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ADHD Video Call Diagnosis – A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds BBC Panorama found that patients are diagnosed with ADHD at private clinics and are prescribed powerful drugs after unreliable video calls. The undercover investigation took place after tips were reported. Dozens of patients and whistleblowers contacted. Many people are forced to pay for private assessments due to the NHS waiting list. But is it really working? Why do I require a private diagnosis? If you believe that you or someone you know suffers from ADHD, it's important to find a specialist who can assess your health and provide the necessary treatment. While a lot of people choose to go with the NHS but a private diagnosis can often be more efficient and can save you both time and money in the long run. There are concerns that the NHS is unable to cope with the demands of current services for ADHD assessments. Patients are waiting for weeks or even months for an appointment, and this can cause significant distress for those who suffer from the condition. Furthermore, a lot of people think that the quality of NHS assessment services isn't as good as it could be. It's not surprising, then that more people choose to get a private evaluation. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns about the quality of care offered by some private clinics. The undercover programme revealed that some clinics ran assessments over the telephone and claimed that patients were ADHD when they weren't. A private assessment usually starts with a series of screening questions which you'll be asked to complete and submit to the clinician. The tests are designed to determine if you exhibit the symptoms of ADHD and are standardized. These results aid the clinician decide if you should attend a diagnostic appointment. The doctor will then conduct a detailed assessment of your medical and family history, and how the symptoms of ADHD are impacting your life. They will also conduct an examination of your body and cognitive tests. You will be diagnosed with ADHD according to your specific situation and given a treatment plan. After you are diagnosed with ADHD, your clinician will send documentation to your GP to request a shared-care agreement. This will allow you to continue receiving NHS medication (only paying the NHS prescription cost) while seeing your private therapist for ongoing appointments and CBT therapy if needed. What is the outcome if I fail to receive a diagnosis? A good diagnosis and the right treatment can make a massive difference in the case of ADHD. However the NHS procedure for diagnosing ADHD can be long and painful. Many adults can't wait that long and look for private doctors to evaluate their situation. This can save time and stress, but it's important to recognize that this isn't necessarily a guarantee of a precise diagnosis. A specialist who has experience diagnosing ADHD can give more detailed evaluations than a psychiatrist on the NHS. This can include a physical exam and tests, such as hearing and vision. The assessment may also include questionnaires and checklists. The person who conducts the test will also inquire about your family background and social and medical history and will also inquire about your symptoms. They might also use standardized ADHD rating scales and may be able to ask your teachers or caregivers for ratings, too. When evaluating adults with ADHD, the healthcare professional will look for five or more symptoms within a period of six months that are serious enough to disrupt your work or family life. They will also determine whether these symptoms are due to mental health issues in other ways. For how to get an adhd diagnosis uk , depression and anxiety can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. They will also assess your work and social life history to rule out any issues such as financial difficulties or a history of abuse, and drug or alcohol misuse. During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional will tell you if they think that you don't meet the criteria to be considered a sufferer of ADHD. They will explain their reasoning and you can request another assessment if you disagree with their conclusion. If you have a private diagnosis of ADHD may decide to discuss this with their GP and the GP can then refer them back for shared management under the NHS. Adults who have been diagnosed as ADHD can get medication this way. Some GPs are hesitant to prescribe ADHD medication because they aren't experts in the condition or because it's expensive. What if I disagree with my diagnosis? It's worth remembering that your clinician should be considerate and understanding of your feelings and concerns. They'll be aware that untreated ADHD can create serious issues for families and individuals. If your doctor isn't happy with the diagnosis, they may be able suggest alternative treatments or diagnoses that may be more suitable for you. If your doctor decides 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 information about your difficulties or because they believe another condition explains your characteristics (symptoms) better than ADHD. If you're not satisfied with this decision you may seek another opinion from a different clinician or submit your complaint to the NHS complaints procedure. No matter if you opt for private or take advantage of NHS healthcare waiting times for an assessment can be long and it's important to consider that your clinician may find the process difficult. The NHS is stretched too thin and this isn't the fault of the people involved. GPs are also having difficulty navigating the complicated process of diagnosing ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence as a whole). They must ensure that they offer a high-quality service that is safe and fair, and also meet the standards of shared care prescribing set out by the GMC. Unfortunately, Panorama's expose has revealed that private clinics are using a shortened diagnostic techniques and this could put people at risk. This is a national catastrophe and a valid reason to consider other options. It is important to remember that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it more difficult for some people to receive an assessment. This is especially true if they are of a minority ethnic background or were born female or have other social and health circumstances that can influence how medical professionals assess the symptoms they have. If you are struggling with unmanaged ADHD symptoms and feel your life is negatively affected, we are here to assist. Our clinicians are experienced in diagnosing ADHD and are able to provide support and treatment to help you overcome your issues. You can call us or request an appointment online to discuss how we can help. What happens if I don't want to take medication? If you are worried about ADHD symptoms but do not wish to take medication, it's possible to be diagnosed without the need for medication. The NHS offers an adult 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 via the 'Right to Choose' pathway which is a lot faster. Your appointment will include an online questionnaire, a medical interview, and the completion of certain validated assessments. This will allow your doctor to understand how these symptoms affect you and the impact they have on your daily routine. The clinician will consider your experiences in the past and your family history. It is crucial that you provide truthful and accurate information. If the physician determines that you meet all of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and ADHD, they will be able to provide you with an assessment. You will be asked whether you would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. It is essential to consider the consequences of taking any medication prior to making the decision. This is because the effects of medications can be long-term and may cause serious adverse side effects if used in a safe manner. When you choose to take medication, your psychiatrist will provide you with a plan and a prescription. You could be given ADHD medication for a lengthy period of time, based on the severity of the symptoms and the length of time you've experienced them. It is important to also remember that there are other non-pharmacological ways to manage ADHD symptoms. These include exercise, diet and cognitive behavior therapy. The BBC Panorama 'expose' of private clinics diagnosing ADHD has caused a lot of controversy, particularly because it suggests that patients are being misdiagnosed because of insufficient assessment of their clinical needs. We are hesitant to say that this doesn't happen because humans aren't exact creatures, and psychiatry barely is a science. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms and you are being disappointed by the NHS waiting times, then it may be a good idea to get a private assessment.