Adult ADHD Assessment

[LittleMissTwix]

Hi all - Looking for a bit of advice/guidance from anyone who's been through an adult ADHD assessment.

I've come to the conclusion I may well have ADHD... This was first suggested to me by my (frankly abusive) ex-partner and I refused to accept it as a possibility... however curiousity got the better of me. I've since read up on the symptoms and much as I hate to think he might be right about anything, it would explain a hell of a lot. I'm very uncomfortable with the idea that this might end up being my label, but equally... I think ADHD medication has the potential to save my health (I've been self-medicating with stimulants (ephedrine) for years having noticed this is the only way I can focus on anything/get anything done... and buying dodgy online pills from Canadian pharmacies is probably going to be the death of me).

So... I'm considering booking myself in for a private ADHD assessment (I know I could wait years on the NHS). Looking online, there are a huge number of clinics offering this, at wildly different pricepoints... and I'm struggling to identify which ones are legit.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone used a private clinic (I'm especially interested in ones that offer online consultations, because I'd struggle to find the time to travel for a f2f assessment) that they could recommend?
2. Do any of these assessments ever conclude that you DON'T have ADHD? I'm just getting the vibe that you're essentially paying for a positive diagnosis. Do they help identify any other issue(s) you might have, if it isn't ADHD?
3. Is there anything else I should know before proceeding? If I am diagnosed as ADHD, I wouldn't want a single person other than my GP to know about it. I'm conscious there might be a custody battle at some point in my future... is there any way my ex could get a court to access my medical records, and use it against me?

Any other guidance/insights appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Dr Collinge from Bristol is very good and does online appointments, as do psychiatry UK. The waiting lists are very long all round at the moment though.

I don’t think any doctor would diagnose you if they didn’t think you had it. That would be absolutely unethical.

I don’t think it could be used against you unless you were behaving dangerously and putting your DC at risk. So many people are neurodivergent and make excellent parents!

I went private due to NHS waiting list length. Only found out very recently that not all private organisations' diagnoses are NHS recognised. Turns out there are NHS recognised ones though so look for their affiliation if you are wanting to try medication route without paying huge fees for repeat meds.

Thank you - I'll take a look at both of these.

Oh wow, there's something I hadn't considered. Thank you.

Hi, I recently (4months ago) got diagnosed with ADHD and I'm mid 30's and female (pretty average age of diagnosis for us unfortunately). Took me a while to pluck up the courage but spoke to my GP. Said I'd done some research (reputable sources only!) after having a suspicion and the GP was great. They had to fill in a form which included a bit for me to do with 6 questions "how frequently are u affected by"...

I then got a referral to a consultant specialist and ADHD team who had an hour video call and told me then and there I had it and the level of severity. They then asked what treatment options I wanted (I hadn't looked in to this so had a brief discussion about options) I opted for meds and referral for educationt/tips/advice kind of social input. This referral still hasn't happened but from asking GP and speaking to consultant and getting diagnosis I'd say 2months.

As youre concerned about going through it and being told youre not ADHD (i was too) it might help to do a self assessment form ADHDUK (adhduk.co.uk/adult-adhd-screening-survey/ ) which gives you an idea. Write down the symptoms you think you have as the GP will ask and you'll probably blank when asked. Have a list of stuff to ask before having a consult for the same reason.

You don't have to tell anyone, I haven't announced it generally. But the consultant did say you have to let the DVLA know if it affects your driving. Other than that just do it for yourself. You don't have to worry about having a "label" but it deffo just helped explain a LOT of stuff when I look back and it helped me to be kind to myself. When I've struggled I can now see why and why it wasn't my fault. It's allowed DH to understand why I have meltdowns when I'm over stimulated and he can ask me what I need, where as before I didn't realise I was struggling with over stimulation. It's helped me pick up tips for how to help concentrate as task initiation is HARD!

If nothing else just do it so you can be kind to yourself and work with yourself to help, not just keep trying to plod on against how your brain works. I didn't do it to get a diagnosis/label, I did it to know why and how to work with, not against myself.

Good luck, whatever happens.

Gosh, that's quick. I had a GP referral almost a year ago and still haven't been assessed by NHS. Hence my taking the private route. They (NHS) sent me a letter about 3 months after referral, which looked like the ones you get to book an appointment, but when I called to book they said it was just to run through some informal questions then be placed on a waiting list.

Perhaps it depends on where in the UK?

I was diagnosed in a different country but yes, they absolutely went through a checklist of other possible issues. I recognised narcissism, autism and depression in the checklists I was given although didn't meet the criteria for any of those. I did meet the criteria for OCD, but as this was borderline my doctor felt it was likely a crossover/coping mechanism. As time goes on and I get the ADHD better handled I'm less sure about this so might revisit it with another practitioner in future, but anyway, that was my experience.

I got f

Hi, hope you manage to get a diagnosis, I've been asking my gp for years and I've not got anywhere
I'm going to send you pm

My son has just been diagnosed at age 20 with traits of ADHD and ASD . He has been waiting years and is actually much better and doing a job he loves but he does struggle with focus. He has been prescribed Elvanse which he wants to try but I don’t want his personality to change . Does anybody have experience of this drug? I am also concerned that he will lose his appetite during the day as he does a physical job and needs food . How has anybody coped with this please.

