ADHD in Women, getting a diagnosis as an adult

[NippyWoowoo]

After several years of suspecting I have undiagnosed ADHD, I've finally made a telephone appointment with my GP to discuss a referral and getting my name on the waiting list for assessment.

But what do I need to know beforehand? I want to be listened to and I don't want to be dismissed, but every time I open a tab and try to read up on the symptoms that I have, I find it all overwhelming and don't really know what I need to pick out and focus on.

I'm also really terrible at keeping on point; I start off with a fully formed idea in my head, space out immediately when I start speaking, realise that I've completely forgotten the point I was trying to make, and try to cover it up all by just talking while being fully aware of how I must come across (vacuous).

I don't want this to happen on my phone call, and have the doctor write me off.

Any ideas? I want to make a list but I don't know of what. I'm just so lost and tired of feeling this way

Well you just managed it here!
Start by reading out what you’ve written?

What Cocomarine said is right.

Write it all down, make a list with bullet points and tick each off as you speak.

I am quite sure I've always had ADD (not ADHD, I could actually do with a bit of hyper sometimes), but learned to manage it even when I couldn't pin a label. You too will be able to do this.

@Cocomarine

Well you just managed it here! Start by reading out what you’ve written?

Yes, I've copied the part about struggling to keep track in a discussion on my phone, I'm just nervous I guess as being dismissed as 'oh we all do that' (a doctor once said similar to me when I tried to discuss my anxiety with him).

The ASRS for is what you have to complete for the referral to any ADHD service provider to show you meet the assessment criteria
add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf
So fill this in & can use own examples to evidence to GP

This Group has lots of useful info about process and support if things don't go to plan. Although is about Right to Choose pathway to private providers but should check what the waiting times are for your own CCG area's service as some are shorter now.
www.facebook.com/groups/righttochoosesupport/?ref=share

I pinched from the groups pinned post the link to the longer DIVA form which gives lots of useful examples and can help jog your memory of childhood. Its not necessary for GP but will also come in handy again when it comes to filling in ADHD services forms.
www.advancedassessments.co.uk/resources/ADHD-Screening-Test-Adult.pdf

Part of the diagnosis criteria is that must've had symptoms present from around 12yrs old (to rule out other conditions) and has negatively impacted various areas of your life -study, relationships, work.

Occasionally GPs can be dismissive of adult ADHD if appear a high achiever with degree/good career, however lots start to come unstuck as adults when lack a support framework and there's a load more demands on your executive functioning, symptoms are also affected by hormone fluctuations.

I've ADHD and probably ASD so it doesn't present in the typical way for either as are opposites in some areas.

One thing I didn't realise was that hyperactivity can just be mental so overly active brain with thoughts bouncing about & hard to focus on just one, rather than physical restlessness and while apparently I do fidget it's quite subtle. I do interupt people but more frequently people I know & comfortable with, others I'm often too focused on trying to listen but I'm not a big talker.

@Donkeywonk

The ASRS for is what you have to complete for the referral to any ADHD service provider to show you meet the assessment criteria add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf So fill this in & can use own examples to evidence to GP

This Group has lots of useful info about process and support if things don't go to plan. Although is about Right to Choose pathway to private providers but should check what the waiting times are for your own CCG area's service as some are shorter now.
www.facebook.com/groups/righttochoosesupport/?ref=share

I pinched from the groups pinned post the link to the longer DIVA form which gives lots of useful examples and can help jog your memory of childhood. Its not necessary for GP but will also come in handy again when it comes to filling in ADHD services forms.
www.advancedassessments.co.uk/resources/ADHD-Screening-Test-Adult.pdf

Part of the diagnosis criteria is that must've had symptoms present from around 12yrs old (to rule out other conditions) and has negatively impacted various areas of your life -study, relationships, work.

Occasionally GPs can be dismissive of adult ADHD if appear a high achiever with degree/good career, however lots start to come unstuck as adults when lack a support framework and there's a load more demands on your executive functioning, symptoms are also affected by hormone fluctuations.

I've ADHD and probably ASD so it doesn't present in the typical way for either as are opposites in some areas.

One thing I didn't realise was that hyperactivity can just be mental so overly active brain with thoughts bouncing about & hard to focus on just one, rather than physical restlessness and while apparently I do fidget it's quite subtle. I do interupt people but more frequently people I know & comfortable with, others I'm often too focused on trying to listen but I'm not a big talker.

Thank you so much for this! Really helpful. And I am by no means a high achiever so no issues there, I'm the underachiever of the family