I think I may have ADHD

[Lem1984]

I am reflecting on life at the moment and have been doing some serious thinking about situations, my behaviours etc. I am not one to come to crazy conclusions but I am really starting to think that I may have ADHD. I was speaking to my husband and he was reading something about it online and it said that a lot of women get a diagnosis in their late 30s and early 40s. Frankly it would explain a LOT!

I'm not sure what I'm asking here but has anyone had any similar thoughts and what did you do next. I'm not sure how to start explaining.......

I was diagnosed at 33 with combined adhd. My sleep specialist sent me a screening form to fill out and then told me to contact my gp to ask for a referral under the right to choose. Psychiatry UK has the screening forms on their website, so id start there.

Thank you. I will take a look 😀

I was diagnosed at 41. Write a list of hiur symptoms, send it to your GP and ask to be referred for an assessment. X

Apparently a lot of women get diagnosed at this age as the synptoms of peri menopause make it more difficult to 'mask' the adhd symptoms and employ the coping mechanisms you have always relied on. I feel less 'different' after my diagnosis and was more able to accept my shortcomings.

Psychiatry uk diagnosed me ot was £350 for a private diagnosis but if you then go to your gp you can get fast tracked for treatment/ Meds

Without the diagnosis if takes longer but depends on Yr financial circumstances if you can outlay for dx.

Do you have a health cash plan as should be covered for diagnostic consultation I think I got it all repaid under Westfield health

The form is here

Yep I’m the same people joke I have inattentive ADHD, but I think it’s their way of asking, none are unkind when they say it but I do wonder and looking at the symptoms it makes sense and describes me very well. Interesting someone mention peri menopause because I’ve been struggling more in the last few months.

Diagnosed in my early 40s, also combined type. Massive lightbulb moment when I read a description of adhd by chance.

I took the ASRS adult ADHD rating scale (should be easy to Google a copy 🙂) to the GP to ask about referral.

There are a lot of great books, websites and podcasts about for adult ADHD, so many I can't think what to recommend. 😆

I was diagnosed at 35, privately. It explained a lot and helps me to be kinder to myself (sometimes!). I have medication - I don’t take it all the time but have just, before reading your post, decided this is a day when I need to take some as I just can’t get going at all (and am distracted by mumsnet when supposed to be getting ready 🙈)

I probably have inattentive ADHD. My son was diagnosed 2 years ago and I also scored highly. However having just retired I decided that I am comfortable as I am, although it explains a lot about my career choices. Understanding it has really helped me make peace with myself.

What does the medication do? Does it help with focus, finishing jobs, impulsive behaviour (although many of my best decisions have come from that)

I have recently asked my GP to refer me for assessment but I know that there is no adult service in my area.

@FAQs - I find it helps me to focus and organise once I have started tasks (it doesn’t help to start them though, still need to do that bit by myself!)

It also stops me from losing things and from getting lost myself so often. It is as if there is an inbuilt “tracking system” in my brain that wasn’t working before but the medication switches it on. It means that when I look for an item, such as my car keys, my brain just automatically tells me where I left it, without me consciously having to try and store the information. The same with following routes more than once, my brain just keeps the info in when I am medicated. Whereas without it, I still have to use sat nav on routes that should be familiar to me, or I get lost in buildings. That tracking system is probably the best effect from medication for me.

Be prepared to fight for a diagnosis if that's what you choose to do. My GP was extremely dismissive when I discussed my concerns with her a few weeks ago, and she very reluctantly referred me to adult community mental health saying they were already very over-stretched, and despite me requesting a referral to psychiatry UK through right to choose, this was roundly ignored. Prepare yourself for a conversation about exactly what you want to achieve from diagnosis, as well as examples of how your symptoms are impacting on your life.

I have an autism diagnosis and it's autism professionals within that service who suggested ADHD. I used to be an ADHD sceptic. But it's frustrating that the adult autism service doesn't include ADHD and so I have to go back to the beginning and wait for a referral via my GP. Especially when I know that at the moment my local CMHTs are just sitting on them.