ADHD Assessment for an adult (me)

[ViaRia01]

Hi there,
can anyone advice how I would begin the process for seeking an assessment for adhd? It’s for myself.

For context: I’m 35, female. I have long felt that something about me is not quite right but it’s very hard for me to pinpoint what exactly is going on. I was never great at school or university, disorganised and struggled to complete work to deadlines. Struggled to learn or take charge of my own learning. I was sent for assessment for dyslexia and that was diagnosed but they said it was mild.

I struggled at work - some stuff to do with relationships with people and my way of working seeming not to fit in with colleagues’. Some stuff to do with being distracted and procrastination, which meant I didn’t meet expectations at times.

Now I’m a homemaker and still feel like I’m struggling with that. Not being able to get out the door on time, can’t get on top of tasks that need to be done, leaving things too late and then rushing to get it done, eg buying a birthday gift.

I think most people see me as being on top of things, good at most things but they have no idea about the constant thinking I am doing, trying to stay on track, indecision and general inability to see a task through to completion.

So… first question is how would I seek an assessmen? Second question is does any of that resonate with anyone who has been diagnosed with ADHD?

If I do have ADHD I expect it would be the “inattentive” variety as I don’t seem to have hyperactive or impulsive behaviours.

Thank you in advance for any info or suggestions.

This should help.

https://adhduk.co.uk/diagnosis-pathways/

Private is the quickest but can be costly and not all GPs will accept shared care so you would either have to remain private if you went on meds, or join the NHS waitlist and get another assessment to get NHS treatment. Right to Choose is quicker than straight NHS, although demand is rising. I got referred in April and was told that the NHS wait is 3 years, so went with Psychiatry UK through RTC when waitlist was supposed to be 6 months but it's now more like 9 months.

But the first thing you need is a referral from your GP. Then you can decide where you want that to be sent. Good luck!

Thanks for much @GinnyBee
I am not even sure what I’d say to the GP to be honest and I don’t feel like I’d be taken seriously. Not sure why I think that.

I have done an ADHD check/ quiz online and of course I know that’s not reliable but it came back to say my answers do not suggest ADHD. That’s fine of course but it makes me think what if I’m barking up the wrong tree. Surely these quiz things will be over cautious if anything… and if there was even the slightest chance of ADHD it would say so.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether what I’ve stated above might align with their own experience of ADHD? I just don’t know!

I do understand the best and most reliable approach is to seek a formal assessment. I just am not sure if I’m ready for that especially if it comes back negative (because that will feel like I have no hope of ever feeling at ease)

My experience was very similar. The real crunch for me was doing online assessments from many different providers. I scored VERY high on every test. Only losing points on the hyperactivity questions. I was flagged for poor working memory and PTSD which I also scored very high for. This made so much sense to me, and allowed me, just for a moment to be more accepting of myself. That there may be a reason for my weirdness and failure to thrive on the 'normal' acceptable level.

What I did, was take these filled in online questionnaires to my Dr, and gave examples of each question in depth, to show how it impacts me on a daily basis. The struggle daily is not something any neurotypical will ever understand. With all the evidence provided I was referred. It took me a good year to go from thinking it may be ADHD (thanks to the internet), to acting on the obvious signs.

Have you made any progress with this? You sound very much like me and im just starting to think about taking it further. I'm just so worried my GP will laugh me out the door as I am SO good at masking the way I feel inside and what I struggle with.

Hi all,
As an ADHD coach (*not a doctor) and having to go through the process for my own late diagnosed ADHD I would say the following:

1. ADHD is different in women than men so ensure when looking up symptoms that may be specific to women. Eg. Women with hyperactivity may experience racing thoughts rather than outward hyperactivity-This booklet has helpful info about female ADhD symptoms and the interaction of hormones https://www.linkedin.com/posts/louise-foddy-500780184_adhd-perimenopause-and-the-menopause-activity-7154116624583655424-dAXZ?utm_source=share&utm_medium
2. To be diagnosed with ADHD you need to have examples of ADHD behaviours in childhood
3. make a list of symptoms to take with you so you don’t have to rely on memory- more evidence you have the more confident you can feel presenting this to the GP
4. Take a filled out Right to choose form and filled out ADHD assessment with you for evidence:https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/-you can check whether your results indicate ADHD by using this one: https://embrace-autism.com/asrs-v1-1/
5. Your low score on the ADHD questionnaire could be since women are better at masking it. This test indicates whether you might mask (hide) symptoms: https://embrace-autism.com/cat-q/ It may be ADHD or something with overlapping symptoms such as autism so if your doctor disagrees ask them what they will investigate next.

Lastly I would say get informed. Whether they say yes or no if you understand ADHD and the impact it has on you, you can pursue strategies to help you whether they confirm it or not. Be ready to advocate for yourself- you deserve to be heard! 💪

Thank you that is all really helpful stuff!!

I went to the GP first, and she's got me a psychiatric appointment this month. However, there are questionnaires to fill in, including ones for my DH and DM. I'm very worried about telling them as I know they'll say I don't have it, and my DM will be upset. Any advice on how to handle them would be appreciated!

Hi Feemcgee,
It's really hard for both you and them. If family members don't have up-to-date knowledge about what ADHD is especially for women (likely), they may find it hard to understand why you think you have it, then you will spend your time trying to justify why you do.

Another approach to take is to take snippets of ADHD description (eg. see the booklet I attached above for symptoms more common for women) print it out but deleting the term ADHD and explain when these symptoms have occurred for you and why it is such a concern.

Don't even use the word ADHD to start with because it has (often inaccurate) connotations. You can go for the approach of, 'this has happened to me, remember when....., x is becoming harder ...'

By describing it but not using the word, it helps them listen without judgement and actually hear you, giving them more chance for a 'yes I do remember you saying that was difficult, I have noticed you struggle with x' rather than, 'you don't have ADHD!'

Also worth describing masking in there as some struggles they wont recognise because you probably hid it well!

When DM has to come up with childhood examples of inattention etc.., perhaps come with your own so the onus isn't on them, you can say, 'remember when' and they can use these examples.

It can also help to look up benefits of ADHD- there are lots when you have strategies that work for you, understand how the ADHD brain works and when people close to you know how better to support and make adjustments for your needs.
Good luck!

Thank you so, so much for your advice, it really means a lot to me xxxxx

You’re so welcome !