ADHD

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If anyone reading this has sought a private diagnosis for Adult ADHD, would you please share how you approached that, and if you then latterly were taken on board by NHS for treatment without an official ‘NHS’ referral and diagnosis? Feel free to PM too.

I see symptoms in my children and have suddenly realised it’s very likely I have it, and it’s potentially affected so many things in my life. I’m now wanting to look at this quickly before I procrastinate and do nothing about it ...

Thank you

I was surprised how quickly I got seen and diagnosed in the NHS. Try speaking to your gp. Some parts of the country have a good service (lots don't too).

There's a good Facebook group with lots of info from different people about their routes to diagnosis. I'll find the link..

DH was diagnosed as an adult, I know you're asking about private but he was diagnosed via the NHS and really quickly, too. He spoke to his GP, after our DS was diagnosed, who referred him and I think within 4 months he was diagnosed and trialling medication.

This is the one: www.facebook.com/groups/2474319084/?ref=share

Thank you both for replying!

So I think if I go to the GP, I’ll be fobbed off. It’s happened about so many things, they only seem concerned about costs these days and fob you off unless you go back twice.
It maybe irrational fear that I’ll build myself up and then have to try and prove myself which will make me doubt myself.

I think I want to see a private doctor who isn’t concerned about how much I’ll cost the NHS if they refer me. Am I crazy?

You're definitely not crazy!

I was really nervous before seeing the gp. I was convinced they'd think I was faking or something. I took a screening questionnaire with me to help me explain my experience. But the gp was lovely. Just asked me a bit why I thought I might have ADHD and checked that I would consider treatment if diagnosed and then agreed the referral. It was fine!

Ahh thank you! I’ve taken about 200 screening questionnaires over about a year. All come out the same... very likely to have ADHD

I did refer my daughter for an assessment when she was 5, they told me she was fine. But everything I see and read suggests girls cover it well in diff environments. Which is exactly my issue. The noise, emotions, stress, anxiety, disorganisation, procrastination, ‘todo’ list, in my head and life I paper over for the outside world. Except when I’m interrupting people constantly ☹️

@Ouchiehelpneeded can I ask, did an actual diagnosis help you? Meds/ behavioural therapy etc?

It has helped so much!

I have meds which really take the edge off the chaos, if that makes sense. They don't transform me into a super organised completer-finisher, but they help keep me reasonably focused.

But the main impact has been to help free me from the enormous shame I've always felt at being so disorganised and annoying! Haha. It's really liberating. And taking the shame out of the equation has made it much easier to find and implement approaches and strategies to mitigate the problems.

I had some counselling which helped with this too, which I'd definitely recommend. She wasn't a specialist, but she had a child with ADHD so she did know a bit about it.

Also social media contact with other adults iwht ADHD. It's such a relief to see other people tackling the same issues.

Omg, ‘shame’ - yes! I’ve felt this my entire life. Not normal, good enough, functioning (but I’m successful work wise, but have to work so so hard at it to be so)
What meds are you on?
Thank you so much.

I'm the same- reasonably successful, outwardly competent (more or less!) but constantly stressed and exhausted by the effort of holding it together.

Dani Donovan's comics? She does a great job of describing the experience of adhd.

I'm on dexamphetamine. They work well, but I'm going to ask to switch to the long acting version because I keep forgetting to take doses later in the day (I usually manage in the morning!). I had side effects when I first started (insomnia, reduced appetite) but they've gone now (I'm slightly disappointed by the appetite one, tbh).

Haha those cartoons are amazing!

I tend to have really focussed days which I get so happy about then fall into a heap of exhaustion and fog for 3 days.

I self medicate a bunch of things to keep me functioning.

I’m on issue 21 of my bank card.

I haven’t renewed my house insurance

I haven’t submitted my work expenses for 2 years now - the task is too much despite it being 5 figures. ☹️

I watched an adhd documentary earlier but I did about 20 other things whilst watching it, and got annoyed as I was on my phone and kept opening other things which of course stopped the video.

Does your medication help crap like this?! Gutted about the appetite returning as I’m overweight.

One of the things that made me stop and think about whether I really should seek diagnosis was when I was describing my problem with expense claims to one of my colleagues. I said "it's like a phobia, it's almost pathological" and a little light went on in my head: just a sec! Perhaps it really is a pathology!

