How on earth do I access ADHD support now?

[Blankspace4]

I’m mid 30s, all the self diagnostic tests show I have it, my brain feels like it’s either at 500mph or utterly numb when I’m burned out. My emotional state is a wreck.

the NHS is clearly a no go due to the waiting lists and under funding. I’ve tried two private providers in the last 6 months, one of which told me it’s waiting lists were closed and the other insisted on a childhood questionnaire which just isn’t possible for me.

now that panorama has been on along with a whole load of media on adhd I feel like it’s going to be impossible to access anything.

I’m on the verge of going to the doctors for depression and anxiety medication as I feel that might just numb me.

is there ANY way? Money is no object. I’m not rich by any means but this is
ruining my life

OP you are catastrophizing (which is also an ADHD thing).
Money is usually a barrier to diagnosis but as this isn't a problem for you then you should be fine.
Find an ADHD clinic that a) the NHS accepts for shared care and/or b) Is on an insurer's panel... then you'll know that they're legit.

Also which ones did you try?

I am waiting to be assessed through the NHS. Look up 'right to choose' as I was able to chose to go through psychiatry UK on the NHS. I believe the wait is still around 6 months for assessment but that's compared to around 4 years in my area.

I'm also mid 30's and like you, struggling more and more with the symptoms. My GP prescribed sertraline for depression (which I don't have!) and honestly, it's been a waste of time for me as it doesn't help at all.

With regards to the childhood aspect, the initial questionnaire asked me about my symptoms in childhood (I had lots!) but I didn't need another person to answer this on my behalf so don't let that put you off. Good luck, I know how awful it is to live with and how many barriers seem to be in the way of diagnosis.

I tried priory group who said my local service was full and they could only see me in 6 weeks time at a clinic 100 miles away, and another private clinic which offers consultant psychiatry services. So despite both of those being private I’ve not been able to get in front of anyone. I did challenge the need for the childhood questionsrr (I have some quite specific circumstances that make that difficult) and asked to see a psychiatrist anyway but they said no and then ignored my follow ups.

All I know is Google, but I’m just desperate to see someone and both know that I’m not going crazy, and access some medication which I feel is going to be the only answer

I’ve lived with this since my teens and masked for so long, it’s almost like now I know (99% certain) I have it, I feel I’m stuck until I address it as it’s dominating my life

@theginge really? You didn’t need a parent etc to fill that in? The other clinic made out that was absolutely mandatory like a door slamming in my face. Then they asked if there was a teacher - I moved schools 6 times and left school 20 years ago - there won’t be a teacher who could do that!

Sorry you’re feeling this way OP.

I have to say though apart from meditation there is no real ADHD support. Is it meditation you’re hoping for?

Meditation or medication?! I’ve tried the former. My brain can’t stay still. I am willing to try medication. I’ve tried everything else - talking therapies, list making, self awareness etc etc. it’s like my brain is broken and getting worse, especially the rejection sensitivity and executive function

So you've been offered an appointment in 6 weeks 100 miles away?
And also the choice of a consultant psychiatric appointment?
So what's the problem?

Fucking hell yes I meant medication. It’s been a long day OP

I'd go for the appointment 100 miles away if you're struggling, you may as well get on the waiting list as well as time carries on ticking regardless and all that. NHS assessments have quite a thorough section on childhood just to be aware.

@WindowsSmindows no, that’s not quite right. I was offered an appointment 100 miles away 6 weeks from that time (which was now a couple of months ago - given all the noise on the condition I expect it would be even longer away now)

I wasn’t offered a consultant psychiatrist appt with the other provider because I couldn’t get the childhood survey completed by anyone and they weren’t prepared to see me without it. I did try. It upset me a lot.

I absolutely didn't need that and couldn't find somebody anyway! My parents wouldn't have given the answers needed as I was just a lazy, disorganised daydreamer as a child!! I've learnt to mask as a teen/adult so a lot of people don't see it in me anyway.

My husband filled in a questionnaire about how I am now but that's it.

I’m not looking to use the NHS, I know the waiting lists are immense and I do have the means to self pay. But it still seems very difficult to access

So why didn't you take the appointment you were offered months ago? 100 miles is just a couple of hours on a bus.

@WindowsSmindows im regretting that choice now. Just getting the bloody appointments booked is a trauma, which is evidence of a symptom in itself perhaps.

Adhd Surrey is who I went with; I'd look them up.

Thank you @pennycoiny

I went the private route used Vicki George - the ADHD Nurse after a lot of research.

theadhdnurse.co.uk/

Good luck x

Thank you @toooldtobeamum

@Blankspace4 what @theginge said. I went to Psychiatry-UK too. Took 18 months in total, but so glad I didn’t give up. Don’t worry about the childhood questionnaire; just answer what you can. A lot of people don’t have anyone they can ask.

I was diagnosed via Psychiatry UK via right to choose pathway so it is contracted & funded by the NHS. They also understood that having childhood informant & school reports isn't always possible as an adult. They ask for people who know you well to complete forms and go off patients childhood memories and there is another diagnosis tool they can use when is lack of childhood evidence.

Privately the medication titration can work out expensive and GPs also don't have to take over shared care for prescribing once settled on a dose which can leave you paying around £60-120+ month on meds, a private prescription fee and the annual reviews and may refer to local provision (who may or may not accept private diagnosis) so remember to factor in those costs not just an assessment fee.

https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/

https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/righttochoosesupport/?ref=share

My friends GP brought up the terrible panorama show and said they wouldn't refer to psychiatry UK (who weren't even featured) but it's literally your ' right to choose' where you receive treatment so while they maybe ignorant and try to force referral to local service, they cannot legally block your choice of referral. They are waiting to see now where the referral ends up and hoping someone in practice put them straight so doesn't have hassle & extra time of complaints.

No advice OP but I've just turned 30 and been on anxiety meds for 3 years now...I actually have many signs of adhd not anxiety. Done many online tests which suggest I do in-fact have adhd. Wait times for gps are ridiculous so I haven't yet addressed it. Was advised though to go private but was warned it was expensive. All makes sense now though, for years I've just thought it was anxiety

My husband recently received an NHS diagnosis via ADHD 360. All online and whilst the waiting list took a while, everything has been really easy since the appointment.

He didn't need any third party to complete forms. Like @theginge his parents just thought he was a lazy, disorganised, selfish child. Makes me v cross!

Do see your GP about anxiety/depression medication as they will help. And ignore the ableist Panorama programme!

‘Privately the medication titration can work out expensive and GPs also don't have to take over shared care for prescribing once settled on a dose which can leave you paying around £60-120+ month on meds, a private prescription fee and the annual reviews and may refer to local provision (who may or may not accept private diagnosis) so remember to factor in those costs not just an assessment fee. ‘
@123Squirrel Weren’t you given any choice in this? I was told (by Psy-UK) the NHS will fund either assessments and titration or therapy. I was advised to choose the former because of the costs. I was then passed to my GP (‘shared care plan’ - tho all GP does is prescribe) and have been unable to access therapy, even though I was willing to pay.