ADD diagnosis - worried that I will ‘fool’ the psychiatrist?

[ADHDer]

I have learned about a read up a lot on ADD/ADHD in women and it would all make so much sense. It would account for some comments on my school reports, how I was at university, my performance at work in my 20s, and aspects of my day to day life now in my late 30s. (I can give examples of all this if needed).

Getting a diagnosis and trying medication has been at the back of my mind for a few months.

But - and this may be hard to explain so bear with me - I am worried that because I feel like I ‘know the right things to say,’ the psychiatrist may give me a diagnosis because I am ticking the right boxes.

But am I only ticking the right boxes because I have done my reading and I ‘know what to say?’

Will the psychiatrist be able to truly see beyond that?

Has anyone ever been for a diagnosis and been told they DON’T have it?

I am 32 and got an ADHD diagnosis last year. My 11yo and 6yo son also have it. Best thing I have ever done was seek q diagnosis for myself. It was like a weight has lifted and made alot of my life make sense. The psychiatrists are trained professionals and can tell mostly if you are putting on an act

I was diagnosed this year (I’m 31) and this imposter syndrome feeling is totally normal. The psych will direct the conversation and while they did ask me for examples, they were also looking at other indicators (e.g. the fact that I didn’t stop fidgeting, I kept interrupting the conversation, etc). I worried that I’d faked the whole thing but I was later assessed again by the NHS (long story!) and my scores were exactly the same in the two columns of criteria even though the conversation had been totally different, so that put my mind at ease. I’m now on medication and the difference is unbelievable.

My friend was assessed a few months before me and she was told that she doesn’t have ADHD. She was told that she didn’t meet the criteria and was referred for therapy. Now that she is on antidepressants and has been working on things with a therapist, she admits that the psych was right.

Also, just because I’m a pedant , ADD is no longer a diagnosis. It’s ADHD with three possible subtypes: inattentive, impulsive, and combined

Ah I didn't realise that @amusedbush, no problem with being a pedant at all

Interesting that you know someone who didn't receive a diagnosis and also interesting that the imposter syndrome is totally normal!

Is it true you have to report the diagnosis to the DVLA, health insurance etc?

@ADHDer

I don’t know about health insurance but it was made clear to me that I’d only have to report it to the DVLA if I felt the disorder impacted my ability to drive. I’ve been driving for years so I haven’t told them anything.

Hi OP
No pressure but I’d love to hear about the experiences you mention
I’m starting to think I may have adhd based on a list of symptoms but struggle when applying these to real life every day behaviours
Am interested to know about yours if you are willing to share