ADHD Assessment and Treatment Clinic
It is currently believed that Adult ADHD is significantly under-diagnosed in the UK.
NICE guidelines are due to be published at the end of September 2008 and will advise medical practitioners with adult patients suspected of having ADHD to refer them to professionals with expertise in this area.
In response to this need Dr Michael Craig, Consultant Psychiatrist with expertise in the diagnosis and management of neurodevelopment disorders in adults, has developed The Adult ADHD Assessment and Treatment Clinic at Capio Nightingale Hospital.
ADHD Assessment Team
- Dr Michael Craig, Consultant Psychiatrist with expertise in the diagnosis and management of neurodevelopment disorders in adults (ADHD and Autism)
- Clinical Psychologists
- A range of Therapists
Dr Michael Craig
ADHD sufferers are often very intelligent, creative and intuitive people. A tendency to worry, a sense of insecurity, mood swings and mood lability are common.
Dr Michael Craig
Assessment
Assessment will be via a well researched protocol using the Brown and Berkley scales and the Connors semi-structured interview with the patient and where possible a family member. Old school reports will be analysed. Where appropriate, psychometric tests will be administered to support the diagnosis.
The initial assessment will take approximately 2 hours followed by 5 hours of analysis and further investigations if required.
Treatment of ADHD
The treatment of ADHD consists of medication, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psycho-Education.
A range of medication is available and will be tailored to fit the exact requirements of the patient.
The initial assessment will be followed by a consultation with Dr Michael Craig to clarify the diagnosis and offer treatment where necessary - usually medication.
The patient may also be referred to therapy such as Family and Couple Therapy, Addiction Counselling due to self medicating, or Individual Therapy resulting from grief or trauma related to the diagnosis not being identified until late in life.
There may be some follow up sessions by the consultant to monitor medication and the prescribing may be devolved to the primary care physician where a shared care protocol is established.
Who is suitable?
Patients with a suspected diagnosis of ADHD aged eighteen and over are accepted at the clinic.
What are the symptoms
to look out for?
- Inattention hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- In adults a sense of underachievement is common, organisational difficulties, procrastination and many projects underway simultaneously, which are seldom completed.
- There tends to be interpersonal problems; a tendency to blurt things out without thinking, problems in relationships is common.
- A search for high stimulation and a low threshold tolerance are often found.
- ADHD sufferers are often very intelligent, creative and intuitive people. A tendency to worry, a sense of insecurity, mood swings and mood lability are common.
- ADHD often co-exists with other disorders such as Anxiety, Depression and Substance Misuse
This assessment is covered by a selection of health insurance providers. For more details and to discuss other payment options please call the Admissions Team.