Can they get an adhd assessment wrong?

[ncaibu]

I had an assessment for adhd recently, they concluded that I don't have adhd and that my symptoms/traits are a combination of past trauma and stress. I accepted this, but I keep wondering if there's the possibility they got it wrong. I'm not sure I depicted my reality thoroughly. I've been through a long term emotionally abusive relationship recently and didn't tell them that I was still caught up in it, the results of which meant I wasn't myself. One example is that it made me feel very depressed and completely dulled my spontaneity, impulsivity and obsessive urges. I based all my answers to their questions on how I felt at the time, which is not how I am usually. I was just very consumed by the effect the relationship had on me. Is it possible the outcome of the assessment was wrong? It's really playing on my mind.

Also, I believe part of their decision was due to factors from my childhood. They didn't have much info to go on, no school reports etc, but implied that I wouldn't have been able to read a book if I had ADHD (I was a big reader as a child), and that I wouldn't have been able to complete 2 big school projects I mentioned that I enjoyed.
Is this correct?

ADHD is often misdiagnosed when the real
underlying need is trauma, insecure attachment and/or adverse childhood experiences.

The symptoms or presentation of ADHD is v similar to that of a person who experienced significant stress at a critical time for prolonged periods of time.

things like
impulse control
executive function
making and sustaining healthy relationships
anxiety
depression

Go for a second opinion?

@ncaibu I don’t know if it’s correct or not. By why do you want to be diagnosed with having ADHD? Why is it so important to you?

It may help her understand herself abit better? Having something to say, oh this is why my brain does this/thinks like that etc can be comforting for some

@PecletI didn't know I could go for a second opinion, would I request this through my GP?
On one hand, I was quite happy with the outcome. To me, it said my issues can be overcome - it's not inherently who I am.

I just keep wondering, that's all, as I definitely relate to everything I hear about adhd and those who have it. But I suppose I would if the traits are so similar.

I don't necessarily want to be diagnosed with adhd. But if I did happen to have it, of course I'd want to know.

Why? What would it change?

Yes I was in remission of diabetes in Feb 25 I was a healthy diabetic with a bmi of 40 don’t you know.

A surgeon laughed their heart out in April 25. Just before rushed for emergency surgery.

I nearly had my leg amputated as a ‘diabetic’ with problems. It is so funny to some. The consequences are awful.

youd probably have to go private

if you’ve suffered childhood trauma you maybe better of looking for talking therapy rather than an ADHD diagnosis. As if you have suffered the former and have a diagnosis for the latter you’d only ever be mitigating symptoms rather than getting to the root cause and unpicking that.

something to think about.

All psychiatric diagnoses can be misdiagnosed, because there is no definitive test for any of them. They are all diagnosed on the basis of observed behaviour. There is a significant overlap in diagnostic criteria between all the diagnoses, but especially CPTSD and ADHD.
It’s quite unusual to not get a diagnosis through an ADHD assessment (I am yet to meet anyone who was told they didn’t have ADHD) . Whether that means they are more or less likely to have missed it, I’m not sure.

One of my children has adhd - they can read for 4 hours straight so not sure what your dr is talking about. They are on medication and honestly the difference is day and night - the concentration, the ability to actually listen and the lack of distraction, that’s how we know they actually have it (we suspected but didn’t bother is - school pushed for assessment)

I have never heard of anyone being told they DIDN'T have ADHD after being assessed. It's reassuring to know it does happen and there are still some folks left who DON"T have ADHD! 😅

My sister and I were both assessed, circa 1987 ish.

She was dx ADHD, I was not. Because 'that one doesn't run around and can sit quietly'.

I was subsequently dx AuDHD as an adult, just significantly better at masking. Its my brain that is hyperactive, not my body.

If you want a second opinion, ask for one. I have found it does help to have someone elses confirmation 'yep, your brain is like that and not like this' - I can't take any of the available meds anyway, as my other conditions conflict (particularly the heart stuff). It has helped me feel more confident in making my needs clear to others, when it is relevant and has stopped me getting quite so easily overwhelmed with work.

@Letloose2024 did you post on the wrong thread?

