ADHD assessment for adult female - what to expect

[Brightstar84]

The fact I am typing this at half 4 in the morning says it all.

I have long suspected I have ADHD and tried to pursue an NHS diagnosis pre covid but that never progressed and is now looking like I will need to go private. I am lucky enough that I can (just about) afford this and I think I need to because of the increased impact the suspected ADHD is having on my life.

I honestly feel like I’m going crazy and my dysfunction at work is getting harder and harder to mask. To the point I wake up stressing in the middle of the night about how crap I am at my job and all the things I haven’t got done. I sit there in paralysis during the day and literally cannot do the things I need to do unless they are urgent or exciting in some way. I’m also an emotional rollercoaster and use alcohol and sometimes painkillers just to feel numb whenever I can. I mask very well but this is just exhausting me.

Sorry for the ramble.

What I’d find really helpful to know (and will help me with the paralysis of booking the appointment) is what to expect from the assessment. The clinic I’m looking at says it’s a 90 min assessment online - what to expect? Will that be a conversation? An online ‘test’? I’m worried with both tbh because will my masking take over, I’m so accustomed to presenting a different outward competent version of myself vs what goes on in my head.

I don’t even know what the next step would be (medication?) but I’ve got so many worries - would this appear on my health record and affect my job? Do I have to declare for things like travel insurance? What if they say it’s not adhd and it’s something else? (Like I’m for want of a better word, crazy)

help and guidance really appreciated. Thank you for anyone who’s stuck through reading this

Sent you a pm.

My adult son had an online assessment recently. They sent some questionnaires before hand, covering birth, childhood, adolescence and present times, and asking how often he felt this way or had that problem.
Then the online assessment was face to face with a psychologist who really went through the same things but in more depth. There was no functional assessment, although I’m sure he was assessing body language too (eg when the cat walked in DS was distracted).
The diagnosis was given there and then and treatment was discussed - options being medication and/or psychosocial training, and a follow up appointment in a month to see how it’s going.
That was NHS btw. HTH

I think it’ll really prepare you for what to except if you type “adult ADHD uk” into tik tok. There’s a lot of people speaking about the process of them getting diagnosed and what to expect at every step of the way. Also look in your right to choose. If you just Google ADHD right to choose it should be helpful to you. X

Thank you very much. I’m so frustrated I can’t use the NHS for it, especially considering I’ve paid in all my life and never really needed anything from it. When I need it, it’s not been there and I’m now at breaking point

The private clinic has told me I’ll need the input of someone who knew me between the ages of 5-12. This is really really difficult for me as I’m not close with my family and I’m so very private regarding medical stuff too. Is there any way to get around this?

Oh, @Brightstar84 I have no advice and I have not been diagnosed but have suspected it for a while. The part about work, I totally get. I'm exactly the same. I did start making a to-do list but even that has fallen by the wayside. Every night I promise myself that tomorrow will be the day I get my arse in gear and get shit done.

I haven't sought a diagnosis but I am looking into therapy which I hope will help in some ways.

All the best 🌸

Placemarking as you are me.

Why can't you use the NHS? There is right to choose and some areas have better provision than others. I waited for 10 months for an assessment with a renowned psychologist through the NHS so speak to your GP first.

Ideally input from someone who knew you when you were younger is needed but it is not always possible. I imagine then it is self reporting but a decent psychologist team would likely want a greater spread of references so they can be sure it is not just a short term reaction to life.

For me I had to complete a lot of questionnaire style assessments first, luckily my Mum could provide a good number of school reports. My Mum and Husband completed questionnaires too. I then had an indepth interview and again my Mum and Husband were interviewed separately. I then had a final interview and received my diagnosis.

Hello OP, please see here for info on Right To Choose adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
I don’t know if you’ve come across ADHD uk’s online support groups- they are good, esp the ones ones for women.
Thanks for your post and good luck!! I’m in similar timeline: was referred a year before COVID by my GP after a lifetime of complete bafflement, 4 years nothing doing, job disintegrating since WFH etc. So I’m going to fill in these forms ( soon 😁) apparently the wait by this route is weeks/months as opposed to years. I really hope things start looking up for you. Hang in there x your not wrong

Sorry it wasn't a psychologist but a clinical psychiatrist!

I had my husband do the form as he's known me 15 years. As far as i know they'd preferably have someone who knew you as a child but if not, someone who has known you a long time.

I found it interesting to know that oestrogen levels affect adhd. I think mine (undiagnosed, but I’m pretty certain) has become more noticeable as I enter the perimenopause stage of my life.

What has the GP said about NHS referrals? My son’s took about 5 months - although I think the GP gave them a nudge as it was quite urgent.
I thought that was quite reasonable, having been through the autism pathway.

The last conversation I had with a GP regarding a referral was 2019 and then it all got lost during covid and I’ve now moved area and GP so starting afresh. With the way I’m feeling I can’t face going to talk to my GP and doing battle with a condition they don’t see (in my view) as serious but is ruining my life at the moment. It shouldn’t be the case I have to pay to go private but it’s the way it is. I don’t know if I can progress the referral though without the childhood form