Treatment for ADHD as an adult?

coffeehound

Hello, I was wondering whether anyone has managed to obtain a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD as an adult?  

It's common in America but of course it's a very different landscape over there where medications are concerned.  

suejb2

https://twitter.com/i/events/1380456769898606593?s=21

I haven’t  read it , saw it trending on Twitter.

Spoonie_Turtle

No, but if you haven't already read the NICE guidelines they might help you work out how realistic it may be for you to be diagnosed and possibly treated https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder#content=view-node:nodes-diagnosis

I would imagine it's not easy, just as pursuing a diagnosis of autism or any other neurodivergence as an adult can be difficult.  All the best to you if you do decide to pursue it 👍

unforeseen

Spoonie_Turtle said:

No, but if you haven't already read the NICE guidelines they might help you work out how realistic it may be for you to be diagnosed and possibly treated https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder#content=view-node:nodes-diagnosis

I would imagine it's not easy, just as pursuing a diagnosis of autism or any other neurodivergence as an adult can be difficult.  All the best to you if you do decide to pursue it 👍

I have managed to get a referral for autism. Covid got in the way but I have had a letter to say I will get an assessment in 6-12 months. I did supply the results of two of the tests mentioned as the diagnosis tools in the NICE guidelines. They indicated that I was firmly in the Aspergers area of autism.
I am 64.

I am only doing this to enable me to access further resources to help me

Spoonie_Turtle

unforeseen said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

No, but if you haven't already read the NICE guidelines they might help you work out how realistic it may be for you to be diagnosed and possibly treated https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder#content=view-node:nodes-diagnosis

I would imagine it's not easy, just as pursuing a diagnosis of autism or any other neurodivergence as an adult can be difficult.  All the best to you if you do decide to pursue it 👍

I have managed to get a referral for autism. Covid got in the way but I have had a letter to say I will get an assessment in 6-12 months. I did supply the results of two of the tests mentioned as the diagnosis tools in the NICE guidelines. They indicated that I was firmly in the Aspergers area of autism.
I am 64.

I am only doing this to enable me to access further resources to help me

Ooh congratulations - I hope it enables you to access the resources you need.  I know for lots of people just having a definitive diagnosis can be immensely helpful for understanding themselves.  It's a shame there are still professionals who refuse to diagnose if they don't see the value in it.  I'm glad you didn't get someone who felt that way though

unforeseen

Spoonie_Turtle said:

unforeseen said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

No, but if you haven't already read the NICE guidelines they might help you work out how realistic it may be for you to be diagnosed and possibly treated https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder#content=view-node:nodes-diagnosis

I would imagine it's not easy, just as pursuing a diagnosis of autism or any other neurodivergence as an adult can be difficult.  All the best to you if you do decide to pursue it 👍

I have managed to get a referral for autism. Covid got in the way but I have had a letter to say I will get an assessment in 6-12 months. I did supply the results of two of the tests mentioned as the diagnosis tools in the NICE guidelines. They indicated that I was firmly in the Aspergers area of autism.
I am 64.

I am only doing this to enable me to access further resources to help me

Ooh congratulations - I hope it enables you to access the resources you need.  I know for lots of people just having a definitive diagnosis can be immensely helpful for understanding themselves.  It's a shame there are still professionals who refuse to diagnose if they don't see the value in it.  I'm glad you didn't get someone who felt that way though

Being aware that I am probably autistic has made a lot of things drop into place about my attitudes and actions.
It was first mooted when I was getting assessed for PTSD and I was told to follow it up with my GP. 

Raspberry_Queen

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 21. I was already diagnosed with Aspergers aged 15 so maybe it was easier for me. The doctors won't be nasty or try to prevent you from getting medication, I think the stigma is more with the general public than the experts. 

seasonalbiz

coffeehound said:

Hello, I was wondering whether anyone has managed to obtain a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD as an adult?  

It's common in America but of course it's a very different landscape over there where medications are concerned.  

I was diagnosed at 43yrs old, but it was assessed privately.  It was purely by chance it was even mentioned to me, because to be honest - I didn't believe ADHD existed, I thought it was just a label they stuck on naughty kids.  So you can imagine I was quite shocked when I got diagnosed and the medication prescribed, which has had a massive affect on my life.

