ADHD - has anyone been diagnosed as an adult?

[SandmanSlim]

I'm pretty sure I have ADHD. But I'm putting off going to the doctors. Has anyone been through this?
Did the GP listen? Was it worth getting a diagnosis?
I realise the irony of posting this rather than booking the appointment - but humour me!

Hi I'm in the same boat, I tick all the boxes and have been to my GP who has been very dismissive and has instead blamed vitamin deficiencies on my symptoms. I'm on prescribed supplements now and have to go back in 5 months for blood tests.
It's really getting me down to be honest, he just won't listen to me at all! I've been on the supplements for a month and there's been no change to my symptoms at all. I honestly don't know how to get him to listen.
Sorry probably not what you want to hear, but prepare yourself for a fight is all I can really advise, try to research symptoms and outline why you fit them, how they affect you, how long for etc the GP will want to see that it's affected you since childhood. I'm just going to keep going back until someone listens. Good luck.

Oh that's frustrating madbum. I hope the GP listens soon! We have one very nice GP in the practise so I'm hoping I can get her and I'm going to take my DH so he can back me up and do the complicated listening if needed.
I am worried about having to fight, and wasting everyone's time. I'm not exactly good at strategy and sustained effort.....

Mostly I'm bumping but I have booked a GP appointment. Yesterday I ruined a play date for my daughter by leaving it too late to finalise the details and then when DH went to cook dinner I had missed out a major ingredient on the shopping list out. So fed up of letting people down when I'm trying so hard. Poor DH looked very resigned.

Sorry to hear of your struggles today sandman, I can definitely relate and know the feeling of guilt and frustration and the thoughts of 'why can't I just do simple things like 'normal' people' it's souls destroying when you're trying so hard to get things right and still manage to get things wrong regardless.
I really hope you get some positive support from your GP to get assessed.

One of my step-sisters did recently (aged early 30s). I think her mum may have pushed her into it. She said the diagnosis was such a relief - she had always felt 'different' and it was helpful to have an explanation for it. She's gone on to take medication which has helped. Best of luck.

Thanks Madbum and Lions, it's good to know diagnosis does happen and that I'm not alone failing at being a grown up. Popped around my parents last night as they are away and they had left me copious notes and arrows in very obvious places (despite having given me verbal and texting instructions) and it made me realise that people already make allowances for my brain. A diagnosis (if it happens) will just give a reason.

I've recently been diagnosed- but privately. The gp refused to refer me unless a mental health professional would support the referral- which was impossible as I'm not under the care of mental health services! I think it cost about £400- the psychiatrist will prescribe me medication for it but I have to get blood tests done first and as you can imagine I've not made much progress organising those.
I've thought I had it for years but having 2 young children has made things unmanageable and prompted me to seek help.

My dh was diagnosed about 6 years ago.

It was really simple. We both went to gp and explained why we thought he had it. She was amazing and referred us to psychiatrist who diagnosed very quickly.

DH has been on meds ever since, which he says really helps. He has had loads of support and allowances made at work following diagnosis.

He had previously been diagnosed by gp with anxiety and depression, which are probably co morbid conditions of his ADHD. This might explain gp's quick referral to psychiatrist.

Thank you! It's nice to hear it sometimes happens fairly painlessly. And great info about the cost of private. £400 is not un-doable so it's good to know there is that option. It's ages until the appointment (July!) but fingers crossed!

Might be worth also enquiring about a relatively new test for ADHD called QB (?).

It tests concentration, impulsively and hyperactivity.

Oh thanks super, I'll looking into it. 🙂 Mumsnet is full of helpful people.

I'm currently having an assessment for ASD that includes ADHD. I just went to my doctor and they referred me to a relevant clinic, but it took months for me to receive an assessment appointment!

I'm under diagnosis at the moment.

I was wrongly diagnosed with bipolar but after I was seen by a new team member a few months back who, after half an hour, said I was classic ADHD, reiterated by a new therapist, and then they refered me back to my GP. I'm off all meds at the moment, and am waiting to see what's offered next.

I don't think I want to be medicated though as I seem to be managing quite well, albeit highly strung and the anxiety has been unreal (but I'm having a lot of issues that would cause anxiety in even the most NT person at the moment!)

I was dx last year. 2 of my DC have it.

I went to the GP; she referred me, and after a very long wait I got seen by the ADHD clinic. I'm being seen about every 3 - 6 months.

In my case I was having issues at work and wanted something concrete to back up why I was struggling.

So I thought I would (very boringly) update. Had my appointment today. I had written everything down so I went through it and the GP was very nice and is going to refer me. Probably a long wait now. She did say if I can get evidence from my childhood like school reports or examples from my parents that might help. I'm not looking forward to telling my parents.