ADHD negative

[booksncoffee]

What to do when you have all the symptoms but you pass the ADHD testing with NO diagnosis. My working memory probs and procrastination and all over the place attention as well as multiple executive function challenges is NOT nothing. Receiving no diagnosis and to be told I’m fine when I know I’m not is disheartening.

The testing person that told me I didn’t have ADHD when I asked what they suggest then- they recommended Chadds forADHD support as well as finding an ADHD coach. Their recommendations were due to my symptoms but No, no diagnosis of ADHD.

I’m guessing the testing is dated and needs the newer research to be added. It’s sad that ADHD adults are still falling through the cracks as undiagnosed or coming back with a negative result.

I do have chronic sleep deprivation but it doesn’t explain how classic and textbook my symptoms are. Has anyone passed the test (received a negative on ADHD) and gotten with a Psychiatrist for a second opinion, gotten on medication and improved? Are false negatives common? Maybe I’m just good at taking tests??

[STEM_Dad]

My recommendation is to get evaluated again, by someone else. That makes no sense that the diagnostician says you don't have ADHD, but to look for help in CHADD's website.You can be evaluated by a doctor or psychiatrist. In many states in the US, other healthcare or mental health care givers also qualify to evaluate people for ADHD. (The list of qualified diagnosticians is different for each state.)

I used to live in Idaho, and was first diagnosed by a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), but my doctor insisted on also evaluating me before considering prescribing me medication. I got two confirmed ADHD diagnoses within a week of each other.

Unfortunately, the medical and psychiatric community seem to still be skewed against diagnosing women with ADHD, despite clear scientific research proving that ADHD rates for women and girls are nearly as high as they are for men and boys. I think it's ignorance and outdated mindsets that are causing this imbalance.

My doctor used a computer questionnaire that took about 20-30 minutes, but the mental health counselor evaluated me over several sessions. I brought notes with me of talking points, listing my struggles with attention, distraction, working memory, and procrastination...both recently (at that time), and going back to my youth.

Other things which might be considered would be school records with comments that describe ADHD-like issues, questionnaires or statements by family members acknowledging your struggles.

One more thing that I think ought to be considered as a factor is having any close blood relatives who have been diagnosed with ADHD (parent, child, sibling), given the amount of research confirming that genetics make up the single greatest factor in the development of ADHD.

--- Yet still no genetic testing to evaluate for ADHD, even though there's testing to recommend which medications might be most effective for someone who has ADHD.

Don't give up.

[emiL1234]

There is a medication in Quebec named Bupropion, made for depression nd it helps a lot of people for adhd. If you cannot have an adhd diagnosis, I guess you can explore how to cure comorbidities. Might be named Wellbutrin in US. I would be very interested in your story, I hope I can stay in touch. I was tested 5 times.

[MorningDanceTrece]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get the answer that would be helpful for you.

I hope that you can find the support and answers that you need and do deserve.

[Mamamichl]

I was diagnosed not having it on the push button test on screen because I hyperfixated. I had to have a full neuropsych evaluation to be diagnosed. They are on the fence on asd too. I got a second one.