Adult ADHD - your symptoms and how did you get diagnosed?

[Blaziken]

Currently trying to get help with my mental health and have been wondering about trying to get a diagnosis of ASD (had previous thread about this). I've been reading lots and am now wondering if ADHD fits better. If you have ADHD, diagnosed as an adult, how does it affect you? How did you get the diagnosis? Everywhere has such a long waiting list and I struggle with waiting!

My symptoms:

Constantly distracted, all the time. Have good job but procrastinate and useless at finishing anything until it is urgent and I absolutely have to. Have always been like this. Applies at home too - something need doing? Do 6 other things and forget the original thing! University - no work done on coursework until pulling an all nighter at the last minute.

Always in trouble at school for talking. No matter how often I was punished, couldn't stop myself. Silly impulsive behaviour got me in trouble.

Very focussed on hobbies to the detriment of everything else. Once I'm interested, I can become an expert very quickly. I can lose interest just as quickly,

I have to be doing several things at once. Cooking? Also playing a game on my phone and having a whatsapp conversation. Daydream all the time.

My house is a mess. I will spend an entire day at the weekend making it better but it will end up like it again by the next weekend. Exhausting.

Someone talking directly to me? I will zone out immediately. Same for trying to read something. My poor husband is constantly having to repeat himself.

Emotional outbursts that go as quickly as they came.

Can't sit still, have to fidget or get up and move regularly. Same in bed, can't lie still.

Socially useless. I just don't get people.

Can't watch a film, have to be doing something else at the same time.

Constant anxiety, all the time.

Loads more. But will they really take me seriously as an adult? I have a job but I constantly feel like I'm firefighting and will get into trouble. I exhaust myself.

[iamaswashbuckler]

OMG you have just described me too!

[Blaziken]

amusedbush what a nightmare. It's always women that miss out it seems. I'm glad you managed to get your diagnosis privately but it's a shame that you had to. I hope my local service listen to me but based on past experience in my area I'm not counting on it.

Sorry to hear others have had this problem.

[Blaziken]

What actually happens during the assessment?

[ZZTopGuitarSolo]

I’m a lot like you OP. I found it quick and easy to get testing with a neuropsychologist that led to a diagnosis but it helps that I have two diagnosed children who both see psychiatrists regularly for their care and meds, and I’m in the US.

[Iguessyourestuckwithme]

I've just done the paper work for Asd. The screening questionnaires thinks I should follow it up with diagnosis.

[ZZTopGuitarSolo]

@Blaziken

What actually happens during the assessment?

In my case DH and I both filled in some questionnaires. I had a 4-hour zoom call with a neuropsychologist where we did a bunch of testing - I had about 100 answer sheets that I then delivered to his office to mark. He also spent about 45 minutes just finding out more about me and asking questions.

At the follow up he went through my results, showed me how they compare to females my age, then gave me a diagnosis, advice on next steps, and lists of useful resources. He also sent me a copy of my report.

My GP then prescribed meds, and we review them periodically. I could also at this point choose to see a psychiatrist.

[Blaziken]

Thanks @ZZTopGuitarSolo, that's very interesting. I guess I'm worried about proving that it negatively impacts my life. This seems to depend on the opinion of whoever is doing the assessment and those opinions seems to vary so much.