I’m an ADHD assessor that has ADHD - AMA

[DisabledNurseofTiktok]

This topic was incredibly popular on another social media site so I thought I would open it up here!

Im an Advanved Nurse Practitioner that assesses, diagnoses and treats ADHD. I have ADHD, and my daughter has ADHD.

if you have any questions about right to choose, assessments, treatments, or just ADHD in general ask away!

Are more parents Persuing a diagnoses now, not just because of greater awareness but changes to the school curriculum (fewer breaks, more formal, content taught much earlier, less play based, focus of grades, later leaving age). “Breaks” children earlier and you can tell something is wrong quicker because they find it harder to mask at school?

Thanks for this. It is reassuring to know

The qualifications relevant to this job are:
KUF Level 1 understanding personality disorders
BSc(hons) nursing
PGCert physical assessment and clinical reasoning
PGCert pathophysiological assessment and diagnostic reasoning in advanced practice
PGCert non medical prescribing
CPD advanced ADHD assessor training

Interesting about your thinking around why medication may not work for some people!

It doesn't work for me with my inattentive ADHD, sadly, and I'm still figuring out ways to manage. Do you have any advice or can you signpost to anything which could support with executive function?

I honestly hear and read of sooooo many people who have been told by their NHS assessor that they don’t have it when they know they do and are then diagnosed privately. It’s so common on ADHD groups.

The evidence suggests that whilst there may be some initial growth stunt during titration, there is no impact on final adult height.

Another question, if you don't mind? Thanks so much for all the insight you've given!

I have a friend whose parent died after a short illness when she was 10. She was later diagnosed with ADHD in her thirties. I don't think she was asked about her parent's death during her assessment. Could she actually be suffering the results of trauma, rather than ADHD, and how do they present differently from each other?

I’m 53 and have completed my forms and had a meeting towards an ADHD Assessment. They have asked for supportive evidence from when I was a child. I cannot get parents to complete (one dead, one unable) and can’t find school reports from Primary school. My husband of over 20 years has completed.
Do you think this will hamper a diagnosis?
in my meeting / interview it was over 3 hours, I was able to recall many incidents from childhood.

I find comments about grammar have a tone of underlying classism. Who cares about such boring things in reality?

I’m an advanced nurse practitioner, not a nurse practitoner. I do not work for the nhs. But within the nhs these jobs are typically band 7 or 8, so with high grades come high responsibility.

I think your suspicions are correct, especially with budget cuts to SEN services.

There does need to be evidence of symptoms present in 2 or more settings, that is correct. However because your daughter is 12 she can self report symptoms, and it may be that she has internal or discreet symptoms that the school are simply not paying attention to. This is actually really common when completing children’s assessments.

I’m waiting to be assessed at the moment after a mental health professional suggested I have ADHD. I was completely shocked at the suggestion but looking back on my life I do fit the profile for inattentive ADHD.

However, I held down a professional role for years that demanded a huge amount of organisation, precision and detail. I’m also never ever, ever late for anything - the thought of being even a minute late induces a feeling of panic. Is this because I’m overcompensating?
I must admit I’ve been a bit lost since retiring because I don’t have the structure in my life any more.

Medication is the first line treatment besides that.

Non pharmacological options include:

• psychoeducation
• neurodiversity coaching
• lifestyle changes
• mansgement strategies

It is also possible to apply for Access to Work for support in the work place, this can also fund neurodiversity coaching.

it also allows for reasonable adjustments to be made in the work place that is critical.

The other crucial point is that diagnosis can be extremely validating for someone who might have a negative perception of themselves. Many patients feel that they are lazy or stupid, but that’s not the case!

I always encourage people to trial medication as that is the most effective treatment, but it isn’t the only treatment!

I’m shocked that a nurse practitioner can diagnose ADHD on their own. My Dc had a private assessment. 5 medical professionals were involved in the diagnosis, each wrote their own report. They also visited their school to observe how they behaved in that environment

Does the second setting have to be from a club of some sort if not school, or can a friend/other family member be used if they see the behaviours at their house?

It is possible to take stimulants with fluoxetine but you need to be aware of serotonin syndrome.

Many patients with ADHD have misdiagnosed depression and often come off anti depressants once their ADHD has been treated.

That's great thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Good to know about the option to self report. I do feel like since her symptoms are less overt than the hyperactive type symptoms that they just don't draw attention in a busy classroom. Food for thought, thanks again!

If your symptoms are negatively impacting you like you have described, then it is definitely worth seeking an assessment.

I’ve not experienced what you have described myself or with my patients.

I view people who sell supplements that claim to help as snake oil sellers. The only proven treatments are stimulant based medications and non stimulant based medications like atomoxetine. That’s not to say that dietary and lifestyle changes cannot help, but they definitely cannot cure it like some claim.

It is likely an issue with timings. I think discussing it with the consultant is a really good idea!

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I haven’t been in the role long enough to note any changes like this, but as a parent I sought a diagnosis for my daughter because she found school incredibly difficult to cope with, and it was near impossible to get an EHCP to support her without one (she has one now!)

She's not claiming to be an English teacher!

I would really recommend applying for Access to Work to fund neurodiversity coaching. Good luck!

My son has adhd, he’s 6. He gets incredibly angry and says he wanted to kill himself so he is free of what is happening inside his brain. He has tried to cut himself. School can’t keep him safe so he’s only in a couple of hours a day, and I’m homeschooling him while working from home. He’s started medication (methylphenidate) and the dose is being increased next week. I can see it starting to make a difference - no question but maybe just a handhold…..I’m scared and lost. I’m so deep in it that I can’t imagine that medication (along with play therapies etc) will actually help. My 6 year old is self-harming, I am utterly broken but holding it together for my child.

You can ask as many questions as you like 🙂

We ask about symptoms that were present before the trauma occurred, so in this case I would ask specifically about symptoms as a younger child. The difference is one is life long and is marked by difficulties with executive functioning, and the other is not.