Yeah, so, I went to our family GP with my Psychologist report to get a referral for a psychiatrist, and found that he's an "unbeliever" in ADHD.
He basically disregarded the entire report because I "self-referred" myself to the psychologist and didn't want to even look at it. His diagnosis was a mid-life crisis, or, as he put it, "self-reflective stage of life".
I'm so glad he was able to tell all that from our 10 minute session. So much more believable than my three hours with the psychologist reliving my entire life, school reports, family interviews, etc.
He reluctantly gave me a referral but wrote on it that he doesn't believe a word of the report and that I probably just need something for my mood and anxiety issues but that stimulant medication for someone at 47 years old is probably not a good idea.
He went on to say that they just give medication to kids so that they can sit still long enough to learn so they don't end up illiterate, which I find an offensive statement!
Told me that if the psychiatrist takes too long to come back to him and have a more general conversation - a heart to heart.
Thanks, but no thanks.
It's a little disheartening and discouraging, but I have my referral... we'll see where this goes.
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AussieADHD
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Wow, well that still exists. Truth is people do self-refer and some don't have it. But discarding the validity of your diagnosis outright is not on.OK so you are now in the pipeline. Just tell your psychiatrist then how it is and switch GPs ASAP.
I must say I'm a sceptic when it comes to fibromyalgia. Until I was diagnosed with ADHD. Now it's Hey, what do I know? And I recall a day of pure physical pain once after a migraine years ago, probably half tension related but it felt like my body was full of some un-wholesome alien protein and if that is how fibro feels I obviously atone.
This from a GP.
PS doesn't mean anything has to be believed that people dream up. Including myself. In case of doubt though it's that person's experience, not mine, and they deserve of course to be taken seriously!
Lots of adults self refer ... after we get ten hints about what's going on.
The psychologist who diagnosed me was herself diagnosed as an adult. Her best friend had been reading an article about people with ADHD--and the best friend turned to my psychologist (before I had her) and said this all applies to you!
But keep an open mind about it working for you or perhaps not:
it might not suit you
It might not be the magic cure "everyone" talks about
And bear in mind, you may decide after trying the meds (and perhaps a merry go round journey of trying all types) that you might in the end, prefer to get by without them.
Not every story here has a - "meds fixed everything" outcome.
You would do yourself a disservice if you didn't keep an open mind.
Don't get "Wed" to meds before trying them.
But by all means, do try them.
Some other options: CBT, Diet / nootropic supliments, Exercise / walks in nature, Meditation, Bright light therapy, Microdosing
Get a new doctor ASAP! I have found a wonderful and supportive doctor that has gone out of her way to even email me often and check how I’m doing. They are out there
Hello AussieADHD,I'm from the southwest corner of Western Australia too! I have to say I am shocked that your family doctor said that. I was diagnosed 18mths ago. I had been seeing my psychologist since 2014 for my anxiety and have been been doing Dialectic Behaviour Therapy to help give me the tools / strategies to manage the physical distress I suffer from (anxiety, disordered eating, sleep issues my whole life etc ). I asked my psychologist if I might have ADHD and she said to ask the doctor for a referral which my doctor referred me to my psychiatrist. I do my 6 mthly appointment for my meds repeat prescription over the phone and he sends the script via text message.
I have a female doctor, female psychologist and male psychiatrist. My psychiatrist is in Busselton.
I don't know anyone with ADHD but wish I did. It's lonely being the only diagnosed person in my life.
Hit me up if you would like to have a coffee sometime. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing Yeah, I have an appointment with a female psyche in Busso but it's not until November! That's the earliest they had... Wondering if I should find one in Perth or something?
It's definitely not easy when people around you don't get it, that's for sure! Thankfully my sisters do get it so we can share and laugh about stuff... or cry. Whatever works 😂
November! That is such a long time away! 😤. I wonder if it is the female psychiatrist @ the clinic that my psychiatrist practices at 🤔I'd call them again and ask to be put on the cancellation list. That way if someone cancels one of those appointments they can call you to book it. Could end up seeing her way sooner...
