Benefits of ADHD and/or Autism diagnosis

[yesnoADHD]

(been here for a millon years, name-changed for this)

I'm in my early 40's and have good reason to think I might have ADHD and pretty good reason to feel I am somewhere (not severely) on the autistic spectrum. Is there any benefit to getting a formal diagnosis?

I don't work in a field where something like this presents a danger or anything. I'm not crazy about the idea of medication, although this is largely a prejudice. I started seeing a therapist this year for anxiety and general pandemic-induced crazies.

I've been looking at the Psychiatry UK website and there are pathways there to getting a formal diagnosis and/or GP referral.

I'm just wondering if there's any point or benefit to it. If I was paying for it myself, and in theory I could in the autumn, it's quite an investment.

psychiatry-uk.com/adhd/

I would imagine that the benefit is peace of mind and then being able to look at specific management strategies taking whatever the diagnosis is into account.

I’ve just printed off my right to choose form. Honestly, I’d like to be medicated. I’m sure life isn’t supposed to be this difficult.

I think that considering you are already seeing a therapist for mh issues a diagnosis might be helpful as if you have undiagnosed adhd and/or autism it will affect your mh to some extent.

I would also say that whilst at the moment you are young and able to cope, one day you will not be and it could be beneficial if those around you if they know you are not nt.

It is your choice though.

I've just been diagnosed. Initially there was a "holy crap, what have you done, what does it mean?"

But it has given me peace on things that I didn't even realise were bringing me down. Eg thinking about school used to make me feel very sad and bought back stress. Now I feel so much better- it was a really hard time but I was dealing with a condition that made it harder for me than for others. So what I achieved was awesome because of that.

And I'm learning how to work with my brain rather against it which is incredibly useful.

Feeling a bit weepy reading these replies. Thank you!

If you're diagnosed with adhd and want to medicate, bear in mind that you'll have to pay for prescriptions and the medication. The methylphenidate is around £25 a month, but the other meds are a lot more expensive if you don't get on with the methylphenidate. I had to give up because of the cost. Also, the NHS won't necessarily take on a shared care agreement with the GP. Ds1 had to fight to be referred for NHS prescribing. I don't think they like medicating adhd.

I was diagnosed with adhd through psychiatryUK. I went to a clinical psychologist for the autism assessment. It's good to finally be able to understand yourself and you have to learn to accept your new identity. It gives you some protection in work as well. I wish I'd known when I was young, but better late than never.

I have been unofficially diagnosed by a friend (he is an ADHD consultant and also has it).
this was then unofficially confirmed by 2 other friends, 1 is a pschyciatrist the other works with SN kids some of whom have ADHD.

but it's just not enough. because I don't have a an official diagnosis I can't get counselling and/or meds I need and people don't actually believe me that I have ADHD (because of course how I could I possibly know, I only tick all the boxes!🤨)

so partially I need the badge of honour, an undeniable proof that I do belong to the "look, squirrel!" club.
I need professional validation that my brain functions in a non-neurotypical way and that it's executive dysfunction that stops me from doing things, not laziness.
Part of me just wants to stick my tongue out the shout "I TOLD YOU SO!"

There are other reasons to but they are secondary to peace of mind.

Not ADHD but Autism yes; I think I might have ADHD type difficulties with staying focussed and disorganised thinking if I get distracted (very easily) but it's not that big a deal for me. Getting the Autism diagnosis has been such a relief and makes alot of sense of my life in a way that therapy never did, although that doesn't mean the therapy wasn't helpful in any way, because it was.

But I am now MUCH kinder and more tolerant of myself than I ever used to be.

I was diagnosed as autistic last year and have recently been referred for testing for both ADHD and dyspraxia.

The benefits of the autism diagnosis have been able to access post diagnosis support (Scotland), a greater understanding of who I am,access some disability support in education and mental health treatment which takes into account my neurotype. I've also joined support groups and connected with other autistic people.

I've let go of a lot of the self blame I have had for not coping with things other people find easy and also made changes to my life. I was constantly pushing myself to do loads of people things which just stressed me out and I have scaled that back.

I would be wary of doing a private ADHD diagnosis as the NHS often don't accept it and if you want to trial meds then it will be a very expensive business.

But I am now MUCH kinder and more tolerant of myself than I ever used to be.

Honestly I think this is one of the biggest benefits. Two of my children have ADHD and I'm in the process of being assessed.

Not only are we all now kinder to ourselves but we're also more tolerant and understanding of each other.

There are many other benefits - meds can be truly life-changing for many people.

I have an official adhd diagnosis but suspected asd as well. I chose to pursue the adhd over asd because I think that causes me more issues and can be medicated for if I wanted.

I do belong to the "look, squirrel!" club

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba The real question is, what's WRONG with you if you're not looking at the squirrel???

If you are interested in learning about yourself and getting validation for things that you do/think etc then go for it but please don't think it will change your life. Autism isn't cured by medication and a private adhd assessment won't necessarily be accepted by the nhs for prescriptions. If you genuinely want to be diagnosed I would go on the waiting list for an nhs assessment, at least then you can receive ongoing treatment if required

Thank you hugely - this is all really useful (and kind).

@yesnoADHD

🤣
right?
how could you ever not look?

😂 My ADHD partner literally said look at that squirrel (in the tree out the front) about an hour ago. He was diagnosed in his late 40’s through the NHS, long process.

Everything made sense. For him, that he was not stupid, for me that it was not on purpose that he loses everything, including track of time, lack of organisation, inability to recall a conversation but is surprised when I cant remember the details of every bird in the garden. etc.

It means that we work with an understanding of how his mind works and his MH has improved. He is well qualified and well respected in his field, he has many qualities and he is far less self critical now. He is not medicated as it would conflict with other meds, but knowing has made a difference to him.

My ADHD assessment was done via Zoom, with me sitting at my desk, looking out of the window at my garden.

At one point I started laughing, and when the neuropsych asked why, I had to admit it was because there was a squirrel outside, distracting me.