My son was told he didn't have adhd then another branch of the NHS diagnosed him with autism and said they saw a lot of evidence of adhd but they couldn't diagnose because they were the wrong branch i told them he was told LAST WEEK he didn't have adhd she was baffled its so obvious he has adhd how have they missed it etc etc and has reccomended we go through right to choose to get him tested again he is 18 soon completely failed by the system its taken us 8 years to get a no he needed to be medicated years ago he is bright but cannot focus its ridiculous school told me to my face he wasn't focused in school then filled in the paperwork saying he was fine the dr said your questionnaire came out suggesting adhd as did your sons but school said he is fine so we are going with that.....so yes I believe they can get it wrong

There is ongoing research into the correlation between trauma and increased symptom presentation for ASD and ADHD. Genetic components exist, but researchers are concluding that there is often a trauma influence as well.

As a pp said, there is no definitive test for mental health diagnoses as there are for physical, and the Venn diagrams of symptoms overlap massively for various different conditions. In future editions of the ICD & DSM they'll change as our understanding develops anyway.

I think your current attitude is very positive - whether it's ADHD or trauma or a bit of both, it's always true that you can overcome issues and develop better strategies. So maybe instead of focusing on the diagnosis, focus on what and how you'd like to change, and how you're going to make that happen? If you resonate with ADHD symptoms, you can always try coping strategies recommended for ADHD, with or without a formal diagnosis.

Access to medical treatment, surely? Been life changing for me.

" I based all my answers to their questions on how I felt at the time, which is not how I am usually. "

Why on earth did you do that? How could they diagnose you without important and relevant information?

Perhaps it’s how they ask the questions. For example, if the question is how often do you interrupt people, you might have TRAINED yourself to never interrupt but you’d like to! And you should answer on the urge not the action (I know, why don’t they say that!)

I hardly ever lose anything but I have extensive systems backing up non-existent short term memory.

it’s not the end of the world to not get a diagnosis, plenty of non-drug strategies are very effective on their own

Most just want a lable nowdays.
And if they dont get one they keep pushing until they do.

Yeah, the local Oncologist's office is full of this sort.

I imagine that if medication might help, then being correctly diagnosed could make an enormous difference to a person's life.

It could be trauma though.

The part about not being able to read a book is ridiculous on their part. My family has three generations of ADHD and we’re all big readers.

Sending you a hand hold, OP. I think it's a bit of a minefield and also worth remembering that clinicians can vary greatly. They bring with them their own personalities and world views - and undoubtedly their own bias. I was moved to a different psych clinician during my titration (due to her going on an extended holiday - I didn't scare her off!) and the second (current) one is a totally different character to her. He observes things differently and has a totally different communication style. Neither is necessarily better but sometimes you are better understood by one person more than another, if that makes sense?

I was diagnosed with ADHD last year and started titration for medication in October. It hasn't been smooth sailing at all - and although I believe the diagnosis is correct, I do often wonder if my childhood trauma plays a bit part in why I am how I am. I haven't had the transformative "look at me, I can suddenly clean my home" effect that some people report and I'm very jealous of them! The meds allow me to focus on my job (ish - whole thread about that!).

As for the assessments, have you had the Assessment A and B? These would be done by separate professionals, so as to form a view between them. I don't know how it works though, if the person doing Assessment A tells you at that stage that they don't think you have ADHD. If you haven't spoken with more than one person, I think you would be right to ask for a second opinion - if it's medication that you are looking for. As I said, it's a bloody minefield!!

What I've done is seek out a talking therapy service which goes beyond the typical IAPT that you would normally self-refer to. This is an NHS service offered in my area, which needs to be referred by your GP (or in my case, the ANP). I realise it's a postcode lottery and that this might not exist in your area but if you are ready to talk about your trauma, it might be worth having a look for yourself at what is available for you.

Wishing you all the best with it xx

This is a really judgemental take.

I disagree. It’s not the label people want, it’s confirmation that they aren’t going crazy and there is an actual reason that they struggle in a way that NT don’t. I punished myself constantly because I found many things difficult. My diagnosis helped me to understand how my brain works and how to change patterns etc. medication enabled me to study and take part in life in a way I couldn’t before.

so don’t assume that everyone just wants a label.