Experiences of ADHD assessment and diagnosis in adulthood

[Zippidydoodah]

I have finally bitten the bullet and requested a private ADHD assessment.

I feel so relieved! I don’t know why. Like I’ve finally admitted to someone that I think this could be why I’m so shit at adulting.

Please share stories of ADHD in adulthood assessments/diagnoses?

Is there anyone out there who was assessed and found not to have it? Were you given strategies/ideas to support whatever difficulties you were having?

Please be kind. Thank you!

You will have to get used to this unfortunately. Many people tell me I am exaggerating about ADHD, no point getting diagnosed etc. Even doctors are often dismissive. I had to see a rheumatologist about a rather mysterious problem. He blamed it on the ADHD meds. My ADHD psychiatrist said he was wrong and also said this happens all the time when doctors of other specialities don’t know the answer.

Thank you. Well, isn’t that depressing! Just when I was feeling a bit positive about making changes. I’m still going to go for the assessment.

My psychiatrist sent me about 8 questionnaires to fill in. I put A LOT of detail in them and she said I had made her job very easy. Nonetheless, the assessment took several hours (3?) and I then got an incredibly detailed report.

Some of tbe questionnaires were tick box answers and others required me to write stories about my life.

I can remember a lot of details from my childhood but if you can’t, you can ask your family about it without telling them why you are asking.

Definitely go for the assessment! I
found it incredibly eye-opening, and the medicatjon has been absolutely life-changing.

This is great to hear. 💐

I’m sorry your parents were dismissive. Don’t rule out using them as informants just yet though. Once you know the form that your chosen provider uses, have a look through it before you decide. I’ve known parents completely reject the whole concept of ADHD thinking they just had difficult children, but then score the questionnaire differently. Well yes, Sarah was quite day-dreamy compared to her friends, and her teacher in year 3 did have to tell her off a lot for wriggling about in assembly.
Do you have any friends from school who could help if your parents are really not on board?

Sadly I don’t really keep in touch with any old friends. I’m hoping my dp can help- he’s known me for 20 years!

Hi so I got a diagnosis at 29, a few years ago, it was actually my MHP at my GP who initiated it (I didn’t know much about it) it took a couple of months to get the appointment with the psychiatrist but when I went I was there for around 1.5/2 hrs.

After this he said that I was hitting all the criteria and that I was a severe case - combined type. He gave me 2 questionnaires home to give to a parent/family member or partner to fill out and hand back in just to support the diagnosis - I don’t think it was mandatory.

I was then referred to the ADHD clinic which is a ADHD specialist practioner who runs NHS clinics throughout my council area. I waited a couple of months and she prescribed the medication, I started off on Xaggitin XL which worked ok however I’m now on Elvanse and it has been life changing, I don’t feel much different but I’m much more organised and put together, I don’t procrastinate in every aspect of life, my mood in general has lifted and my anxiety has pretty much gone.

My diagnosis has been through the NHS from the beginning, it’s never been private and my prescription is free through my GP (I’m in Scotland and our prescriptions are free). I would be wary of going private because it involves a lot of money - they have a higher chance of wrongly diagnosing while the NHS won’t want to diagnose someone who they don’t suspect, the problem is that the waiting list is 4 years to be diagnosed now where I am.

I personally found it really helpful. I’m in an online community for neurodivergent parents now and most people in there are either diagnosed or in the process of it and it’s been life changing for many people. Quite a lot of us think we might also be autistic. It feels good to understand myself, feel more compassionate to myself and have found a group of others who feel the same

Exactly this.
Diagnosed in February, still getting my head round it, but the biggest thing is relief to understand why I am like I am!!

I still feel deflated. Such a difference from the positivity I felt earlier in this thread. 😔

As a pp said, they may dismiss the idea when hearing the term ‘ADHD’, but when asked the questions they may respond differently.

Have you thought about requesting your school reports? It’ll depend on how old you are as to whether they still exist of course. I had my reports, I was statemented (equivalent of an EHCP), was expelled from school due to my behaviours, and got no GCSES so these things all acted as evidence for me.

My primary school reports were handwritten! 🤣
I could contact my secondary, I suppose. I think I have a college one that describes my grades slipping.

Defo contact your secondary school. They’ll be looking for a pattern of behaviours / traits that started before age 12 🙂 so the earlier the better

Bear in mind that there is a very strong genetic link with ADHD, so at least one of your parents may have ADHD, and therefore may not recognise your difficulties and feelings as being out of the ordinary.

I’m pretty sure it’s not my mum, but my bio dad (who has now passed away) was an alcoholic and didn’t really sleep…. I wish I knew more about him!

Alcohol and drug problems are often seen with ADHD (self medicating).

Bad sleep is also typical of ADHD.

Keep going. It really will be worth it. ADHD is highly treatable.

You just need to be aware that most people over the age of about 35 or 40 are dismissive of ADHD, including here on MN.

Thanks for the encouragement 😊

I run an assessment service for women only. Feel free to PM me OP.

Just a question, if I may.

this morning, I had a song going through my head which I always do; my head is never quiet. As I was driving to work, I created a story in my head whereby I found a girl at the side of the road, passed out, pulled over, did some first aid, phoned 999. Then in my head i decided I need to order some face mask thingies for doing rescue breaths (which luckily I have never had to use), so I make a note in my head to do this on Amazon. Then I start thinking about the day ahead and other scenarios pop up like my son’s school calling me to tell me there’s been an intruder and they’ve gone into lockdown…etc etc.

To shut my brain up, I put some music on and sing loudly to it.

is this normal?! 🤣

I got called ridiculous the other week on MN and told that what is posted was normal for someone in a shitty job. But I don't have a shitty job! I read a book by Russell Barkley and he addresses the issue of oh everyone experiences that - no they don't! Or maybe they experience it once in a while but not every day. The radio in my head is sometimes so loud that I can't concentrate. So like you I sometimes have to blast it louder.

My practical tips:

• Use frozen or prepared food. Frozen chopped onions and garlic and chili for example. We've just moved, got a new freezer and it has drawers. Being able to see what we have is amazing and so much easier to use. Buy pre chopped fruit - yes it's more expensive but if it gets eaten then it's better than rotting in the fridge.
• Visual reminders are the way forward. Put your stuff by the front door the night before.
• Use all the cheats available - I just bought gps trackers for DCs wallets.
• Company helps when it comes to housework and decluttering. I've discovered that good podcasts have the same effect, recommend Empire for sorting the washing.
• Less and often is good. Try and reset your brain to I will start this task rather than I will complete. Most of the time once you get going you finish.
• When tidying start in one place and move in one direction.
• Take regular breaks.
• don't be ashamed of paying for help. If you can afford a Gardener or cleaner then get one. It just saves headspace.
• running errands drains me quite quickly so I get as much delivered as I can. I invested some time on my online groceries by making shopping lists for certain dishes so I just add chicken quesadillas to the basket and everything arrives (most of the time)

Wow, thank you for the tips!

I also don’t have a shitty job; I bloody love my current job. not sure what the relevance of that poster’s comment was! 🤔 🤣

I definitely need a gardener though.