To question whether I want a diagnosis and meds?

[Athelwulf]

I am pretty certain I have ADHD, and finally have my assessment coming up. My work is starting to be really affected. Driving is essential for my job, I'm no less safe now I've realised my ADHD than when I passed my test many years ago.

All the paperwork says I have to tell the DVLA if I start medicines for ADHD. Even though the evidence says they probably make those with ADHD safer drivers than if they were undiagnosed. I can't be without my licence voluntarily, I'm the main breadwinner, we live rurally, it would be utterly awful.

Do I get diagnosed? Do I refuse the meds that could help me function better, and a safer driver? Will the DVLA stop me driving if I get diagnosed and have medications?

Having to notify the DVLA doesn’t automatically mean that you will lose your licence. In many cases it’s simply a formality and you will need to inform your insurer as well. For instance someone who is diabetic and on certain medications rather than diet controlled will need to inform the DVLA and insurer and just monitor their blood sugar. You might be advised to check that the medication doesn’t affect your ability to drive (as you should with many medications).
Please don’t worry and I hope the assessment goes well.

But do you have to stop driving while they make that decision? I can't think of a time when it's good for me not to drive.

Not usually. One of my friends has glaucoma. The DVLA asked them to go for a special eye test to make sure their peripheral vision wasn’t affected, but didn’t ban them from driving in the meantime.

Your own doctor can make the decision that you are fit to drive whilst the DVLA are assessing you. The fact that you have been driving safely up to now is a good indicator of your ability. Please talk about your concerns with your GP and at your assessment.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/695575/inf188x6-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

With adhd, you only have to declare it if it affects your driving. Looked into this recently after my partner got his diagnosis.

I guess it depends how much the ADHD is affecting you in the rest of your life, and how much meds would or wouldn’t help.

If you really don’t want medication, perhaps there are other ways you can deal with the ADHD than medication - counselling, behaviour modification, education, dietary supplements etc.

It does affect my life. I would benefit from meds, I'm sure. But not if it costs me driving, that would be a disaster.

@Twitchynose that does all sound reassuring. From the paperwork, it sounded like "if you want medicines, you can't drive", and that panicked me. I've been on antidepressants that could affect driving, but didn't, so I didn't have to report that. It feels like ADHD has extra sigma, although medicines could make me a safer driver (no accidents in over 20 years, touch wood!)

I have a diagnosis. No problems with driving. The dvla had a bit of a mad moment a couple of years ago where they said you had to disclose the dx. However, it reverted back really quickly due to pressure, so now you have to disclose if you are affected. I wasn't medicated after dx, still aren't, but have found the dx useful, as I now organise my life to suit the adhd better. If you have a good driving record, pretty sure you'll be fine. Unless you want to fly jets!

I did fill in the form during the blip, now have an official letter saying fit to drive.

I didn't have to stop driving when I notified the DVLA of a diagnosed condition.

Flying jets would be awesome! The wording is that you have to inform them of you start on medicine that causes side effects that affect driving. But the paperwork from there service suggests it's if you start medicines at all, even if they don't cause side effects in you that causes driving.

I wonder if it's worth clarifying with the DVLA, but then worry that that's alerting them!

@Athelwulf it's really badly written advice. My psychiatrist told that if the medication didn't affect my driving not to worry. So I haven't. I have been driving for nearly 30 years so I'm not unduly concerned. If I were you I would be more inclined to get your diagnosis and go from there. I did let my dh take the wheel so to speak during the first few weeks on medication. After that no issues. If anything the inclination to speed has been completely removed. Speeding should be an adhd side effect according to my dr!

So glad that others have been able to reassure you Athelwulf. I really hope getting a diagnosis helps you and that if medication is the right route for you it makes a difference.
In terms of work, there is a government scheme called Access to Work that can help those with disabilities and long term conditions than impact their daily life to start or remain in employment. It’s normally thought of in terms of physical conditions and can recommend/fund equipment or even pay for transport to enable someone to remain in a job. What isn’t so well known is that there is also a mental health support scheme which will give the person a “work/vocational rehabilitation coach” to help them cope at work. They work with you on a one to one basis for 6 months and then 3 months in a less intense way. They can look at things like sleep, organisation, planning, goal setting, stress management. You don’t even have to tell your employer about them if you don’t want too (although it can be helpful). With both schemes you can refer yourself, unless there is an ongoing cost eg transport needs they don’t usually ask for any medical evidence. In terms of the MH scheme they’ll ask for permission to contact your GP in the event that they are worried about your safety. All the info is on the gov.UK website.
Sorry for waffling on there as the above may not be relevant to you, but might help someone .

@twitchynose

That's good information. I've given up working for other people but that would have been useful. 😁

Watching with interest as dh drives for a living and wont look at formal diagnosis incase he loses his license

my adhd meds say to tell dvla if it affects my driving, which it doesnt

@Wafflewombat - you can still get help even if self employed.
www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility

You only have to inform dvla if it affects your driving.

My sis has adhd and is medicated and is a response driver for the police.

@Twitchynose I'm so grateful for all your info, thank you.

And thank you to others. I'm feeling less scared, now. I am needing help (otherwise I'd keep plodding on), I feel like my disorganisation and impulsivity, and inability to sit still, is letting my children down, letting my colleagues down, and I can't keep working harder than everyone else to try and hide it, I'm exhausted.

Thank you.