For stuff like that now I try and get someone to help me. I.e. do you have anyone at work or at home who you could ask to (eg) sort your receipts out? Or sit with you while you do it?
Another approach is to just put in a claim for the most recent 3 things. Also- forgive yourself. You find this really hard, that's just a fact about you, it does not imply you are bad person or lazy or stupid or anything other than you are a person who struggles with expense claims

I was dx privately by Psychiatry UK. It was approx 350 for dx and 175 for the letter and follow up appointment. They prescribe until you reach the right dose. Each prescription is 25 plus monthly meds which are between 30-70'ish. Can take 3 months for right dose. They then move you to Shared Care..it was the easiest thing ever. They just wrote a letter and I picked it up. However to get it on repeat you need to have one appointment. Also you really must speak to them first to tell them you are going private and ask if they will do shared care as it is a lot of money to spend.

Ask about your local area on the fb group, every ccg is different in waiting times. Some of them do right to choose so your go csn refer you to P UK and pay the cost which can take less time. I had the money and needed it quick as was at risk of losing my job so I do not regret it, but you can ask to see a different gp if fobbed off. You have to become your own advocate with it. Good luck, best thing I did aged 38! Also diet, sleep and strategies are essential in management of adhd not only meds.

Yes, the meds definitely help in combination with delegating or getting help with the things I'm really bad at.

I couldn't possibly watch a documentary on my phone, even medicated. I use candy crush or embroidery to occupy my hands while I watch TV!

Yes- changey is right, meds do not work on their own.

Changey- what effect does diet have for you? I certainly find regular exercise and time outdoors are essential.

I take extended release methylphenidate and a quick release top up. Easier to start things, less distracted, more regulated. Used to worry constantly, much less now. It has been 12 months. Still learning strategies and do's and don'ts. Putting in place structures and boundaries that support me. Learning lots of tips.

So pleased im not crazy!

I can’t watch a film or TV without having phone and/or laptop. I literally have to do 2-3 things at once and none of them well - other people get annoyed at me. I detest the cinema, flights etc. Penned in.

Expenses? I don’t know. I’m just too overwhelmed, that’s it’s preferable to write it off, but it’s always in back of my head stressing me out. I might try the last 3 things though! Thank you.

@Changeyname40 is there a way to find out who the nhs approve of for shared care route? I’ve heard private is good for quickly trying diff meds that might suit to then transfer. Can you then alter meds with GP or do you need a pych?

Thank you both so much

I've more or less up to date on expenses . But mostly because I use a company credit card for most stuff and get regularly pestered by the person who manages them. Also- could be sacked if I don't submit receipts!

I won't mention the £100s worth of clothes and shoes I've bought and run out of time to return, that are sitting, pristine but unwearable in my wardrobe 😳

Diet- helps memory.

Also xl meds can suppress appetite, everyone is different, if I do not eat my focus is worse and anxiety goes up (more so as it is a stimulant med). Alarms for lunch help.

Protein in diet is good as enhance focus effects of med. My psych said some evidence for beneficial effect of Mediterranean diet in adhd- omega 3.

On focus, you still have to direct your focus. I can focus for 4 hours on my phone if I let myself. Also realised no amount of meds can make me do something if my heart is not in it!

My tip for this, not thinking about trying to do all of it, just start, anywhere or one next step, something like 10 or 17 or 25 min block, then a break.

@Ouchiehelpneeded same on clothes - oops

Well done on expenses! Doesn’t matter how you get there!

I’m a hoarder too as I can’t get rid / make a decision. But I do buy ridiculously expensive things on a whim ☹️

Expenses- lost mine as financial year passed. Are you still eligible to claim?

I then wrote down on a coloured post it note the steps I needed to follow to make the claim and how long each step takes. Stuck it to my desk. Print or laminate it on coloured paper..Got a new job now with less expenses but must do this again soon.

@Changeyname40Oh

I’m rubbish at self care but know it makes me feel better. I starve, down coffee, chain smoke, over eat. Binge drink etc. I can’t stick to a healthy way of life like other people seem to. Is that corrected with meds?

Also can I just ask, I literally can’t recall old events and memories like my friends. I can’t remember people’s names from my previous periods/decades unless they are still in my life. Is this ADHD or just me?

@Changeyname40 luckily I have a really understanding boss, and we talk about my lack of claim quite often. I may now lose 2018 but we’ll see if I ever submit. I wonder if I got on meds if they’d magically make my expenses complete lol
I have no idea why I can’t do it - it’s not rocket science!!

All NHS should approve of shared care. But ask on fb group for experiences. Also if you come into struggle it is v good place to post for support.

No you need to go private to alter meds..you have to have an annual review at cost of 175.