Diagnosis or no diagnosis?

[CessHan]

Hello dear community,

I have struggled all my life with issues of self worth, linked mainly to not having the feeling I fit in, not getting things done until the very last minute - or not getting them done at all - and pressuring myself to fit in an environment with people who seemed to all think a certain way...etc.

I am 38 and I won't go into too many details from the past - only just would like to share that I am "working on myself" since many years, paying for coaching, therapy, meditation, many self help books...etc. Only to find myself be told this year by a new therapist, that she suspects I may suffer from Attention deficit.

She recommended I get myself tested, but also that I read about it online, just to get a feeling of whether that might resonate with my issues or not. So apparently she's not qualified to do the tests herself - and knows too little about it - but gave me a phone number to contact for the test.

I read a lot of articles and did a couple of free tests - all online - and immediately felt seen, heard, understood... only when I contacted the clinic for the test, it costs more than 2000 Canadian Dollars and I'm not sure if my insurance will cover the costs.

Now, I would like to hear from you all whether getting an official diagnosis is important (I imagine for medication purposes it is, right?) or if I can simply live with the idea that I "may have ADD" and see if putting these tips and tricks that I read online might already help me get better?

I'm also scared that I might be relying too much on said-diagnosis and using this as an "excuse" for my "other symptoms" like depression, anxiety...etc. and my "bad habits" with others (my husband, family...etc.) or at work (procrastination, always feeling I'm out of place...etc.)

I am hoping somebody might help me understand how to get the right "diagnostic" and also confirm if having a "diagnostic" really helps move forward...etc.

Many thanks!

[MemphisAdhd1988]

ADHDonline.com has and assessment under $200. Read my story you are not alone.

[MemphisAdhd1988]

My new meds doctor said they would take it so they could have a test on file.

[Gettingittogether]

Don't worry about making an excuse for your struggles.

People misunderstand this. Getting diagnosed with ADHD helped me understand my brain and lots of struggles I had over the years. I am still responsible for working on those issues. The world doesn't care that I have a diagnosis. I care because, as you say, the diagnosis explained something I had felt for years.

And now I know that fixing my struggles will often require creative solutions beyond "focus!" and "work hard" and "be careful." Those phrases are useless answers for people with ADHD.

The diagnosis simply told me I needed to follow a different path to improve my weak areas. None of the regular talk about my behaviors helped one bit.

[Goldilocks2022]

CessHan, I was diagnosed originally by a test like that with anxiety and not adhd as women often do. But now understanding that I do have adhd, im learning that so many of the things I thought were flat out personal failings, are actually just a reflection of the way my brain works due to ADHD. While I hate that I have to manage this for life, it’s comforting to know that it’s not due to me being lazy or insensitive and that it’s something other people are going through and as a result they can share strategies.If you do end up getting the diagnosis, medication and therapy are life changing and you may find that some of the things you couldn’t fix despite all your efforts can be worked on with strategies that are right for the diagnosis. I wish you luck!

[kshapiro]

I've been tested twice as an adult and both times were at no cost to me. The first time was a referral from my state's vocational health services department - you probably have something like that in Canada? The second time, I had to get re-tested because I moved and my doctor didn't trust the previous results. He referred me to an ADHD study being performed by a local university. So you could look for ADHD studies that are happening in nearby cities.

[SteelQueen]

I originally took a test online for free and then brought my results to my psychopharmocologist whose response was "I can see that" to which I thought OH REALLY??? Then why did i have to tell u? I got confirmation of my suspicion from my therapist. My concern about not having a diagnosis is if you want meds. You may need the diagnosis for that. I have all the same issues u do and have spent YEARS trying to "get better" and in certain areas it just didn'tget better. I spent most of my life asking What is wrong with me? It irks me still that after all the years and money I've spent on therapy that I had to find the answers without their help. Lol. I've considered asking for a refund. If meds aren't a consideration for you then the diagnosis might not matter. You know. Here I needed a diagnosis to try ADHD meds.

I literally googled ADHD test and took that result to my Dr.

[Knowingme]

Hi..... I'm new to this but will tell you a little bit about my story.....I was diagnosed with ADHD and depression back in November last year.....I've proberly had it all my life now looking back.....I hear you about does being diagnosed help....I suppose it depends how u look at it.....since be being diagnosed you look at ur past to try and work out everything linked to you ADHD and to seen reasons behind your life ....well that's what I have done......it's very hard not to put a label on yourself cause the reality is when diagnosed you have that medical condition and that is the real you....since diagnosed I've been like a guinea pig with medication and still can't find the right fit.....not sure if that helps at all....just thought I would reach out thanks for reading