ADHD diagnosis 2 year waiting list

[Hearttakesover]

I've been referred by my gp to the mental health team who today have written to me to say that the specialist waiting list is 2 years!!!

I've looked at private but the cheapest I can find is £750 and there is no way I can afford that 😪

Has anyone any other suggestions or avenues I can take? I seriously can't wait 2 years, the undiagnosed ADHD is ruining my relationships with family

I'm 41, just got diagnosed after a two year waiting list. The was I figure it, I've spent 39 years undiagnosed, another two years is nothing. Plus then it's like another year for meds titration. There's lots you can do to help yourself in the meantime. Lots of support groups and coping strategies. Relying on meds isn't the way to go as you may be unsuitable for meds or they may not agree with you.

Do you have any suggestions for coping strategies? My family aren't talking to me and I have no support

My son has just had a diagnosis from adhd 360. It's a similar price but you can pay over three months

In our area it's 3.5 years

I’m am seeking mine at 41 and been told similar. I may have some ideas to help as I manage mine well x

A first line approach often involves diet. Remove sugars and sweetners from your diet and supplement with very high quality fish oils.

There are also coping strategies which might help such as making lists, using timers and alarms, having a set routine and place for things - eg is your handbag always in the same place?

Look into sensory aids as well - a weighted blanket to help with sleep, a studded cushion to provide stimulation and reduce fidgeting.

What are your main symptoms? Are you scatty and hyper or inattentive and daydreamy? Or both?

Also with private there are follow ups and private prescriptions until the NHS take over. Cost me £1800 for my 23 yo DD. I'm not a wealthy woman, have been a single parent if 4 all my adult life just about. But it was worth it and I'm glad I did it.

I'm both, I have sudden bursts of energy where I absolutely have to do something like have a full scale clean and tidy of the house. I then burnout and can't be arsed and become messy and disorganised again which then irritates me and the cycle begins again. I overspend, zone out when people are talking to me about a subject that doesn't interest me, binge eat, can't deal with alot of noise, can't deal with noisy eaters, one min hyper the next min want to sleep, spend the whole day masking and then come the evening and I'm so exhausted and burned out I have no time for my husband. The list goes on. I suppose its the adhd in me that wants this resolved now - now I've been given a label for it I want it cured. Interestingly I felt better when I went keto but didn't understand why do thr sugar thing is helpful

Interestingly I felt better when I went keto but didn't understand why do thr sugar thing is helpful

I'm convinced the 'sugar doesn't affect mood' advice isn't applicable to us ADHDers. Me and DD are both affected!

What do you hope to gain from diagnosis? You can work with your behaviour right now. Medication you could try non-prescription stimulants like caffeine.

Hi, you’ve described me to a T! I’ve found lions Mane is helping me. I’m also on the waiting list for adhd and been told 12 months.

also waiting on autism but no timeline on that

I'm an avid tea drinker and occasionally drink instant coffee - do I need to try something stronger like espresso?

Try it. It doesn't work on me but does on DD. Only 70% of us react well to stimulants. Worth finding out though.

I am being referred by my GP. I have my blood tests and and an ecg booked for next week.

My area doesn't do 'right to choose' and I'm wondering how long the wait will be. Looking for ideas in the meantime. I have fish oil but obvs forget to take them consistently.

I suppose I hope for someone to confirm I'm not mad. I've been told all my life I'm difficult and I just want that confirmation in my life - rightly or wrongly

I can see that. Having a diagnosis is only half that battle though. Knowing what is happening is important and you can do that without one.

For example, my date blindness. I thought that was just me. Nope, and now I know that, I smile when someone else says, "honestly it could have been 4 years ago or 6 months, I have no idea". Particularly useful as I often have to talk to the police and they don't understand, "when did it happen?" Me: <shrug>

Just hang out with the ADHD crowd nine and see what fits.

I have no personal experience of this practice but a one hour appointment for adult ADHD is £360: psychiatry-uk.com/fees/. That doesn’t include meds or the follow-up appointment.

Hi OP. Try the ADHD Foundation. I have had dealings with them first hand and they are so helpful. They have a very informative website and also provide diagnostic assessments.
The other poster was right too about strong coffee being calming for those with ADHD. And vigorous exercise can be really helpful too. I hope you are able to find some support.

I never knew this about strong coffee!

You can be referred here by your gp under right to choose. They have a template letter on their website that you can add a few bits of information in, print, sign and send to your gp.

I've just booked an assessment with ADHD 360 for £170, for December which was the earliest they had available. There are further costs following diagnosis that if I decide to go ahead with treatment but if it's just a diagnosis you want it might be a better option?

Hi OP, I am same as u have described, I’ve only realised as past few months it could be ADHD. GP has referred me but it’s a longggg waiting list. I can’t afford to go private either. I’m currently trying to find AD’s that suit me in meantime. It’s absolutely ruining my relationships too, hence why I’ve started AD’s to help. Good luck x

Thanks all - just to update ive gone down the right to choose path and been referred by my GP to psychiatry-uk which is about a 6 month waiting list. That seems alot more doable in my mind. Ive started looking into coping mechanisms too and things are really starting to make sense now the more i read up about it

I'm so glad OP. Learning to work with it, not against it, really helps.