician decide if it is appropriate to schedule a diagnostic appointment.
The clinician will then conduct a thorough review of your family and medical background, as well as how the symptoms of ADHD are impacting your life. The clinician will also conduct an examination of your body 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 clinician will write to your GP with a form to sign a'shared care contract'. This permits you to continue receiving NHS medication while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private doctor to attend appointments and receive CBT therapy if needed.
What happens if I do not receive a diagnosis?
If you suffer from ADHD, a good diagnosis and proper treatment can make a huge difference. The NHS can be slow and difficult when it comes to diagnosing ADHD. Many adults can't wait that long to look for private doctors to assess their condition. This could save you time and stress, but it is important to note that it doesn't guarantee an accurate diagnosis.
A professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD will be able to give a more thorough evaluation than an NHS psychiatrist. This may include a physical examination as well as tests, such as hearing and vision. This will include questionnaires and check-lists. The person conducting the test will also ask about your family history, as well as social and medical history and will also inquire about your symptoms. They could also employ standard ADHD scales of rating and request your teachers or caregivers to rate you.
When evaluating adults with ADHD The healthcare professional will be looking for five or more signs within a period of six months that are serious enough to interfere with your work or family life. They will also consider whether these symptoms are due to any other mental health conditions. For example, depression and anxiety can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. They will also look at your professional and social history to rule out issues such as financial hardships or abuse history, as well as drug and alcohol misuse.
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. You can request a second assessment if you disagree with their conclusion.
People who receive a diagnosis of ADHD privately can decide to share it with their GP. The GP can then refer the person back to share management via the NHS. This is how many adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD get access to medication. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medications because they aren't experts in the condition or because it's expensive.
What is my next step if I disagree with my diagnosis?
It's worth remembering that your doctor must be respectful and empathetic to your concerns and feelings. They will know that unmanaged ADHD can create serious issues for families and individuals. If your clinician doesn't agree with the diagnosis, they might be able to suggest alternative diagnoses or treatments that could be more suitable for you.
If your doctor decides that you do not meet the criteria needed to qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, they will explain the reason. It could 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 not happy with this choice then you can seek an alternative opinion from a different doctor or take your case to the NHS complaints procedure.
No matter if you opt for private or use NHS care the wait time for an assessment could be lengthy and it's worth pondering that your clinician may find the process difficult. The NHS is stretched too thin and this isn't the fault of the individuals who are involved.
GPs are also struggling to navigate the complicated process of diagnosing ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence as a whole). They must be sure they are offering a robust service that is both safe and fair, and meet the standards of shared care prescribing set out by the GMC.
Unfortunately, Panorama's expose has exposed that private clinics are using short cut diagnostic methods and this could put patients at risk. This is a national issue and a compelling reason to think about alternative options.
It is also important to remember that the stigma attached to being diagnosed as ADHD can make it difficult for some people to receive an assessment. This is especially true when the person is a member of a minority group or was a female when they were born. birth or has any other social and health issues which can affect the way that medical professionals evaluate their symptoms.
If you're suffering from unmanaged ADHD symptoms and feel that your life is negatively affected, we are here to assist. Our clinicians have experience in diagnosing ADHD and are able to offer support and treatment for your difficulties. You can schedule an appointment via our website or give us call to see how we might be able to assist.
What happens when you don't want me to take my medication?
You can receive a diagnosis in case you're worried about ADHD symptoms but don't wish to take medication. The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service and you can request a referral from your GP to be assessed at one of the specialist centres in England, or through the 'Right To Choose' pathway, which is much more efficient.
Your appointment will consist of an online questionnaire, a medical interview, and some validated tests. This will help your physician to understand how you are affected by these symptoms and the effect they have on your daily activities. The clinician will consider your previous experiences and family history. It is important to provide accurate and truthful responses.
If the clinician finds that you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD the doctor will be able to provide you with an diagnosis. You will also be asked if you would like to discuss the possibility of using medication. Before you make a decision, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of taking a medication. The effects of a medication last for a long time, and they can have serious side effects in the event of a misjudgment.
The psychiatrist will give you an appointment and a treatment plan should you choose to take a medication. You may be given ADHD medication for a long duration, based on the severity of the symptoms and the length of time you've been suffering from these symptoms for. However, it's important to keep in mind that there are other options to manage ADHD symptoms, such as diet, exercise and cognitive read more behavior therapy.
The BBC Panorama "expose" of private clinics that treat ADHD has generated controversy, in particular because it suggests people are being misdiagnosed as the result of inadequate clinical assessments. We are hesitant to say that this isn't the case because we are inexact creatures, and psychiatry hardly qualifies as an actual science. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms but are annoyed by the NHS waiting times, it might make sense to pay for an assessment.