To consider proper ADHD assessment for myself, age 52; will it change much?

It’s not more flexible, good private assessments use the same diagnosis criteria as NHS assessments. One of the criteria is traits being present in childhood, you won’t get a private diagnosis without that. However you don’t necessarily need evidence like school reports. I didn’t have those, or an informant who knew me age 12 or under. I used my DH as an informant and did the childhood part myself. I had a lot of traits of both ADHD and ASD in childhood so that part wasn’t difficult for me.

I also likely have ADHD and tick ever box but I have learned to be at peace with my brain and accept that some things I struggle with but other things it's an advantage e.g. I can hyper focus on things
100% this. The menopause is a significant transition for most women. We just come out of it slowed down, ADHD or not.

I am not diagnosed but I don't need to, it's obvious to anyone who knows me. What saved me is very low dose of a specific antidepressant.

The problem with most medical therapy is that it helps in one are, but causes problems on another. It's rarely a miracle cure, just weighting the benefits against the inconvenience.

Ultimately though, it comes to acceptance and adjustments. I just can't concentrate any longer as I used to. It frustrated me so much as I'm self employed too and need to write many reports. I just can't take on as much work as I would have been able to 10 years ago. It's just how it is. Battling against it makes me feel worse in the end than accepting it and getting on with what I can do.

Diagnosed via the NHS in my late 40s a few years ago, so in case it’s useful… I had no access to school reports etc, was also concerned about it but needn’t have been, they seemed to wave it off. That said, whoever designed the forms you have to fill out should be charged with hate crimes against the disabled.

I take Elvanse now. It’s not the transformative medication for me that some other people experience, but I spend a lot less time standing in rooms trying to remember what I’m meant to be doing.

Anyone and everyone wants an ADHD diagnosis these days, it’s the latest fashionable condition, the waiting list is so ridiculous these days, especially for adult assessments.

Realistically medication might not help you or could make things worse. There’s so many tools available to help without medication these days.

If anxiety and depression are your main concerns, go to your GP and ask for medication for those.

@Opinionsprettyplease you need to think about whether a diagnosis would actually change anything or just leave you £2000 poorer.

I also likely have ADHD and tick ever box but I have learned to be at peace with my brain and accept that some things I struggle with but other things it's an advantage e.g. I can hyper focus on things.

Yes definitely worth exploring as medication can be life changing, as can the knowledge that you have a different brain to the norm, which means you can make any adjustments for yourself.

For me, these are things such as asking for extra clarification when I don't understand something rather than fumbling along, not forcing eye contact, saying no to overwhelming social occasions, using earplugs, subtitles, etc.

I am also autistic and the sensory overwhelm has been dreadful in the past but now I know what I need to cope. It's still a work in progress but so freeing when you can give yourself some grace.

I wouldn't worry too much about the childhood stuff as a good assessor can diagnose with your recollection of events.

I would say stimulant medication has helped me but this is in addition to anti anxiety medication, HRT, and therapy.

My friend has just been diagnosed early fifties, essentially it came about because she identified so much with my daughter who had just got a diagnosis.

I think its worth pursuing before it gets to a point where you are discussing diagnosis in therapy because you mental health has collapsed from years of masking and burnout! Not saying it will actually happen to you, but I was aware I lined up quite well with inattentive adhd for years and didn't really think much of it, but now I am suffering burnout from chronic stress on top of the normal struggle of living with masked ADHD through a busy job and 3 young kids.

Interestingly my son has already been pegged for ADHD assesment at 6, but his dad has much more classic ADHD traits so I assumed it was from him!

I’ve been on the NHS waiting list for 2.5 years, it’s going to be another year at least. I’m 50. The main reason I want an official diagnosis is to easily explain at work how it affects me. I’m told that you can request shared care with your GP if you go private.

Look into “right to choose” options for your health board / county. Get GP to refer without that if you want to try medication you could be looking £400 a month bill. Definitely look into for you DD. Getting a diagnosis & medication has been life changing for my 14yr old. The RTC option still took a year from submission to assessment to trying medication for my DD.

Medication is life changing for many so worth it just for that imo

I am late diagnosed Audhd as is my husband. It hasn't changed much for me, as I am a carer. It has enabled me to look into resources and to have some clarity and peace of mind. I have felt a sense of self acceptance. I also went into lengthy counselling, but haven't looked at the medication route.

It has been more pivotal for DH as he has been able to have a work based assessments and adjustments. I'd also say start the ball rolling for your daughter first, my son who is autistic needed a lot of support in school.

My daughter is 36. She saw her GP who referred her to whoever they refer you to. She waited about 8 months for diagnosis then another year for medication. It's a long process. However, the medication has transformed her life and she is overjoyed. So, yes, worth pursuing.

I think it’s worth it. However, word of warning some GP will not take a private diagnosis for supplying any medication. So I think your first stop should be your GP to discuss the best route.

Also, our GP mentioned to DH that things start to become more apparent and challenging as you hit 50 as the normal process of aging highlights things to a larger extent and it may be as you get older the medication will be more beneficial. Not gone down that route so I can’t advise on the benefits of medication.

If you suspect you daughter has any condition I'd get that looked into anyway.

Is she struggling?

If you want medication for your own possible condition, then I guess assessment is the only way you're going to get it.