To change therapists because mine doesn't 'believe' in ADHD?

[neverhaveieverever]

I've been seeing a private therapist for a year now and we generally have a good relationship, they've been really helpful with some historical trauma issues.

Concurrently to this I've been waiting for an ADHD assessment on the NHS and I've just been diagnosed (am 35).

I told my therapist about my diagnosis this week and they said ADHD isn't technically a 'real' condition just a collection of symptoms that people have noted (I do get this argument to a certain extent) and that it's only become a diagnosis to make big pharma lots of money (!)

I'm not sure where to go now as I could do with some support processing my recent diagnosis and assumed my therapist would be a good person for this. But now I feel embarassed and like they thing I've been sold snake oil or something?

But I've also 'invested' a year with with this therapist and will have to start again elsewhere if I change. WIBU to do that?

Change therapist.

You need someone who gets it, and this therapist doesn't.

You wouldn't have to start again, the work you have done, has been done by you for you. Yes you will need to repeat some things, but you won't need to go over it all again

Absolutely change therapist. It sounds like this one is not going to be helpful in the long term at all.

There’s a movement within the therapeutic world which is challenging the medicalisation of human distress and it sounds like she might be signed up to this. However she should be able to put her personal views aside and work within your frame of reference, which includes you processing your diagnosis. If she can’t do this then yes, it might be time for a change.

I really think different therapists and types of therapy are good for different parts of our process, it’s ok to change for someone who gets where you are now, it doesn’t invalidate the work you’ve done or your relationship with her if you find someone else to do the next part of the work with you.

Really reaching here to give your therapist the benefit of the doubt here, but we’re they trying to (poorly) explain the difference between a clinical diagnosis (based on a selection of observable symptoms) and a medical diagnosis (can be proven on scientific tests)?

What’s worth noting about clinical diagnoses is that we may not yet have a scientifically measurable diagnostic process for many of these conditions but one day through research we could develop these tests and it might be possible to irrefutably diagnose them!

Either way, if you’ve lost faith in the ability of your therapist to support you then please find a new one.

I'm with steppemum here.

If you need support processing your diagnosis, this needs to be with someone who understands the cognitive and attentional implications this has for you as an adult, and also to work with you to find ways to mitigate how it affects you. It is fairly difficult to get a diagnosis in adulthood. It must be affecting your life. I understand her medicalising common distress arguments, but they are MUCH more applicable to diagnosis in childhood, where one has to be much more careful. It is less of an issue in adulthood.

Also, regarding over-medication, you have capacity and freedom of choice, which children don't have. Try the medication for ADHD. If its helpful, take it. If it isn't, stop. (Obviously liaise with your doctor of titration on and off as required). But you are totally in the driving seat, and usefulness is your outcome measure.

So, as steppemum says, the work you've done so far is great, its banked. Now time to find the right specialist for your current concern. You can be grateful to your current therapist for their useful work, and look for someone else to support with the next bit. Not everyone is an expert in everything, and you'd be surprised how much ISN'T taught during therapeutic training (different types train in very different ways).

Yep, get yourself an adhd coach or join a support group to help you process this. My brain practically rewired itself post dx.

It is one of the most studied conditions. Getting a dx has been hugely helpful for me, even with no medication.

Your current therapist is not competent to help you process your diagnosis and is a total idiot so yes, you need a new one. The work you've done on yourself with them is still work you've done, though, and won't disappear. It hasn't been a waste if it'shelped you so far, it's just time to move on to something that will help with the next phase for you. Good luck, OP!

Absolutely change therapist immediately. ADHD isn’t the tooth fairy & not ‘believing’ in it is nonsensical (when science can now prove physical differences in the brain along in people with ADHD..)

www.ajmc.com/view/brain-mris-can-identify-adhd-and-distinguish-among-subtypes

Also being diagnosed & knowing why some things are more challenging for you & why you are brilliant at others is a massive relief. People dismissing that diagnosis because they are ill informed is soul destroying & the last person you need doing that is your therapist!

Especially if diagnosed later in life people with ADHD will often have spent a long time feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with themselves and feeling like they are failing, or been called lazy or stupid when in fact it’s all down to being differently wired and having problems with executive function. You wouldn’t take someone with a broken leg to a doctor that didn’t ‘believe’ bones could break…

Please don’t listen to a therapist that doesn’t believe in something so fundamental to your life & mental health when you could have someone who understands and can help with the insight, strategies and tools to cope and find happiness despite or even because you are differently wired.

I’d also assume they weren’t very well qualified and have zero faith in their abilities if they don’t recognise or understand or even ‘believe in’ one of the most commonly recognised neurological brain disorders!?

She's a quack. Change therapist.