ADHD assessment this week

CobaltRewind · 2025-01-17T23:20:55+00:00

I don’t know how to feel about it. I started to make a list of reasons I feel I have ADHD and then got fed up and just couldn’t finish it. The chaos in my brain is off the scale. I get very down as I just don’t connect with people and have always struggled with working relationships. I’m a teacher and just feel so paranoid all the time that everyone is out to get me. I can’t mention ADHD as an adult as there would be no support at work. All of my children are severely ASD and have ADHD. What will the psychiatrist do, do they need convincing I have it? I am extremely impulsive and make terrible heat of the moment decisions, I’m slightly better now as I’m on mounjaro which seems to help my symptoms, I don’t know what I’m asking.

123Squirrel · 18/01/2025 07:04

Have you not had any pre-assesment forms to complete? Is it an NHS assesment, right to choose or private?

The psychiatrist will ask some questions to rule out other potential conditions and ask questions to check you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and this will then form their report to justify their diagnosis. No you shouldn't feel like you need to plead your case, but they can only work from the information their being provided. The DIVA 2.0 form can be useful for triggering your memory to note down your own examples to help prepare that evidence.

Usually they request an informant report form or interview , ideally a parent or someone who knew you as a child to confirm the presence of symptoms and impact back then, however that's not always possible.

The adult assesments seem to be a bit cut & paste from children's and sometimes the descriptions/questions don't seem to reflect the realities of being an adult that's aware of the negative consequences so tries to modify their behaviour, like you may really want to walk about or leave a meeting but you'll probably remain seated to keep your job and display more subtle fidgeting. So try not to take too literally and note how you feel.

Internal hyperactivity is often overlooked, this can make you feel restless or you've lots of thoughts racing around and unable to grasp an keep focus on one, with difficulty switching them off. It's weird when you start ADHD medication as it makes your mind quieter and feel calmer.

I have seen some ADHD people post that mounjaro has also quietened mind and impulsivity along with cutting out the food noise. Binge eatings is quite common as stimulation seeking and dopamine boost.

ADHD support at work you can request reasonable adjustments and seek Access to Work funding for some ADHD coaching or equipment/ software that may help.

https://adhduk.co.uk/adhd-and-work/

123Squirrel · 18/01/2025 07:13

Sorry I've assumed you're in the UK although I think the diagnostic criteria in the psychiatric manual is fairly standard.

Original poster

CobaltRewind · 18/01/2025 09:33

123Squirrel · 18/01/2025 07:04

Have you not had any pre-assesment forms to complete? Is it an NHS assesment, right to choose or private?

The psychiatrist will ask some questions to rule out other potential conditions and ask questions to check you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and this will then form their report to justify their diagnosis. No you shouldn't feel like you need to plead your case, but they can only work from the information their being provided. The DIVA 2.0 form can be useful for triggering your memory to note down your own examples to help prepare that evidence.

Usually they request an informant report form or interview , ideally a parent or someone who knew you as a child to confirm the presence of symptoms and impact back then, however that's not always possible.

The adult assesments seem to be a bit cut & paste from children's and sometimes the descriptions/questions don't seem to reflect the realities of being an adult that's aware of the negative consequences so tries to modify their behaviour, like you may really want to walk about or leave a meeting but you'll probably remain seated to keep your job and display more subtle fidgeting. So try not to take too literally and note how you feel.

Internal hyperactivity is often overlooked, this can make you feel restless or you've lots of thoughts racing around and unable to grasp an keep focus on one, with difficulty switching them off. It's weird when you start ADHD medication as it makes your mind quieter and feel calmer.

I have seen some ADHD people post that mounjaro has also quietened mind and impulsivity along with cutting out the food noise. Binge eatings is quite common as stimulation seeking and dopamine boost.

ADHD support at work you can request reasonable adjustments and seek Access to Work funding for some ADHD coaching or equipment/ software that may help.

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I’m in the UK and yes I got a lot of forms to fill in. It is a private assessment as I’d be waiting years to get one otherwise. I’ll have a look at the forms you’ve linked to.

Thank you

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