adult adhd advice needed

cloverfan

I was wondering if anyone has any experiences of getting adult adhd diagnosed? and how someone could be helped??

lady_wolfs_head

Much harder for adults because most ADHD is diagnosed young. GP is the best bet. For children they would go to CAHMS

Did a course on Wednesday

Try
ADDISS--ADHD info service
10 station rd
mill hill
london
nw7 2ju
02089069068
www.addiss.co.uk
[EMAIL="info@addiss.co.uk"]info@addiss.co.uk[/EMAIL]

or websites
https://www.living withadha.co.uk


Hope this helps

lady_wolfs_head

Alot of the ADhd and dyspraxia stuff are all linked. People generally do not just have adhd, they have ODD OCD ASD etc etc.

There is an online test but don't just go by that
http://www.youthinmind.com
it is NOT a diagnosis.

cloverfan

my oldest son has adhd nd dyspraxia and youngest son is adhd and odd, ex also displays so many symptoms as does ex fil, ex has now asked me for some help and advice. Despite us not being together he is my kids dad and i do still care and figured if it can help him it will help my kids too. I truly believe he has adhd(quite severely) and i am sure this contributed to the breakdown of our marriage.

lady_wolfs_head

It does run in families, and there are loads of undiagnosed people, girls generally.
Even though it was discovered in1902 people of a certain age have never been diagnosed.

mazinmouse

Apols in advance as this will be v jumbly and I am tired.

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, actually could be three years ago... I was too impatient to wait for an NHS diagnosis and went privately following a referral from my GP.

Diagnosis can only be made by a psychiatrist - and preferably one who has experience and understanding of ADHD. That may sound obvious but it is best to be aware that for many mental health professionals ADHD doesn't seem to feature in their thoughts. IMO if this is the case then the possibility of ADHD may well be overlooked or discounted.

If you are referred to a mental health professional I think it is sensible to ask what experience they have and as far as possible insist on being referred to experts in the field.

A psychologist will not be able to give you a diagnosis, only a psychiatrist can do that.

Also when you broach the subject with your GP it helps to keep an open mind/approach - in own case, I was certain I had adhd but primarily for reasons of diplomacy did not insist that this was the problem, just offered it up as the most likely explanation and outlined why I felt this.

It might have been another condition or a combination of conditions. I just knew something was not right, life was getting more difficult and I wanted to get to the bottom of why I am like I am.

Yes, there is more awareness of adult adhd these days - quite often down to parents of adhd children seeing themselves in their children and then getting a dx themselves. Some children appear to grow out of it but they reckon upto 60% of children go onto adolescence then adulthood with it.

The inattentive type of ADHD (ADD) is the most overlooked - the hyperactive type naturally gains more attention/awareness. I'm primarily inattentive (and impulsive). I now also recognise the OCD tendencies in me! I'm not sure if ODD carries on into adulthood but if it does I suspect I'm a candidate for that as well.

I'd also recommend the aadd.org.uk website for information.

apologies for disjointedness

mazinmouse

Also meant to say access to services varies depending on where you are in the country, which is why I went privately. I was concerned about the cost but the psychiatrist I saw did not cost the earth - I was v pleasantly surprised as there are some place where you attend for a day or two and spend a considerable amount.