ADHD assessment/diagnosis - what's the threshold for the childhood form?

[adhdisabastard]

I'm currently filling out forms as part of the ADHD assessment/diagnosis process. I've read a fair bit about it and I know I'm well over the threshold when it comes to the adulthood form - I've got really severe ADHD symptoms that impact on my life in major ways (and I can't see any other reason for having them) and I can remember having them from the point at which organisation and planning etc was required of me (when I left home). But I'm struggling with the childhood part for several reasons.

Firstly because I was a really good pupil at school. I always did well and was top of my class a lot of the time so my work didn't contain any careless mistakes. I really enjoyed school and had no issue with focusing. But then primary school was a fairly ADHD friendly environment I'd say. The teachers rarely taught for more than a few minutes at a time and then we'd get tasks to do that were designed to be fun and enjoyable and we could chat to our friends while doing them. You could do a quick sum, have a chat, do another sum, laugh at someone's joke, do another sum. Focus didn't really seem to be required for more than a minute or two in any real way

And then also because, I just didn't really do any of the things I struggle with in childhood. My parents had a go at trying to get me to do chores etc but gave up pretty early on and more or less organised and planned my life for me until I left home. I think I was just really hard to motivate (which to me suggests ADHD - fine with things I enjoyed like school but getting me to tidy up was near impossible) but it means there's not that much evidence of these traits in childhood. I know the assessment is an interview and I can explain etc but from what I've read I actually have to score above a certain threshold on both the childhood and adulthood questionnaires to be diagnosed. Is this true and does anyone know what the threshold is or how I should approach this?

I don't want to miss out on the possibility of a diagnosis because I feel like there might as well be a photo of me beside this condition in the textbook! It fits perfectly for my life from the point of leaving home when nothing else does.

I went through ADHD diagnosis on spring this year and had exactly same worries when I did the questionnaire.

I did get a diagnosis and my life has improved beyond measure with medication.

I've got lots more to say on the subject, so ill try to post again in next couple of day.

I listened to this podcast recently:
www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-in-women-symptoms-treatment-support-podcast-337/

Its really interesting. Says women need to have a different set of diagnostic criteria. Specifically referencing the bit about showing symptoms as a young child. The delivery of the podcast is a bit boring but there's loads of interesting content.

Thank you so much Lois! That's very reassuring and I'll check out the podcast!

Just to say I decided to just go ahead and answer best I could with my concerns in mind - I got diagnosed! Delighted! I'd still be interested to hear your thoughts though Lois if you still feel like sharing them though!

Hi ADHDisabastard,

That's great news that you got an ADHD diagnosis! which organization did you get assessed by? I'm looking into getting an assessment as my whole adult life has been hugely affected by it.

Is it something you can just ring the gp about? Looking into hyperactivity/adhd for my son as I wasn't sure if it's just normal child behaviour or something more but I just don't know how approach it with the gp.

@adhdisabastard that's great news.

I was really up front about my lack of childhood symptoms and I would have advised you to be the same. I agonised so much filling in that form and by the end I was convinced I would not get a diagnosis.

However, my psychiatrist was awesome and it quickly became apparent that his primary aim was to treat me. I managed to let go of my need for an ADHD diagnosis in that context. Now I am successfully being treated, the diagnosis again is less important. I went private and he would now like me to move over to a shared care model with GP, however that means I will have to go through another NHS diagnosis and that terrifies me. I'll always feel like I'm faking it - its hard to shift that.

What are your next steps? Do you have a treatment plan in place?

Medication has been transformational for me, but I really need to work on the other pieces of my life - exercise, remembering to eat and drink etc. I also need to work less i think. I'm term time only 4 days a week, but I think going down to three days would be the final piece for me.

Sorry for the delay - the place was called the ADHD centre. I actually chose them because one of the doctors on their books had responded to some paper with a comment that made me think late-onset ADHD was possible. And also because there would be no 6 week wait for medication as seems to be the case at the moment for Psychiatry UK (is that the one that everyone seems to mention on here?) They were more expensive though.

Turned out that even if the doctor did believe in late onset ADHD (I didn't actually ask him) they still have to get enough ticks in various boxes on the childhood forms though. We had to answer very carefully but did find enough examples from my childhood to make the threshold, although we had to keep emphasising that I had no issues at school because I enjoyed it but that there were always issues with anything I didn't enjoy - things like music lessons that I hated! That seemed to be good enough.

Incidentally, I have a sleeping disorder too and while it might seem counterintuitive, sleep deprivation can actually trigger the brain into releasing/producing/accessing (right word?? not sure about the science) more dopamine so being really tired all the time could actually have masked the symptoms. I certainly found my symptoms got worse when I started sleeping better after getting medication although the meds I go can also lead to ADHD-like symptoms so that probably didn't help either!

Your psychiatrist sounds excellent Lois and that sounds like a great approach! I reckon you'd be better having a diagnosis though for all sorts of reasons even though it's the system that makes it hard rather than the doctor in your case by the sounds of things. You know that though, clearly!

I'm just getting tests done through my GP before we can start trying to find the right medication. They've done bloods and an ECG and I have a few more on Monday. No idea how long it will take to find the right pills but I have my fingers crossed it won't take too long!

ps if the medication has changed your life you very obviously have this condition (or if you don't it's something incredibly similar!). I wouldn't feel guilty if you have to interpret the forms in ways that get you the help you need!

Good luck Lovely - whatever you decide to do! Definitely go for the diagnosis if you can!

2Littleboyzmum - I went to my GP first and he did a questionnaire thing over the phone. I scored high enough to be referred to the mental health team although when I heard how long the waiting list was I decided to go private. I'm in Scotland though and we apparently have fewer resources up here so it may be very different where you are. Definitely see a GP and get a second opinion if you need one.