ADHD appointment today. I need advise

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I'm seeing my GP today to discuss the fact that I think I have ADHD. I have been putting it off and putting it off because the idea of a 5 year waiting list is quite overwhelming, but I'll never get it sorted unless I actually talk about it, so here I am. I am worried about the GP judging me as I am aware that a lot of people are asking for ADHD assessments, not all doctors are sympathetic. I just need some advice from people who have been through similar. Thanks.

*advice (sorry I hate a typo!)

Find a reliable online screening tool and print it off with your scores, to give them a head start. They may ask you to complete theirs but it gives you a starting point.

Don't ask, tell them you'd like a referral. You'll need to fill in a self assessment form which goes with your referral to the provider.

You can ask for a referral to clinical partners or psychiatry UK via right to choose instead of a local provider, the wait is around a year. I think clinical partners has a shorter waiting list as they are unable to prescribe, so if you're going down the meds route they won't be suitable, but quicker for a diagnosis.

I have been through this with my dc. I wrote a one page document with bulletpointed notes of evidence of autism and adhd. They were not in any coherent order.

So if it helps you could just do half a dozen bulletpoints.

if you are struggling with starting this list you could begin with the NHS website and what that says adhd is and your own examples. Or write some on this thread

Good luck

Also who cares what they think as long as they put you forward for the assessment.
I have given up giving a fuck about what someone I am seeing for 10 mins (if lucky) thinks of me.

My gp was quite frankly shit! I'd been asking for help since age 15 I knew I was different, I was at grammar school so intelligent but I struggled so bad with simple things I wasn't on antidepressants. I was back and forth from age 15 to 21 on all different antidepressants as was fobbed off and then begged them again for help I'd had my first baby at 21 they diagnosed me then via psychiatrist with cyclothemia which is mild bipolar and put me on medication that meant I became a literal zombie, I started losing my actual speech because it turned my brain off this scared the absolute shit out of me, I believed I was going to oneday go crazy and end up in an asylum. Was put back on antidepressants on and off until about 29 when the gp decided it must be anxiety so then started with anti anxiety meds. Had second child and she has quite profound disabilities so genetic testing was done on her she has a rare condition inherited from me 15q11.2 which causes neurodiversity asd and adhd aswell as other problems. I took this to my gp and had started researching adhd in women went to my gp and was again fobbed off as I'd *coped this long and a diagnosis wouldn't change anything. Had my 3rd child at 35 and in total despair with myself I took out a bank loan at 36 and went private, gave them access to all my medical records and went through the assessments they were astounded that I'd still had a fight to get a diagnosis through the nhs and thankfully my gp accepted this and that it shouldn't of taken this long so has entered a shared care agreement with my private psychiatrist so I now only have his fees. My eldest child has recently also been assessed and has nhs diagnosis of adhd and asd, my middle asd and adhd along with gdd and other problems and my 1 year old is already under paeds as is like my middle. So not a positive cry for help I'm afraid, I am now medicated the meds are absolutely not a cure and you still feel pretty shit alot of the time on them to be honest the frustration with yourself gets worse and you can experience crippling lows as your meds wear off. It took me 8 months of private medication prescriptions often nearly £400 a month as I'm on a combination of two meds. I'm still cross that I didn't get the help when I was younger I had so much potential and a thirst for life now I have to take medication just to survive the day, I'm unable to work had to leave in 2020 and I've developed crippling social anxiety over the years because of not fitting in I have zero friends at all, my whole life exists in 4 walls.
My advice is take all the proof you can, tell them about the job losses, financial impulses, social sides and ask them to look at your medical history apparently 90% of women have sought help several times and been given antidepressants. I hope your gp is a good one! Good luck xx

I think I'm ADHD too. I've not said anything to my GP.

I'd do an online test or print off a list of traits and write notes.

I think I'd also note down how it impacts my day to day life and has it led to any medical issues - pretty sure for me that it's been the root of my anxiety and periods of depression.

I did an online test, went to the GP and asked to be referred for assessment. I completed a tick box form at the surgery which showed a need for assessment. 18 months later I had my diagnosis. I'd also been diagnosed with autism a couple of years previously.

It's been so worth it; from the medication that kills my anxiety and quietens my brain, helping get rid of persistent ear worms and give me focus where I need it.

I look at my life through a different lens now, and am much kinder to myself.

As others have said tell them not ask. Write down all tbe issues and challenges. Also look up right to choose. You do not have to wait 5 years! 5 months or less in many cases.

adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/