Private ADHD clinics exposed by BBC undercover investigation
Patients are being offered powerful drugs and told they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after unreliable online assessments, a BBC investigation has discovered.But a more detailed, in-person NHS assessment showed he didn't have the condition.Panorama spoke to dozens of patients and whistleblowers after receiving tip-offs about rushed and poor-quality assessments at some private clinics, including Harley Psychiatrists, ADHD Direct and ADHD 360.
There has been a big increase in the number of adults seeking ADHD diagnoses in recent years - because of the success of treatments and more awareness of the condition. Support groups say it has long been under-diagnosed. Panorama's undercover reporter answered questions about his symptoms truthfully throughout each of the assessments. Although, he didn't tell the private clinics the real reason he'd booked the appointment.
He paid £685 for his assessment and was told by the psychologist: "There's no expiration date for this. You're diagnosed for life."More and more people are turning to private clinics for an assessment to determine whether they have ADHD. Panorama investigates whether some are giving unreliable diagnoses
The drug is considered safe and effective for most people who have the condition, but can have serious side effects for some patients, such as those with heart problems or certain mental health issues. The lawyers said the clinic accepted that Carson "should not have been able to obtain a prescription" and has updated its processes.
Once again he was diagnosed with ADHD at a follow-up appointment and offered a prescription for stimulants.Lawyers for ADHD Direct said there would have been more checks before Mr Carson got the drugs. They say his assessment included a "full developmental and psychiatric history" and the clinic "stands by its diagnosis".
One clinician said that while working for ADHD 360 he would see a patient "on the hour, every hour" and that he didn't think this was safe. ADHD 360 says clinicians are only expected to do two assessments a day.Carson was assessed by a pharmacist. He didn't take a full psychiatric history but diagnosed the reporter with ADHD after an hour and 15 minutes. He also prescribed stimulant medication, without proper checks.
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