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?

I’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD. One of my favourite things to do is to read - my entire life I’ve buried my nose in a book because it quietens my brain, I hyper focus on it until I’m finished, and I can read quickly. I just really happen to enjoy it!

Ironically I started looking at ADHD about 6.5 years ago because my DD was so extra in her behaviour and realised I ticked every single box.

I’ve spent my entire life wondering why I couldn’t be ‘normal’ like everyone else. I pursued a diagnosis because holding on to life got too much and I wanted confirmation that it’s not just because I’m shit at it. I’m now medicated and life is easier now.

I think my DS was misdiagnosed as not having it because he can mask significantly better although he has a lot of markers, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is when he’s older. DD is still not even in the process of being diagnosed, she masks at school and therefore nobody will refer her.

Others will disagree - but ADHD is a spectrum and you can have traits without having 'full' diagnosis.

A friend was assessed for autism before and was told she does not have it, with a similar reason for it given as yours. She disagreed at the time and she has traits - but she now says she agrees it was the right decision for her.

Absolutely drs get it wrong all the time this is how some people end up with about 5 or 6 different diagnoses because everytime they go to see someone they get told something completely different

Oh sorry, no it's not as I've been through the process of an ADHD diagnosis myself, my mistake 🙄- what is the point in posts like this?

You're absolutely right and I apologise for not realising you meant the pre-assessment, which would be completed by you based on your answers to the diagnostic questionnaires. My understanding is that the questionnaires would then be considered by a multi-disciplinary team, who would assess whether you meet the criteria. Apologies for taking from what you wrote that you meant the actual assessment process.

It's understandable for it to play on your mind - and the reading thing, as others have said, is a very narrow view and shouldn't be used as a terms of reference for diagnosis! I was a massive bookworm as a child - I don't read much these days but that is out of choice, not because it's impossible!

Have you checked out the ADHDUK website? There are great resources there including support sessions, online sessions about different topics, etc - you don't need a diagnosis to access support from there and you might get some more informed answers x

Sorry, just to clarify, the pre-assessment isn't a questionnaire, it's carried out by an adhd nurse (may have the term wrong there) after they receive the questionnaire. I think that's why the other poster referred to it as part A and part B, as it was an hour spent with someone who assesses you first and if they think you have enough symptoms you move on to the main assessment.

I actually didn't know about the adhd UK website, I will check it out as, regardless of a diagnosis, it should help me. Thank you x

Ah ok, that sounds like there is a difference in wording, perhaps between different providers. I went through right to choose (just in time before they started pulling it back!) after being on the NHS list for about 18 months. The steps were:

• GP appointment where I had already chosen my preferred provider from the ADHD UK RTC list. I was very fortunate in that my GP sat and did the online referral there and then.
• I had already completed the pre-assessment questionnaires for the NHS pathway but was required to complete them again for this provider, along with BP reading and having an ECG.
• It's possible that as I was already on the NHS assessment pathway, they accepted me for what they call the Assessment A and B (or 1 and 2) - but as I said, that may be what that provider refers to it as. The two appointments were held with separate clinicians, as I think I said in my original reply to you. They were both 60-90 minute diagnostic interviews which went through lots of things including personal history and the effects on life as a child and now.
• At the end of the second appointment (Assessment B for me!) we discussed diagnosis and options, including titration.
• I opted for medication and the titration took about 4-6 weeks from there, in a separate appointment. Each time they produced a report, which was send to my GP surgery to be added to my records.

I've only typed that out in case it's of help to others - I know you've decided not to seek out a second opinion!

The ADHDUK website is absolutely fab IMO, there is so much useful info and advice on there. Hopefully it will help you get some more answers and alternative support x

Ultimately part of the criteria for a diagnosis is the fact that symptoms were present in childhood.

I do understand that unfortunately, for many adults ,that can be tricky and hard to evidence. Did the provider assessing you not ask for someone from childhood to confirm/corroborate your experience? Anyone I've known to get a diagnosis has had evidence, be it from parents or school reports etc. whilst I don't personally have unschool reports there were more than enough examples from childhood given that supported the diagnosis.