I'm a 50 year old Canadian man living in Thailand many years. Recently I have self diagnosed myself with ADHD but I also see traits of borderline personality disorder.
I went to a public hospital in Thailand to get a diagnosis but after several weeks I gave up due to the stress of the process but also I didn't have faith in their diagnosis being thorough or accurate as it seems it would have been a 20 minute chat just to get a prescription.
My question is will I be able to get an thorough diagnosis online ? If so, where do you recommend? There are private clinics in Thailand but they aren't cheap and I am concerned about the quality.
One of my biggest fears is that I will be told I'm simply depressed. My whole life has been a struggle and I'm closer to suicide more than ever.
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Onestepmore
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You mean, you dont want to go face to face because you really want the medication, and if it fails face to face, you dont get the pills. So, as a security blanket, you'd prefer to go online, so you can act better?? They dont work if you havent got ADHD... Never self diagnose, never research because ultimately you'll be caught for being well rehearsed. ADHD is part of you. We're born with it. You shouldn't have to look into it and guess. Others tell you, you respond, and then the assessor tells you. You dont go in because you think it, you go in there because you dont know what's going on
It had nothing to do about being face to face. In Thailand getting a prescription is super easy. My priority is to get a thorough and professional diagnois. I'm not a doctor so it's not for me to decide what is appropriate. Buy I worry about it being dismissed as depression because I know it's not only that. There are private clinics that focus only on adhd but they aren't cheap.
Hi Onestep, To follow on AuDHD3245's reply to your post, sounds like your situation may be tricky; Canadian, living in Thailand, trying to navigate their medical system, trying to get a diagnosis for a condition that may not be well known there (don't know if that is true) and possibly getting medication (legally), and also cost in time and money.
Don't know if a person can get a diagnosis (medical) of ADHD online, but I would doubt it, unless that person were enrolled in a health care system and was connecting remotely with a MD in that health care system. (I live in US and so I'm using language appropriate for the US). However, I would be very very surprised if a person could get a legal prescription for controlled stimulants solely on line.
If, however, all you want is information about ADHD to learn if indeed this is what you have, there are a lot of sites on line, you might have gone through chadd.org to get to this chat site. There is also add.org.
Yes, things here aren't the same as back home. Getting prescriptions is very easy here but a proper diagnosis isn't. You can actually get the medcation from any pharmacy without a prescription but its expensive. I may need to pay a private clinic for the diagnois. I should do some more research from the websites you mentioned.
A question, are you planning on staying in Thailand or will you be going back to Canada in the future? The reason I ask is that I had a conversation with a friend from Canada who was relating how problematic it might be in school or a job if it was known that you had ADHD. Don't know if this is true or how widespread, but he was saying how his son had some accommodations in high school and even though this wasn't on his son's official school transcript, college admissions could tell that he had one, cause of other certain courses his son ended up taking or not taking. As a result, his son only got into one (low level?) college even with stellar grades.
Hi, I don't know if this would be any good for you but I have recently been diagnosed by a clinic in the UK called Enlightened Minds. They require you to fill in a lot of detailed questionnaires beforehand and then they do a very thorough assessment over 2 zoom video chats with 2 different people. They are psychologists rather than psychiatrists, so they can't prescribe medication, but their 2 main clinical leads have worked for the NHS in England for many years diagnosing ADHD, and the diagnostic process they follow is according to the NHS standard. They did a 34 page report for me following the assessment, which was subsequently accepted by a psychiatrist from a different organisation. The cost of the assessment was about £700. Whilst there are lots of tests and free information available online, I also wanted a proper professional diagnosis. The reason I went for this particular clinic was because whilst it's still a lot of money, it was a lot cheaper than getting assessed by a psychiatrist, and no travelling was needed because it's done over zoom. Don't know if this helps at all!
No worries, I was also financially constrained so I looked into it for ages before taking the step but I basically concluded that I wasn't going to get valid professional information for free or low cost so I had to find a way of making it work! They also offer a payment plan of paying in 3 instalments if that helps.
Sir/Madame: When I see the word suicide, I know without question, you are contemplating it. Please take yourself to the emergency room and let them know you are suicidal. They will probably admit you after an initial screening at the ER. You will then have the opportunity to see a psychiatrist and have a discussion about your ADHD concerns as well as your mental health. At that point you can ask for the private evaluation you wanted to do that you couldn't afford that might be covered on your current insurance. God bless.
Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you’re navigating a very challenging time, and I commend you for seeking clarity and support.
It’s especially important to address the distress you’re feeling. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, reaching out for immediate support can make a difference. In Thailand, the Samaritans of Thailand offer an English-speaking hotline at 02-113-6789. Internationally, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides guidance and support (samhsa.gov/988). As you navigate this whole process, focus on taking small, actionable steps, such as exploring therapy options, joining a support group (chadd.org/affiliate-locator/), or journaling your experiences. It may seem like where you want to go is too far or that “you’re late” but that is not true at all. It’s clear you’ve been through a lot, but you’re not alone. Take it one step at a time.
While online evaluations can provide initial insights, a thorough diagnosis for ADHD or borderline personality disorder typically requires detailed interviews and possibly questionnaires conducted by trained professionals. Accredited telehealth platforms specializing in mental health may be a good starting point but be cautious to ensure they are credible. If you’re concerned about the quality of private clinics in Thailand, consider researching facilities that specialize in neurodiverse conditions and checking patient reviews to gauge their reliability. For additional support, CHADD offers resources specifically for adults, including the Adult-to-Adult program, which provides strategies for managing ADHD (chadd.org/adult-to-adult/).
In addition, JST Coaching & Training (jstcoaching.com) specializes in providing coaching services and training programs for individuals with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and related conditions. JST Coaching connects you with certified ADHD coaches who can provide personalized strategies for improving focus, time management, and achieving goals. Similarly, the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) (adhdcoaches.org) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and connecting individuals with certified experts worldwide. ACO provides directories to find qualified coaches who can assist in managing ADHD symptoms, increasing productivity, and improving overall quality of life. Like JST Coaching, ACO focuses on practical strategies and support rather than providing diagnostic or therapeutic services.
I hope these resources provide you with the support you are looking for. Please take care of yourself. Wishing you the best in your journey. Keep your head up always!
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