Get a new GP! I dont know the health system in Australia, but if possible you definately need a new GP. Their thinking is antiquated and offensive at best (though he may be trying to "be kind" and reassure you?). I have spent a career working closely with Medical Doctors of all stages of experience including mostly consultant's and I have seen a radical growth and change in understanding and approach. That said, there are many "Old Boys" out there still with inflexible thinking, no recent training (especialy around Neurodiversity/Mental Health and the myriad of developments in thinking, evidence and treatment options) who should retire. The stigmatised and difficult views from these people can make them very challenging to work with (I hasten to add this is a minority and by no means all older consultants). Racism, intolerance of youth, mysogony, inflexibility, inability to understand or even entertain new thinking or appreciate new evidence, aggressive outbursts and "Toddler tantrums" are all common "symptoms" amongst this group. They get away with it through being Very good at their specific roles (their competence is not the question here),there being no alternatives, teaching/publishing on their expertise and basicaly being viewed as " yeah I know hes a racist, homophobic, woman hating old pig but he is kind of like a naughty old grandad, so we let him off". I am not stating this IS your GP, just highlighting that the "OOOOH MATRON!" thinking isnt gone yet in the medical profession. Hopefully your Psychiatrist will be a more up-to-date, forward thinking individual (or not male, I say this as they will have had to fight the "Old boy network" thinking for their entire career and so are generaly more attentive and flexible than their older male counterparts, again not all, just experience). Medication is also expensive and so an excuse not to prescribe if the GP is managing their own meds budget is often sought as well. My GP is a very "traditional" lady and my early conversations around a "private diagnosis" also met resistance. However, they have accepted the physchiatrists report without notable quibble (to me anyway) and my medication costs reduced by 95% per month thanks to the wonder that is the NHS. Anyone who knocks a Nationalised Health provision is an idiot with money who has yet to get unwell and has no insight into where private staff get their real life experience and training from. (A personal political view in line with my profession, the current status of healthcare in the UK, the utterly tragic direction it seems to be travelling toward and....oh yes Evidence!). Best of luck on a GP transfer, if you dont change they could make your future options quite challenging as "gatekeepers to services" All the best in your journey, I hope it improves
🌈🦄🐒
If in doubt, there is no doubt and above all, be kind.
I just went through something similar, though a lot less offensive with a psychiatrist. "ADHD is a designer diagnosis. It's really very subjective." and "ADHD people don't forget to get on planes" (I'd literally forgotten to get on a plane to see my brother when I was about 25). He also implied that it's important to diagnose kids because they have increased risk of illiteracy and drug abuse, implying that there would be no good reason for me to get a diagnosis. He also mentioned that I hold down a full time job, as if that should be cause to not pursue a diagnosis. He wanted me to focus on my anxiety and forgetfulness as separate symptoms, but hey man, if you don't see them as connected to ADHD, wouldn't that mean you'd provide the wrong treatment? I was really upset at his refusal to diagnose. Then, when I called my PCP the next day to see if they could refer me to someone else in their network, they said they don't do that. I feel you. I hope you can find an ADHD professional to talk to. This is a real disorder, with real, specific and very damaging side effects. Best of luck!
Thanks Fayerweather. Wow, that's pretty harsh too, though! I'm not sure what to do, this is our family doctor and I hate shopping around for doctors! Unfortunately, my psychiatrist appointment isn't until November... See what happens!
Please try again with a new doctor. I got told I was academically too successful to have it, but I was running myself ragged every minute trying not to drop a ball. Ultimately on my 3rd provider I was diagnosed without even having to have him interview my spouse, my former boss (who first suggested diagnosis as a possibility—-I was very upset initially), or my family. Nope, he diagnosed me right away and after I read his note, I had no question I have it.
Actually I'd consider myself lucky to have someone who doesn't believe in diagnosis of ADHD. Believe me when I say the world doesn't care about those labeled as ADHD and such. I can say this from personal experience. I have always been considered odd and in kindergarten was labled as ADHD and you know what they did to me let me tell you they took me away from my best friends to put me into a new school where they put me in special classes and was treated like a freak in a bad way. Do you really want all this. Do you really want to be officially diagnosed as ADHD and have people look down on you. Think about that and consider yourself lucky that he doesn't believe it's ADHD.
Thanks BunnyJen90 and I'm sorry for your experience. I appreciate you sharing your story and it does give another perspective on it, that's for sure. Thank you 🙏
We're born with ADHD, we are ADHD, ADHD is us, so we don't know what it is. We've lived with it. ADHD for us, is on the same par as asking a cat 'what does it feel like to be a dog'. It doesn't know, because it's not a dog. If you have ADHD, how do you know?
You're at the GP and psychologist to find out what it 'could be', and walking into the GP telling them you want ADHD, is a mistake.
I dont understand why you're annoyed that you havent been put on the 'autistic spectrum'. You know they can diagnose you with ADHD/ASD, and that's that, you're autistic for the rest of your life, but then not give you any medication? They can give you anti depressants if they want.
An honest question: If you were diagnosed with ADHD, put on the spectrum, and they didnt give you any medication, would you be happy with knowing that's what it is? Or would you go mad?
A diagnosis is enough for most of us because we've been struggling without knowing why and how. Now we do, that's enough to move on.
In my assessment, I didnt say 'I do this and that, this happens, that happens', she asked me questions and I was like 'I dont care about any of that', and I couldnt be bothered to listen. I was looking for stuff on the desk as she was assessing me, not bothering. But that's ADHD, that's what I do, always have, I am ADHD. I was just there to find out if it is or not. I hardly told her anything because I dont know what ADHD is, but, was diagnosed, not because of what I said but the way I am, and the way I acted. Alot of people with ADHD can't talk to people properly. I can talk, but don't know what to say. I don't say 'I cant talk to people properly', I just dont talk. Always have and they pick that up from your actions, not your words. 👍
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Yeah, I have an appointment with a female psyche in Busso but it's not until November! That's the earliest they had... Wondering if I should find one in Perth or something? 
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