ADHD diagnosis

[adhdme2019]

Wasn’t sure whether to post this in work or health!

After seeing a psychiatrist regarding ADHD and being put on anti depressants (insert eye roll here) I’m hopefully seeing him again soon and will explain that while the anti depressants are improving my life very slightly in general - all of my ADHD symptoms are still there and are making my life very difficult.

Basically my question is if I am diagnosed officially do I need to disclose this to future employers? Obviously I wouldn’t need to tell my current employer. I’m more thinking of if I were to apply for a job and on a form was specifically asked about any health issue ... would I need to tell them?

Thanks

I don’t know the answer to that, but why hasn’t he allowed you to try Ritalin or similar to help your symptoms?

I hope you don't mind, OP, but can I lurk on your thread?

I'm in the process of trying to get help for what I believe is ADHD. I'm on a waiting list for CBT before they will consider an assessment for ADHD. I'll probably have completely self destructed by the time I get any useful help for my issues.

My dh has adhd, he was diagnosed by a specialist and he said right from the start that anti depressants are not at all suitable for treatment of adhd.
You need to see someone who understands the condition, the right medication will improve your life/symptoms massively.

You don’t need to disclose this to an employer, but there are pros and cons to whatever you choose. Take your time with this decision

It's entirely up to you if you disclose - as far as I'm aware, there's no law (in the UK at least) requiring anyone other than you and any relevant medical professionals treating you know about any diagnosis.

Probably worth pointing out that with the right medication, while it doesn't fix everything, any symptoms would be a lot less noticeable to an employer too.

Also echoing what the others said above. Unfortunately the NHS will often not diagnose and throw anti-depressants at you instead unless you're (and I quote) "lying in a ditch". If you have a job, married, children.. you can't possibly have it Quite why they refuse to diagnose and medicate the correct decision but it's okay to chuck anti-depressants at the wrong problem so all it means is that you care less about how much you can't cope I have no idea. I can't see the logic in turning down making someone more productive and able to cope with a small bill for ADHD meds in favour of making them need a lifetime of therapy and anti-depressants and struggling with employment and parenting.

Doesn't help ADHD diagnosis is set up to favour men, and/or the hyperactive type and women with the inattentive type slip under the radar time and time again. It's worth trying the NHS if money is short, but it's difficult to get far unless you get lucky and can get past the gatekeepers and then happen to get the right doctor. It can cost quite a bit but if you have the money, often going private and picking the right doctor who understands women present differently will ultimately save time and money.

No, you don't have to disclose a dx to an employer, but that also means they are in no position to make any reasonable adjustments for you.

See a different psychiatrist, no-one should be prescribing anti-d's for suspected ADHD, it should be dx then stimulants.

I was upset in the appointment with him because I was frustrated - he was asking me so many questions which I just didn’t feel were relevant (I’m sure they were to him) and was definitely just trying to label me as being depressed and struggling with life. I am struggling with life and all it asks of me but I am a million percent not depressed. I think I knew going in that I wasn’t going to really get anywhere and when that was confirmed I was upset and crying.

I’m on a group for adults with ADHD and honestly every single day I’m seeing posts I could have written.

If I have no luck the next time I see him I think I’ll bite the bullet and go private.

I don’t think none specialists really get adhd. Look up Russell Berkeley’s videos on you tube. He is very knowledgeable. Also the adhd foundation is v helpful.

Sorry Russell Barkley.

Op, if you can afford it (and are comfortable with it) I'd go private.
Dh was told the average wait in our area was 2 years to see a specialist and then the wait to receive treatment etc In some parts of the country it's up to 6 years!
Dh had one face to face consultation in London and then follow up 'Skype' appointments. He got a formal diagnosis quickly and after paying for a private prescription for 2 months, our local surgery were happy to take it on and it was switched to an nhs one. From start to finish we spent about £500, not cheap but dh was spiralling rapidly thanks to 2 years of anti depressants, that did way more harm than good.

According to Russell my self control is only 18 years old. So accurate

I’m going to look into private - the thought of paying for prescriptions puts me off but if it helped and wasn’t permanent I could manage.
Thanks

@adhdme2019 do you need a recommendation?

I’d be more than happy to take a name! Thank you :)

Dh saw Dr Balu, he works independently but is part of the Emotional Wellness Clinic. He's based in London but we did a lot of messaging etc before going down to see him.
Google him, he's easy to find. We knew about him as a friend highly recommended him.

Try psychiatry uk, diagnosis plus meds apx £600 and once settled on the meds you should be able to get transferred to NHS care.

I didn't get on with the meds but many do.

No obligation to tell your employer. I recently told mine because I kept making silly mistakes due to inattentiveness and wanted some legal protection.

Yes they do look at me differently now and I feel like my boss thinks im a nutter, but I know I wont get the sack for making an admin error, well not unless they are prepared for a claim to a tribunal.

So weigh up the pros and cons of disclosure.