New Here: Frustrated - - Undiagnosed - CHADD's Adult ADH...

CHADD's Adult ADHD Support

23,297 members5,658 posts

New Here: Frustrated - - Undiagnosed

MindThoughts profile image
7 Replies

Hello friends! I am reaching out to this community as I have been struggling a lot. Throughout my whole life, I have experienced ADD/ADHD symptoms. I have faced many challenges because of them. Recently, I have sought a proper diagnosis to get things under control. I have done hours of research and everything points to ADHD - like I am a model patient. I've seen a doctor, but she only focused on symptops of depression and anxiety and didn't feel comfortable prescribing me a medication to help manage my symptoms. When going though her questionnaire, she didn't ask me to elaborate on my answers, and I know that ADHD can link with anxiety and depression. I in no way feel depressed. I love my life. But I am suffering from a long list of ADHD symptoms that are affecting my life and I want to get them addressed. I have been working with a theripst and she agrees with everything that I have shared. I feel like I am totally stuck...did anyone else have to hoop jump, get mis-diagnosed, or still remain undiagnosed? Looking forward to connecting with this community. Cheers!

Written by
MindThoughts profile image
MindThoughts
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
Birdwatcher19 profile image
Birdwatcher19

It can be very difficult to get a proper diagnosis. Did you go to a psychiatrist or your PCP? If the latter, I’d strongly urge you to seek out a psychiatrist with experience treating ADHD. They can be hard to find, but they are really the best qualified to diagnose ADHD. Most PCPs are not very knowledgeable about it, and they simply don’t have the time to do a proper assessment. My PCP dismissed my ADHD symptoms even after I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist, insisting it was probably anxiety or depression (despite my not meeting clinical significance on the quickie rating scales she gave me). Good luck.

MindThoughts profile image
MindThoughts in reply to Birdwatcher19

Thanks for the support! I am backed by my therapist and have been going back and forth with a psychiatrist.

acrononymous profile image
acrononymous

I just went through something similar in my search for a new psychiatrist. We didn’t even get to the testing part and he flat out told me I def didn’t have adhd and I def had anxiety. My fiancé was with me and was as flabbergasted as I was. I cancelled my next appt and started hunting for another psychiatrist. I already have an adhd diagnosis, I am looking for a psychiatrist that isn’t going to simply increase meds. I need to try something different.

Use the resources at CHADD, ADDA, and ADDitude mag to search for another doc

MindThoughts profile image
MindThoughts in reply to acrononymous

I love the Additude mag! Thanks for sharing your story. It's nice to know I'm not the only one fighting for a diagnosis.

acrononymous profile image
acrononymous in reply to MindThoughts

You are definitely not alone.

Portia_pine profile image
Portia_pine

I have no advice but I am going through something similar. I have done some serious reading about ADHD and everything in my life points to a solid diagnosis. However, various people I have talked to (doctor, therapist) continue to tell me I have anxiety and depression instead. I am frustrated because I have never had chronic anxiety or depression, but every symptom points to ADHD. A therapist tried to tell me that because I was not diagnosed with it as a child, it was unlikely that ADHD was something I actually had. I refuse to go on anxiety or depression meds when I know that any anxiety or depression symptoms I experience are directly resulting from my ADHD behaviors and tendencies. Like I said, I have no advice, but I absolutely share in your frustration. I am going to have to keep trying to get someone to believe me. Good luck with everything, I hope you can finally find someone who listens!

Get a brain chemistry test. Mine was from GenoMind, its a spit test. It can tell you for sure if you have genetic variants messing w your dopamine or seratonin, and what meds & dosage might be best for you. this tool should be standard of care for anyone! i struggled with meds from 8 years old with cylert and ritalin and wellbutrin. Got them right at 35 finally with the test!

You may also like...

New here, I'm 46 and 99% sure I have undiagnosed ADHD.

hers, she's very thorough and I'm often scatterbrained. I told her I want to get tested for ADHD...

Undiagnosed by therapist on a quest to undiagnose anyone with ADHD

I went to get help with my ADHD, and my therapist undiagnosed me instead and started treating my...

New here

found out at 36 that I have ADHD and realize most of my emotional problems all my life were because...

A little insight would be wonderful. I’m new here!

graduated. I still don’t have a formal diagnosis but I feel like I’m handling life without...

New here looking for answers.

problems (as ADHD or maybe something else idk) but I feel silly going in and asking for them to...