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How to choose somewhere for private diagnosis

Holly987

Hello,

I am 45 female and suspect I may have autism and possibly adhd. I spoke to my GP who is doing me a referral letter, but looking into waiting lists for the NHS it looks like it will be at least 2 - 3 years. I have funds for a private assessment but I have no idea what to look for. The GP said to look for someone that has worked for NHS too, but other than that cannot recommend or suggest anywhere.

I've heard of people having terrible experiences where they have been dismissed and not been diagnosed, only to be diagnosed later with a more lengthy thorough assessment. I have sent queires to a few places asking if they use the masking questionaire and how much experience they have with female autism. Does anyone know any other questions I need to ask, or what to look for? Or able to recommend anywhere in the SouthEast.

Although I have the funds I've not been working for two years and don't want to waste money on somewhere that isn't up to date with female research.

Thank you
Holly

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Holly987

Thank you. I had looked into Right to Choose, but the waiting lists seems long for Psychiatry UK, so then forgot about it. I also read someone went private, but because they had a referral letter, they were able to do a shared agreement thing where nhs paid for medication? I also mentioned autism to GP this morning and she was very dismissive. I'm not keen to go on medication and less concerned about ADHD than autism now.

I want a diagnosis as I think it would help with work, (I've quit so many jobs due to social difficulties) I would also like therapy that is targeted for autism/adhd - developing life skills. I also think it would explain a lot about my life. I have fallen out with all my family and I think 'autism' may have played a part in that and I want to get back in touch with them and I think a diagnosis might help us figure out a way to 'communicate'.

Did you feel that a diagnosis helped you? How have you found medication? Did you have both adhd and autism diagnosis through Physchiatry UK - did that come under two separate assessments or could they diagnose both with

Tori_Scope

Hi @holly987

Welcome to the community!

I'm not able to recommend anyone, but I'm wondering whether you mind find it helpful to check out the National Autistic Society. They have plenty of information on their website, including sections on diagnosis.

You may also find ADHD UK's pages on diagnosis helpful. I think they seem to have some information about how NHS and private services can link up.

You may be able to get some support before you get a diagnosis. Have you spoken to your GP about perhaps being referred for talking therapy, if that's something you think you'd find helpful?

Holly987

Thanks, I've actually been having counselling for last two years, which has sort of been helpful, but also not that helpful. Had various types of therapy over the years to get to the bottom of things, why I can't hold down jobs etc and I think autism would explain everything.

Holly987

Thanks, thats really helpful, especially about the medication. It's great that it makes such a difference. it would be wierd not to procrastinate

Holly987

Good luck with what you decide and keep in touch and let us know how you get on or if you have any other questions. It's my special interest now too so could talk about autism and ADHD all day

Thank you so much it's been really helpful. I'm not sure it's possible to message but if it is, then I do have loads of questions and would be keen to hear all your experiences and what you know about it. But doesn't seem to be a way of messaging?

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and book an initial assessment with a provider, that offers an initial hours interiew, screening questionaires that costs £275 and they then say if they think it's worth going for the actual assessment. I'm just fearful that they'll just tell me I'm completely mad and totally dismiss it, especially after watching a you tube video where author had a really bad experience -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHHv4jI7w3Q she then found somewhere where they took a lot longer but actually asked why she had put certain answers to certain things in the questionaires, the questionaires seem really open to interpretation sometimes, somethings are easy definite yes's or no's but other things can really depend on how you look at it. Sometimes, I'm not sure how they can diagnose in 3 hours.