I looked into the assessment process and (pre COVID) came to the conclusion that trying to use the NHS route would probably take around 2yrs or more, so I went privately.  The assessment was around £800, plus I am under a private Psychiatrist in order to get the medication.  There are several medications, but I responded well to the first and only one I tried (Concerta)... although getting the right dose took a few consultations.  I would say the whole process has cost me somewhere in the region of £2500-3000.

Pixiekazza

Hello, I hope you manage to get the support you need. I was diagnosed as 'hyperactive' as a small (demon?!) child, but the only advice given was a list of foods to avoid - mainly e numbers! Luckily I'm more of a daydreamer and I manage without medication. However, I have to force myself to be organised and my short term memory is awful as I'm so easily distracted! So lists, notes, reminders on my phone, planning charts and being kind to myself if I feel my mind is going to explode. I have learnt ways to concentrate better. So while you might have a long wait for a diagnosis/medication, there are ways to mitigate ADHD. There are a few helpful websites with loads of coping mechanism tips. Also fab to know you aren't the only one. My self esteem was damaged as a child. Being constantly told I need to listen, why haven't I done that thing I was asked to do, stop being so lazy and stop daydreaming! Also random obsessions 😂 Finding out there was a genuine reason was great because I could understand why my brain was working differently. 
Good luck! 

easy_g

It is a bit of a postcode lottery I think. The county where I live has no provision for assessment so has to refer people out of county, I'm not getting any younger so rather than wait I chose to go private. Just last month I saw the local NHS was advertising for people to staff an adult ADHD unit they intend to set up soon.

Anyway, going private is quick but costs, especially if the clinical commissioning group where you live either refuses to fund the suggested medication or will only fund if a shared care agreement is in place. This can lead to some private prescription costs (Elvanse/lisdexamphetamine 60mg was £80-£90 a month) and regular (maybe once or twice or year) appointments with your private psych. I was only told this month about a form to request the NHS funds titration periods if you are starting or changing medication, and this was only mentioned when I expressed concern about taking on extra costs during a suggested medication change. I find it infuriating that I have to try and manage the system like this, especially when keeping on top of things is far from my strong point! None of the three GPs I have interacted with at my local practice had heard of Elvanse but this doesn't surprise me. I've had a GP tell me to just stop taking a short half-life SNRI on one day and start taking a different type of a/d the next day - going completely against guidelines, and I've had another GP tell me that they had no doubt I would no more about certain medications than them - it really knocks your confidence in their ability to manage very specific things.

magicgal

Hey @coffeehound
I don’t know if you ever pursued the diagnosis but I was diagnosed last month aged 42. 

Like @seasonalbiz  I contacted a private consultant. I had plenty of choice here in London but did a lot of research and found one I felt comfortable approaching I suffer with depression and anxiety disorder also so it was important for me to find someone I was happy to approach. My GP practice is a team system so none of the docs know me and I’ve been dismissed over so many other health issues, I avoid them unless I need something directly. 

The private consultant did an initial review that I was charged £400 for (going by the hourly rate and how long the review took) He told me that as a result of my financial position, it’s unlikely I’d be able to afford the treatment if I continued with him and he asked if I would mind him sending my doc a referral. I agreed to this and he wrote a comprehensive letter outlining enough that the gp started the process on receipt of the letter. I had to get blood tests and ecg before they could make the referral and once referral was made, I was offered an appointment within six months. The psychiatrist wasted no time in giving me a diagnosis at the end of the session and I was initially prescribed a med that I didn’t really get on woth. I have been given another type which works so much better on me and all being well, I feel a lot more clarity. To the point where I’m realising how neurotypical ppl likely function. It’s quite surreal but I accepted when I began to pursue this that I may not leave with a diagnosis but ‘at least i would know’. As it happens, there are a few conditions that have very similar presentations to ADHD that may fit better but I have also noticed traits in my children and at the time of following up these thoughts, there was a thought that kept coming up where it might be easier to get a referral for them if I had a diagnosis but I didn’t want to put them through any of the testing etc unnecessarily. We are all homeschooling now so it’s not as urgent as it once was but even so, I am glad o can keep an eye on them and find opportunities  that work for their own learning in a way I didn’t have. 

If you have made contact with docs, I wish you well. If you haven’t, I think we would all be happy to answer any further questions you may have. 

I felt it was worth sharing my story for others who may be worried about approaching docs.