I'm still waiting :)

[GosportNancy29]

Hello everyone. This is my first post since I arrived here today

So far I have been waiting more than 25 years for my privately sourced diagnosis of ADHD to be confirmed by someone on the NHS. I'm in my 60s now. A clinical psychologist saw me in the late '90s and she picked up 'attention deficits' in my assessment which led to me getting lots of support in assignments and exams at the university I attended back then when I was in my 30s.

Going by experience I might have my gravestone made with the wording 'still waiting for an ADHD diag....oh look, a squirrel!'.

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the Adult ADHD forum!

That's a long wait that you've had. It's so disappointing when you can't get the help you need.

In the US, a lot of people point to the NHS as an example of how our health system should be, but I've read so many accounts like yours that it takes so long and many people don't end up getting the diagnosis and the help they need.

It can be hard in the US, too, but instead of longer waits we have higher costs. Plus, old assumptions about ADHD persist, like that it only affects boys, that people grow out of it, and that it always has hyperactivity.

It's good that you were able to get accomodations when you were at the university. In my own time in college, despite my advisor and some of my instructors knowing about my struggles (like being the slowest test taker in the class), nobody suggested that I get help from the testing center. I wish they had...I might have graduated if it's gotten the right help then.

[GosportNancy29 in reply to STEM_Dad]

Here in the UK the different government departments work together and private assesmments and reports are not supported. This meant that although my ADHD was diagnosed in the 90s, I have not received any ADHD related support through the NHS, Social Serves and through financial support for disabled people. If I wanted financial help through the state because of my ADHD I would have to have an NHS assessment.

So since my 30s I have had no help related to ADHD, including any NHS treatment and disabilty payments.. I was treated for ADHD by a private doctor back in the 90s but my NHS doctor refused to prescribe meds and wouldn't refer me for an NHS assessment either. I couldn't afford treatment so it stopped.

[Schilddruse]

Serious question: is that "...there's a squirrel..." habit a manifestation of ADHD? I suspect I have ADHD and I do that "changing the subject" thing all the time. It annoys my husband, but I rationalise it to him (and to myself) by saying that if I don't mention the squirrel or whatever there and then, either the moment to see said squirrel will pass or I'll forget to mention it later. Seems sensible to me. What do you think?

[GosportNancy29 in reply to Schilddruse]

Good question. What I have found is that there are lots of funny ADHD-related memes. The inattention and being easily distracted features are so common amongst those who have ADHD, that 'oooh...there's a squirrel' is added to lots of these memes and people with ADHD traits identify with that right away. I had lots of ADHD support during my time with Open University. I was seated away from the window during exams as the people supporting me understood that a window nearby could be a distraction.

During my time with the Dementia Neurology appointment on Friday, the Doctor kept directing me back to the points he was trying to make.

[itslostagain in reply to Schilddruse]

My boyfriend can also get exasperated by my squirrel chasing. Sigh.

Ideas -

I've told him we can't have any expectations of deep conversations when we go on walks. I can't string many sentences together before another squirrel has (literally) caught my attention.

I try to write the squirrels down when we're having a regular conversation. That way I can let it off my mind and can also return to it at a more "appropriate" time. And I try to keep him to short spurts of thoughts. It's easier for me to keep up and easier to mention a squirrel every once in a while

[Schilddruse in reply to itslostagain]

Writing stuff down is a good idea. I've toyed with the idea myself and may give it a go.You'd definitely have to avert your gaze from our garden when speaking to your boyfriend - not only squirrels, but foxes, neighbourhood cats and all manner of beautiful birds keep popping up and distracting my train of thought!!