Adult adhd?

[wombatsandadhd]

Basically I think I have adhd but my psychiatrist refuses to test me for it as he doesn’t want me on stimulants, why I couldn’t go on non stimulant medication I don’t know.

Anyway, do you guys think this sounds like adhd.

My main thing is I can never finish anything. I start off with good intentions but I always lose interest and move on to something else. This has been lifelong, it’s like I hyperfixate on something then the hyperfixation goes and then can’t focus on it no matter how much I try. Currently it’s dog walking, and I really want to maintain this as I think I could do it as a job.

I can only focus on something when I’m doing something else. Like at school and uni I would have to dooodle or play an easy game like colour switch (if anyone has played that) or doodle jump.

I’m very impulsive especially with eating and driving.

I forget everything

I’m so clumsy, just little things like I don’t focus on things so I trip over them, it’s like I’m oblivious to them (could also be the autism)

I constantly have to be on the go, I can’t sit still and I’m constantly moving in some way.

I did well in exams but never as well as I could have done as I could never focus on revising. Exams I had a prompt to keep me on task.

I also have Tourette’s and the majority of people with Tourette’s also have adhd.

There’s also lots of other things.

I was a very chatty child.

Could put in more effort and behave better was what was written on my report cards.

I’m conv8nced I have adhd but it could just be autism.

I’m going to bring it up with my psychiatrist again. As I think I really need help with it, as it’s currently a nightmare.

I’m looking for experiences, do you think it could be adhd or do you think it’s just my autism, as I am autistic and there’s blurred lines between them?

Bump.

Your consultant can advise with regard to stimulants. They are not allowed to refuse you the diagnostic processes. Go to your GP and ask for a referral.

Yes, that is all me too. I also have gross motor tics!

Can you get an assessment else where?

I would change to a different psychiatrist if that is possible?

It would be beneficial for you to know if you have it regardless of treatment plan, surely?

@Rainbows89

I would change to a different psychiatrist if that is possible?

It would be beneficial for you to know if you have it regardless of treatment plan, surely?

I tried changing already due to another issue but they gave me a second opinion with someone else and that was it.

I’m gonna try asking again.

I mean try asking about the adhd again.

Look up 'Executive Function'

@Didyousaysomethingdarling

Look up 'Executive Function'

Thanks, I’m autistic so already know what that is. I have major executive dysfunction.

I could have written your post Op (or very similar), I always thought I was on the autistic spectrum but not enough to warrant a diagnosis, not my DS’s are on the spectrum so I could see similarities. Dd1 (almost 18) thinks she has ADHD and has said “she thinks it comes from me” and then pointed out my traits.

I rarely sit still, I’m a pretty anxious person, always tapping my foot or fiddling with something, my concentration is poor but I can fixate on things of interest, my memory is terrible (I put this down to my age but it’s always been the same) and I have a lot of half finished projects 🤣.

At the moment I’m taking beta blockers which calm me a little (especially my anxiety), I’m not sure I would want to take any other medication so I don’t feel I need a diagnosis, maybe because it’s a part of me that I don’t really want to change, it’s been a part of me for 40 years.

Try filling this in and see what they say. My CBT therapist gave it to me on a hunch and turns out she was right! She was qualified to assess/diagnose me so I ended up having a private assessment.

www.advancedassessments.co.uk/resources/ADHD-Screening-Test-Adult.pdf

Sorry, she wasn't qualified to diagnose me 🤦‍♀️

Thanks for the replies. I’m definitely going to ask again. I feel like it’s really affecting me and I could with some help.

I had arranged to speak to a psychologist, who is more focused on autism (they also focus on adhd too), about starting therapy. And after our chat this morning they said that adhd is a definite possibility. Which makes me even more keen to bring it up with my psychiatrist. Hopefully he will agree to test me or refer me.

I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism this year (and dyspraxia, so I sympathise with the clumsiness!)

Why doesn’t your psych want you on stimulants? I started them a month ago and I had to have loads of checks done (weight, blood pressure, heart rate and an ECG to check heart rhythm) but it was deemed safe. From what I’ve heard from other people with ADHD, non-stimulants are basically tic tacs and don’t do anything to help.

@amusedbush

I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism this year (and dyspraxia, so I sympathise with the clumsiness!)

Why doesn’t your psych want you on stimulants? I started them a month ago and I had to have loads of checks done (weight, blood pressure, heart rate and an ECG to check heart rhythm) but it was deemed safe. From what I’ve heard from other people with ADHD, non-stimulants are basically tic tacs and don’t do anything to help.

I have a history of psychosis and stimulants can increase it or make you relapse, so that’s what he doesn’t want to risk. But the psychologist I spoke to is going to email a psychiatrist that specialises in it and ask to get a definitive answer about whether it would be possible or not. I don’t particularly want to go on more meds anyway so not fussed either way, I’d just like to have an answer.

Ahh okay, sorry to pry! I hope the specialist can shine some light on it and give you answers.

I just feel so stupid and incompetent all the time. I just want to cry. I can’t seem to do anything let alone do it right. I’m trying to start an online course at the moment but just can’t get focused enough to even open the page.