ADHD Video Call Diagnosis – A BBC Panorama Investigation Finds
BBC Panorama found that patients are diagnosed with ADHD in private clinics and prescribed powerful medications after video calls that are not reliable. The undercover investigation was conducted after tip-offs and dozens of patients and whistleblowers were spoken to.
Logjammed NHS waiting lists mean that many people are forced to pay for a private exam. But is it effective?
Why do I need an appointment with a private doctor?
If you think you or someone you know has ADHD, it’s important to find a professional who can evaluate your condition and provide the necessary treatment. Although many people opt to go with the NHS however, a private diagnosis can often be more efficient and can save you both time and money in the end.
There are concerns that the NHS is struggling to cope with current demands on its services for ADHD assessments. In the end, patients are often waiting weeks or even months for an appointment, which can cause significant distress for those affected. In addition, many people think that the quality of NHS assessment services isn’t as high as it could be.
It’s not surprising, therefore that more people choose to have a private assessment. However the BBC Panorama investigation has raised serious concerns about the quality of care offered by certain private clinics. The undercover program revealed that some clinics were speeding through assessments over the phone and told patients they were suffering from ADHD when, in fact they didn’t.
A private assessment will typically begin with a series of screening questionnaires that you will be asked to complete and return to the doctor. The screenings are designed to determine if you have symptoms of ADHD and are standardized. These results help the clinician decide if it is appropriate to schedule a diagnostic appointment.
The clinician will then evaluate your medical history and family history, as well as the impact of ADHD symptoms on your daily life. The clinician will also perform an examination of your body and cognitive test. Based on your situation you will then be diagnosed with ADHD and given a detailed treatment plan.
Once you have been diagnosed with ADHD, the clinician will write to your GP with a request for a ‘shared care agreement’. This permits you to continue to receive NHS medication while paying only the NHS prescription fee. You can also visit your private clinician to keep up with appointments and receive CBT therapy, should it be required.
What is the outcome if I fail to get an appointment?
A correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can make a massive difference in the case of ADHD. However the NHS method of diagnosing ADHD can be long and painful. Many adults are unable to wait this long and turn to private specialists for their evaluation. This can save time and stress, but it’s important to understand that this isn’t necessarily a guarantee of a precise diagnosis.
A professional with experience in diagnosing ADHD will be able to offer a more thorough diagnosis than an NHS psychiatrist. This may include a physical examination as well as tests, such as hearing and vision. It will also include checklists and questionnaires. The person conducting the assessment will also ask about your family history, as well as your social and medical history, and will also inquire about your symptoms. They might also employ the standard ADHD ratings scales, and may need to ask your teachers or caregivers for ratings, too.
When assessing adults with ADHD the doctor will look for five or more symptoms that have been present for at least six months and that are severe enough to cause disruption in the home or in the workplace. They will also look to determine whether these symptoms are caused by other mental disorders. Depression and anxiety, for instance can trigger signs similar to those seen in ADHD. They will also assess your work and social life background to rule out issues like financial hardship or the history of abuse and alcohol or drug misuse.
During the NHS assessment, a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional will tell you if they think that you do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. They will explain their reasoning and you are able to request a new assessment if you disagree with their conclusion.
Anyone who is diagnosed of ADHD privately can choose to discuss it with their GP. The GP can then refer the person back to share management via the NHS. This is How To Get Diagnosed With Adhd As A Woman many adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD receive medications. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medications because they don’t have a specialization in the condition or because it’s expensive.
What if I disagree with my diagnosis?
Remember that your clinician must be considerate and sensitive to your concerns and feelings. They’ll understand that untreated ADHD symptoms can cause major problems for families and individuals. If your physician isn’t in agreement with the diagnosis, they may be able to 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, they will give the reasons. It could be that you haven’t provided enough information about your issues, or they may believe that another disorder is more responsible for your symptoms (traits). If you’re not satisfied with the outcome you may seek a second opinion from another clinician or use the NHS complaints procedure.
Whether you go private or access NHS healthcare waiting times for an assessment can be lengthy, and it’s important to consider that your clinician may find the process difficult. The NHS is stretched too thin and it’s not the fault of the people who are involved.
GPs also struggle to navigate the complex process of diagnosing ADHD and autism (and neurodivergence in general). They must ensure they provide a quality service that is both safe and fair, and also meet the prescriptions for shared care that are set by the GMC.
The Panorama exposé has exposed that private clinics utilize quick diagnostic techniques, which can put patients in danger. This is a national tragedy and a valid reason to look at alternative options.
It is important to remember that the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD can make it harder for some people to receive the diagnosis. This is particularly 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 interpret the symptoms they present.
If you are struggling with untreated ADHD symptoms and feel your life is being negatively impacted, we are here to assist. Our clinicians are experienced in diagnosing ADHD and can provide assistance and treatment for your concerns. You can schedule an appointment via our website or give us phone to discuss what we can do to assist you.
What happens if I don’t want to take a medication?
You can receive a diagnosis if you’re concerned about ADHD symptoms, but do not need to take any medication. The NHS offers an adult ADHD assessment service and you can request an appointment from your doctor to be evaluated at one of the centers for specialists in England or via the ‘Right To Choose option, which is much quicker.
Your appointment will comprise a validated assessment, a clinical interview, and an online questionnaire. This will help your physician to determine how you are affected by these symptoms and the impact they have on your daily activities. The clinician will consider your personal experiences as well as your family history. It is important to give accurate and honest answers.
If the clinician finds that you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD the doctor will be capable of providing you with an diagnosis. You will be asked if would like to discuss the possibility of taking medication. Before deciding it is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using any medication. The effects of a medication are long-lasting, and may cause serious adverse effects in the event of a misjudgment.
If you decide to take medication, your psychiatrist will provide you with the prescription and plan. You may be prescribed ADHD medication for a prolonged period of time, depending on the severity of your symptoms and how long you’ve experienced them. However, it is also important to remember that there are other options to help manage ADHD symptoms, including diet, exercise and cognitive behavior therapy.
The BBC Panorama “expose” of private clinics that diagnose adhd diagnosis online has sparked controversy, in particular because it suggests people are being misdiagnosed as a result of inadequate clinical assessments. We’re hesitant to claim that this doesn’t happen since humans are incredibly inexact creatures and psychiatry is barely a science. If you are experiencing ADHD symptoms but are frustrated by the NHS waiting times, it might be beneficial to pay for an assessment.