I am monitored regularly on the meds and have to report side effects, including weight, BP, and pulse but I am not on this specific drug, although it will be similar. I have dropped my appetite slightly but noticably. However I am fat and need the help with losing weight so am fine with this, if this happens for your son then they will balance this side effect with the benefits of the meds, it will likely depend on the dose he's on. I still get hungry, so maybe he will find that in his job he will still be hungry and will know to eat? If he is aware of it and can have regular breaks/reminders to eat, even if he doesn't have an appetite, he can still eat.

I would say if you're worried that he already struggles then you would like to help with this, the tablets don't take away the personality, they are still themselves, more so if you like, because their struggle to just function is removed/lessened. It's like saying I worry taking antidepressants will make me not me, no they could just make you less depressed and more able to be yourself. Not remove your personality. I've been on antidepressant meds too and have heard this argument for both meds/conditions and its not something I understand... why would u want them to continue to struggle?
I wish your son all the best whatever he decides.

@MrsAquaman thank you for your comprehensive response. It has reassured me a bit . I do want my son to feel better and he wants to try the meds so fingers crossed . I hope you continue to feel better too .

No problem. At first I didnt notice a difference but DH pointed out I'd got loads done. Now I'm on a higher dose and can't believe how easy it is to go from thinking "I need to do the washing up" to then just go and DO the washing up. It's mental that this is what it's like for non ADHD people. And now I look back I've got so much done in the last few months compared to the last few years! Deffo glad I did it!

@MrsAquaman that’s good to hear .

Medication changing people's personality is a harmful myth, don't worry. The only aspect of personality it can change is helping people be less reactive emotionally (anger) which is generally a good thing!

Hi everyone,
sorry to jump on an old thread but I’ve just found it whilst searching.

I suspect that I (31f) have ADHD. I organised an assessment for ADD for myself through college age 16 and was told by the assessor (NHS) that ADD doesn’t exist and I don’t have ADHD because I was giving him eye contact. Well I know now that that is complete tosh so I’m unsure whether to go for a second opinion.

What did you feel a diagnosis would do for you as adults? I’m not sure what I’m hoping to achieve. @LittleMissTwix did you get your diagnosis? If so, has it changed anything?

Thanks everyone!

@OddshoesOddsocks I'm booked for it on October 26th - will report back then!

For me, I think an adult diagnosis would enable me to get treatment (medication) and hopefully make my life MUCH easier. As I think I said in my post way-back-when, I've been self-medicating for years with stimulants, and can't really function (i.e. focus) without them. Buying unregulated drugs on the internet and smoking myself silly aren't sustainable long term. I want to look after my mind AND body... so fingers crossed it works out that way x

Good luck @Waxwing23, that’s great news! I have everything crossed for you!

I haven’t self medicated as such (I wouldn’t know where to start!) but I am finding my coping mechanisms are only getting me so far and my biggest concern is driving. I’ve been learning for years but have never passed, even moved from manual lessons to automatic as manual was too much. I just zone out when I drive which terrifies me and I miss things like speed signs… and cyclists…. I’m scared to really commit to driving as I don’t trust myself to focus!

I'm the OP (forgot original log-in details!)
I had my online assessment yesterday with Dr De Waal at Berkelely phsyciatrists... and have been diagnosed with ADHD. Classic case apparently! I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. He was lovely, super easy to talk to, and very efficient, clearly been doing this a long time. I just can't shake the notion that he'd decided on a positive diagnosis within 5 minutes. Maybe it was THAT obvious and everything about me screams ADHD. I don't know. Part of me really didn't want a positive diagnosis, so maybe it's just that.
Anyway, I'm being started on Elvanse (just waiting for the meds to arrive) so we'll see how that goes.
Whole thing is insanely experience. So far I've paid £700 for the initial assessment, £100 for the medication and £150 for a followup app in 6 weeks time. I'll be charged £100 for every month of meds (until I can hopefully get transferred to the NHS, once my optimum drug/dose is deteremined) and £100 for the report that my GP will need to take over my care. I really hope medication does make a major difference to my life because these bills have made my eyes water!!!

Hi

glad I’ve come across this thread, I too think I’ve ADHD (f36) though my local mental health team aren’t doing referrals at all for the foreseeable future due to no funding, so I am going to have to go the private route. Which I can’t afford at the minute. Currently started to take AD’s to help.

@MrsAquaman your post is so spot on to me

It's allowed DH to understand why I have meltdowns when I'm over stimulated and he can ask me what I need, where as before I didn't realise I was struggling with over stimulation.

I really need an assessment and medicated for it, I feel so frustrated

@Waxwing23 congratulations on your diagnosis! I completely understand the mixed feelings, it’s a huge thing to come to terms with isn’t it? especially with the eye watering wills that has come with it! 😮

Good luck with the meds, I really hope they make a difference!

Has anyone watched Tanya Bardsley: ADHD and me on ITV?

Ive watched the first part and burst into tears! She’s verbalising so many things that I feel that I’ve never heard anyone else say before!

I'm 45. I've without a doubt got it, waiting for assessment too.
I can go back to the age of ten and give them years of examples.
I was kindly offered a private assessment option from my mother but not taken that route due to then having to pay £200 for my medication. I've waited this long so I'm buckling down for the ride.
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