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 medications following unreliable video conversations. The undercover investigation was conducted after tips were reported. Dozens of patients and whistleblowers spoke to.
Many people are forced to pay for private assessments due to the NHS waiting list. But is it really effective?
Why do I need a private diagnosis?
If you suspect that you or someone you know has ADHD It's essential to find a doctor who can evaluate your condition and provide the proper treatment. Many people opt to use the NHS but a private diagnosis is often more accurate and can save both time and money.
There are some concerns about the NHS's ability to meet current demands for ADHD assessments. Patients have to wait for weeks or months for an appointment. This can be very difficult for those affected. Furthermore, a lot of people feel that the quality of NHS assessment services isn't quite as high as it should be.
It's not surprising, then, that more adults choose to have a private assessment. The BBC Panorama investigation raised serious concerns over the quality of care offered by private clinics. The undercover programme revealed that some clinics rushed through assessments over the telephone and claimed that patients were ADHD when they were not.
A private assessment usually starts with a series of questionnaires for screening that you will be asked to fill out and then submit to your doctor. The screenings are designed and standardised to determine whether you have symptoms of ADHD. The results will assist the doctor to decide whether or not you should attend an appointment for a full diagnosis.
The clinician will then assess your medical history and family history as well as the impact of ADHD symptoms on your daily 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 then given a treatment plan.
If you are diagnosed with ADHD Your doctor will submit paperwork to your GP to request a shared-care agreement. This will enable you to continue to receive NHS medication (only paying the NHS prescription cost) while also seeing your private doctor for regular appointments and CBT therapy when needed.
What is the outcome if I fail to get a diagnosis?
If you suffer from ADHD, a good diagnosis and treatment plan can make a huge difference. The NHS can be slow and difficult when it comes to diagnosing ADHD. Some adults can't wait this long and turn to private professionals for an assessment. This can save time and frustration, but it's important to understand that this isn't necessarily a guarantee of an accurate diagnosis.
A professional with experience diagnosing ADHD can give a more thorough evaluation than a psychiatrist working for the NHS. This can include a medical examination and tests such as hearing or vision. It will also include checklists and questionnaires. The person conducting the test will also inquire about your family history and your social and medical history, in addition to asking about your symptoms. They might also employ standard ADHD rating scales and may be able to inquire from your caregivers or teachers for their ratings, too.
When evaluating adults with ADHD, the healthcare professional will look for five or more signs over a period of 6 months that are severe enough to cause disruption in work or home life. They will also determine if these symptoms are caused by other mental disorders. For example, depression and anxiety can cause ADHD-like symptoms. They will also review your work and social history to rule out problems such as financial hardship or an abuse history, and drug or alcohol misuse.
During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional will inform you if they believe 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 decision.
People who receive a private diagnosis of ADHD can decide to share this with their GP and the click here GP can send them back for shared management through the NHS. This is the way that some adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD receive medication. Some GPs 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?
Remember that your clinician must be considerate and sensitive to your feelings and concerns. They will know that unmanaged ADHD can cause serious problems for families and individuals. If your doctor isn't satisfied with the diagnosis, they might be able to suggest alternative treatments and diagnoses that are more suitable for you.
If your physician decides that you don't meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, they will explain the reason. It may be due to your inability to provide enough information about your difficulties or because they believe that another condition is responsible for your traits (symptoms) better than ADHD. If you are not happy with this decision, you can ask for another opinion from a different doctor or refer your case to the NHS complaints procedure.
It is important to be aware that your doctor may find the process of assessment challenging, whether you opt for private or NHS care. The NHS is stretched to its limits and this isn't the fault of the people involved.
GPs also have to navigate the complex diagnosis process for ADHD as well as autism (and neurodivergence generally). They must ensure that they offer a robust safe, fair and secure service and that they meet the GMC's requirements for sharing care prescribing.
Panorama's exposé has revealed that private clinics employ quick diagnostic techniques, which can put patients in danger. This is a national tragedy and a real reason to look at other options.
It is also important to note that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult for some people to receive an assessment. This is especially true if they are ethnically minorities, assigned female at birth or have other social or health situations that could affect how medical professionals interpret the symptoms they present.
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD symptoms and feel that your life is being negatively impacted, we're here to assist. Our clinicians are experienced in diagnosing ADHD and can provide assistance and treatment to address your issues. You can schedule an appointment online or give us a an email to find out how we might be able to help.
What is the next step if I don't wish to take medication?
You can receive a diagnosis when you're concerned about ADHD symptoms, but don't want to take medication. The NHS provides 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 by the 'Right To Choose option which is quicker.
Your appointment will consist of a validated assessment and a consultation with a clinician and an online questionnaire. This will enable your doctor to understand how you are affected by these symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. The clinician will also consider your personal experiences as well as your family history. It is important that you provide accurate and truthful responses.
If the doctor decides that you meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, they can provide you with an assessment. You will be asked whether you are interested in discussing the possibility of taking medication. Before deciding it is essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using the medication. This is because the effects of medications can last for a long time and have serious side-effects if not taken in a proper manner.
The psychiatrist will give you a prescription and a plan should you choose to take medication. Based on the severity of your symptoms, and the length of time you have been suffering from them, it could be suggested that you take ADHD medication for a longer period of time. It is also important to keep in mind that there are other options that aren't pharmacological to deal with ADHD symptoms. These include exercise, diet and cognitive behavior therapy.
The BBC Panorama 'expose' of private clinics that diagnose ADHD has caused a lot of controversy especially because it suggests that patients are being falsely diagnosed due to inadequate diagnostic tests. We hesitate to claim that this doesn't happen because humans aren't precise creatures, and psychiatry rarely qualifies as an actual science. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms and are let down by the NHS waiting times, then it is possible to pay for an assessment with a private practitioner.