I've suffered from ADHD symptoms since childhood, and they've gotten worse over the past few years. The worst problem I have is staying focused. I can't stay with anything for long. Often I have trouble even starting tasks. The amount of stuff I can get done keeps getting smaller and smaller. Stress only makes it worse.
I went to a psychologist and they had their assistant do a several hours long ADHD test. Afterwards, they told me that although I have some symptoms, they weren't severe enough to qualify me as actually having ADHD. I was given some book recommendations, and some vague comments about maybe seeing a therapist if I wanted to.
I'm not in a great headspace right now about the results, and I'm not sure what to do next. I'd hoped that going to a psychologist would give me some answers, and a road to getting better. I don't want to go shopping to get the diagnosis I want or anything, but by the same token, I need more help than a few books. I don't know if I need medication or if just therapy will do, but I need something.
Is anyone else in the same boat? Honestly, I don't think I'm up for going to another local psychiatrist and doing the whole test all over again. It took me years to work myself up to doing it the first time around. I've considered trying one of the online ADHD diagnosis services, but I need someone who will give me an honest answer and a real solution. What I don't want is to end up with someone who will say yes, you have ADHD and write me a prescription because they think that that's what I'm paying for. Thanks.
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Dreamer931
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Regardless of diagnosis you have symptoms getting in the way of you living your best life. I know it can be a great relief to have a diagnosis, the feeling of validating all those times you felt things were out of your control. Having the diagnosis is no small thing, I totally get that.
I am not sure what your circumstances are, so keep that in mind with these suggestions.
Exercise, specifically high cardio, will increase focus. It works immediately, like jumping jacks when you get distracted helping you get back on track, and in the long term if you choose to make a habit of it, your focus increases in general.
If possible do some high cardio on a regular basis, 6 or 7 days per week (I know! that's a lot but the pay off is totally worth it)
Books can actually give you a similar feeling to an official diagnosis. It gives you the feeling of someone who really gets you. "There is a whole book written about what I go through! Wow that is validating" type feeling.
An easy read is ADHD 2.0 by Doctors Hallowell & Ratey. It is short and to the point but may shed light on your symptoms and give you the boost you need to keep pushing forward.
I hope you can be proud of the effort - emotional and physical - that you put in to get to the point of taking the initial ADHD assessment. That is a huge accomplishment and deserves recognition of the effort needed.
You can do this, you have the skills. You may be tired at this point, and that's OK! Take a break, do the best you can and allow that to be ok. If you need frequent breaks in oder to get things done, give yourself those breaks.
If you need an accountability partner (aka body doubling) get a friend or find one online. Just having someone to check in with can go a long way.
Kudos too, for putting yourself out there with this post. You do have a community and you do have understanding folks who want to see you suceed.
Hang in there, keep coming here with questions, conundrums and successes so we can cheer you and support you.
I understand all to well. Adhd add dyslexia since birth . 4 years ago I got diagnosed with MS . Looking back I’ve had since I was 20 . I’m 54 now . The conogitive brain thinking . The freeze up about anxiety doing anything . Lots of undone stuff. I didn’t treat the adhd and boy I had a real tuff life until my 40 . I believe you will find the right neurologist / psychiatrist care . Ms has the same crazy traits. Praying you find the right care soon
I have the same issue. I have been wearing for the Aeon Lifewave patch about a month now. My brother told me about it. It doesn't replace medicine but my stress level went from a 10 to 3. I also use Healthy Minds program, It's a free app on your phone that teaches mindfulness techniques. My therapist told me about the Healthy Minds Program. It's very soothing.
Hi. I was diagnosed recently at the age of 51, and I’m still learning… but, one of the reasons I wasn’t diagnosed until now is that I have trauma (PTSD) related to being raised by parents with narcissistic tendencies. Could you maybe have PTSD? The symptoms can look similar. That may be why the stress makes it worse for you.
Listen, from what I’ve read and learned, trauma and ADHD are twisted little twins. Some experts even believe that you can have the genetic makeup for ADHD — because your brain is actually physically different if you have it— but you might not have severe symptoms that negatively affect your life if the trauma isn’t present.
I know you are loathe to go see another doctor, but it might be worth the effort— especially if you can afford to go to a shrink with an actual ADHD specialty. Most psychiatrists get very little training about ADHD and even less about adults who have it, so doing your research and finding someone who can parse out what you are really going thru would be helpful. If anything, the recommendation of talk therapy, as well as the excercise I saw recommended by someone below, should help you make progress in the meantime. Other than tips and tricks and medication, that’s really all any of us have, anyway.
Also, a word about medication: Medication has been helpful for me, I’ve landed on Vyvanse, but please do not take anything like Adderall thru the mail. I have a good friend who messed with that stuff without a real doctor’s diagnosis, got hooked for five years, had to go to rehab and is the process of putting her life back together now. She was once taking six pills a day! I take one 10 mg pill.
In any case, I hope you keep looking and find the right care providers. It’s worth it, and it makes all the difference. Don’t stop.
When I first got diagnosed with ADHD, the initial diagnosis was done by a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). She was able to diagnose and to provide therapy, but she couldn't prescribe medication. So, I needed to talk to my doctor.
I gave the counselor authorization to share her notes and my assessment results with my doctor. My doctor read the notes, but then had me do a different assessment (which took about 20 minutes) and he asked me a bunch of questions. Within 30 minutes, my doctor had given me a second opinion confirming my ADHD diagnosis.
So, you could do like I did, and request for the psychologist to share a copy of their notes with the another doctor/psychologist/psychiatrist that you go to for help with getting a diagnosis.
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[If you aren't sure what is in those notes and want to get a copy of the psychologist's notes, it is your right to request them. (The process might take a while. I worked in IT Support at a hospital for a while, so I know there's some bureaucracy involved.)]
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I do not have ADHD but my partner might
Finally diagnosed, but finding actual treatment feels impossible.
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