So, I finally have my appointment set for this Friday. It's for Adult ADHD and I've already sent in my self assessment last week. I am feeling kind of nervous/impatient/afraid because I am so desperate for finally getting help with whatever has been going on with me my whole life (which adhd really hits home for me in regards to all that I've struggled with etc...).
I am afraid that the doctor will just tell me the same thing I've heard my whole life, "Well, there is nothing wrong with you, you just need to apply yourself and stop being lazy." {-_-'}
Anyone else feel this way and unsure of everything before their initial appointment with a doctor? What happened? Was your intuition wrong? Were you right?
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Bellatrix2020
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I am right there with you! I finally got my neuro psychological testing scheduled. It's in two parts, next week and the week after. I'm trying not to think about it, but I'm nervous too!
I'm proud of you for getting this far! I read some of your other posts and if I remember correctly you were having trouble getting the testing scheduled.
What is Nero Psychological testing? Were you referred by your primary doc to a specialist? How/what determines that type of testing? I am so impatient that it would kill me inside waiting and waiting & forcing myself to remember the appointments lol. Good luck on your testing! I hope you finally get some answers! I def. know how nervous it can make you feel.
I'm not sure what is in store for me. I do know that I contacted a doc. office in my network and they work with ADHD in children/adults on a regular basis. I thought that'd be nice to have them to do that and be my primary care, as well. Not sure if they will be able to diagnose right away/provide treatment but I'm hoping so!!
I watched (part of ) a series of videos on ADHD and one was by Dr Gene Carroccia. He recommended a "Full Neuro Developmental Assessment" which is better at seeing what's ADHD and what is co-existing conditions (like anxiety, OCD, etc). I'm honestly not sure if this is what I'm getting, but I hope so! I believe it will be measuring my brain waves during a test that may take up to 4 hours. There's also an hour interview.
My primary care physician was not ok prescribing me stimulants based on a self evaluation that had been given to me by a previous doctors intern. (which is a good choice I believe based on the horrible opioid epidemic in the US) So after calling two dozen mental health professionals listed as covered by my insurance, one lovely receptionist recommended a neuro psychologist who also does testing to see if people are disabled enough to get social security benefits (a USA program). My interview is this week and the rest of the test is next week. I'm trying to stay calm and just do life in the meantime.
It is very good to see a doctor that's used to seeing ADHD. But they may not be used to seeing ADHD in adult women, we present differently. So if the doctor says you don't have it, I'd look for a neuro psychologist. Best wishes!
Just a follow up - I had my neuro psychological testing done. there were no funny helmets testing my brain waves. There was 3 hours of different brain exercises to test memory, cognition, and attention. I'm pretty sure i did appropriately bad on the attention part, lol!
Bellatrix and LifeIsLearning, I can totally empathize.
I just received my diagnosis in February after psychological testing. In my psychiatrist's appointment a couple of years ago, he told me almost right away that there was "no way" I had ADHD, which was extremely disheartening, but by the end of the appointment he at least said, "It's too difficult to tell". Finally undertaking the psychological assessment this winter, rating forms etc., and after handing those in, it was extremely nerve-wracking and I was an anxious wreck on some days.
I knew that if I had ADHD it wasn't a plain case. At 33yo and always a high-achiever, it wasn't a stand-out case. For me it was the fear of "what if" it wasn't enough for a diagnosis. I had been trying so many things for so long to try to deal with my concentration, focus, forgetfulness, procrastination, messiness, lack of motivation and initiation etc. that I was (am) really eager to try medication. I was very despairing of what to do with myself if I lacked a diagnosis and therefore wasn't able to try medication.
Ultimately I did receive a diagnosis of mild inattentive ADHD from the psychologist, in large part because of the impairments to my life. That validation has been SO meaningful for me.
It was a rough couple of weeks but now I can move forward knowing what steps are ahead of me. Unfortunately I have to wait about 10 weeks for a psychiatrist appointment to talk about meds, so still waiting for that....
If you really do identify with a good number of the symptoms (and it sounds like you do, if you've been told you were lazy all your life), and it causes impairment, then I believe you can be optimistic that this will be the validation you've been waiting for
Good Luck! I really hope those 10 weeks fly by faster for you so you can get the treatment/help you need so you can start living your best life as the best you!
there are psychologists and medical physicians who can evaluate and assess your situation. they can reliably prescribe meds. doing some research in the area in which you live, might allow you an appointment much more quickly. i suggest asking what their experience is with adhd clients. psychiatrists are not necessarily the only option. best of luck for you. btw....the kingfisher is my very favorite bird. i love them all, but nothing beats a kingfisher for me
I totally get this BatWoman87. I wasn’t considered to be impaired by my condition and therefore not struggling meant it wasn’t ADHD according to my GP. But after his reluctant referral and my assessment, it was clear cut. It doesn’t mean you don’t have ADHD , it Typically means that you have put strategies in place to soften the damage. But it was such a relief to see that those deep dark dips where I was harsher on myself than anyone else, weren’t my fault. It was my mental makeup.
Thank you, that really means a lot coming from someone so unexpectedly!
Hopefully all goes smooth and well. I'll be going straight to the source. I am hoping the doctor will be able to confirm and start treatment right away because I really dread/not good with many appointments/obligations. It becomes too much/I forget or I am always late and it makes the anxiety of waiting etc... unbearable!
Mixed emotions are totally allowed! If you're not familiar with it, practice sitting with those emotions and identifying how they make you feel physically, and what thoughts you have when those emotions arise.
Hoping you get referred to various treatment options quickly.
Bellatrix2020 - it helped me to to create a list of my actions, activities and behaviours that I felt were my adhd, before the assessment. It meant I could give all the info when asked for it and not forget, and it reinforced I knew something wasn’t right and didn’t feel like an imposter - which is sometimes the case when we get questioned.
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