Postpartum anxiety and ADHD assessment

[Kstar7]

I've recently booked ADHD assessment privately. I've struggled my whole life and was always possibly mis-diagnosed as anxious, but looking into ADHD it ticks all the boxes for me and explains my whole life.

Since giving birth 7 months ago i've struggled much more, unable to use usual coping and masking mechanisms.

However, GP has said it's postpartum anxiety and prescribed Sertraline, and was very dismissive of my ADHD mention, hence i booked private.

In the assessment form for my private ADHD diagnosis it asks about any current mental health issues and medication - if i mention postpartum anxiety diagnosis and Sertraline, is this likely to affect the outcome of their assessment? Would they just think i'm anxious, or be unable to give me any meds for ADHD due to Sertraline? grateful for any advice / views.

When you have the assessment, then you will know for sure.

I sought an official diagnosis for ADHD after I had my first child in 2021 as the ADHD traits went haywire. Especially when I returned to work. I also was perscribed Steraline by my GP and it made me way worse. I nearly lost my job, and my relationship. But that was just my experience with SSRIs.

Due to the long wait on the NHS I went private and had my official diagnosis last December. I'm currently taking a mood stabiliser so had to disclose that at the clinic. I'm still going to be prescribed the ADHD meds, they shouldn't affect eachother.

My assessment was made up of 6 different tests and a 2 hour face to face. If you have ADHD, they will certainly pick it up. There are a couple of self diagnostic questionnaires you could fudge if you wanted to but you can't with the online focus tests. Also in the face to face the assessor will pick up a lot of cues like fidgeting etc.

I've found out since that for women, ADHD gets worse with hormonal fluctuations. It certainly did for me. I've recently had my second child and my ADHD is back with a vengeance. Throughout pregnancy though I was very on top of things, on time and calm.

You might find once diagnosed, and in the ADHD medication, you no longer need the Stertraline.

Thanks for your comment. I posted few months ago, since then was diagnosed privately with ADHD. I tried two stimulant medication and it did not work for me. Also sertraline did not work. May I ask what mood stabiliser are you taking and it is helping? I think i need to try some more options.... yes I also felt ADHD traits much stronger due to hormonal changes, plus sleep depravation, plus dealing with a very demanding baby (he's now 12 months and also possibly ND...).

Hi, it's Lamotrigine. It took several months to get the dosage right for me. You have to titrate up very slowly. It can affect word recall and memory but the effect on my mood was almost instantaneous. After 2 years the side effects have improved. It does make me tired, so I have most of it at night. I've read some people have the opposite, as in they are more energetic.
It does help with my ADHD, although it wasn't prescribed for it at the time. Brainzyme focus pro supplements and Neuromind (from Holland & Barrett) have also helped.

Thanks for the info. I haven't heard of mood stabilisers before (just antidepressants or antidepressants anxiety meds, not sure how it differs to it) so will try to read up about this and see if it might be something I'd like to try.