Do I have ADHD?
Hi,
I was recently scrolling on LinkedIn to come across a post where a professional was detailing tasks at work she struggled with (procrastination on tasks, deliberating unnecessarily etc) and how it was part of her diagnosis of ADHD and how she overcame those.
It was the first time I'd read those same issues I struggle with every day and linked it to ADHD. I've always known I've had extreme anxiety (including social) for most of my life, that I struggle to handle stress and pressure in all areas of life, mood swings where I become totally uncommunicative to people at home. As a "man of the house" I know jack about maintaining it or arranging/organising work people to resolve those problems. So I just think **** it, it will blow up in my face eventually.
I've undertaken an adult ADHD screener on ADHD.uk, where the results suggested to seek clinical help but if I was to, what support is given? I'd experienced NHS CBT when I had one session to discuss my mental health but I fear they won't have the cultural/religious understanding to really help. IDK if they give medication?
Firstly, do is it more likely I have ADHD (please do no hesitate to ask any further questions) and secondly what is the NHS process after you speak to a GP and complete, what I gather, is an assessment?
Thank you
I was recently scrolling on LinkedIn to come across a post where a professional was detailing tasks at work she struggled with (procrastination on tasks, deliberating unnecessarily etc) and how it was part of her diagnosis of ADHD and how she overcame those.
It was the first time I'd read those same issues I struggle with every day and linked it to ADHD. I've always known I've had extreme anxiety (including social) for most of my life, that I struggle to handle stress and pressure in all areas of life, mood swings where I become totally uncommunicative to people at home. As a "man of the house" I know jack about maintaining it or arranging/organising work people to resolve those problems. So I just think **** it, it will blow up in my face eventually.
I've undertaken an adult ADHD screener on ADHD.uk, where the results suggested to seek clinical help but if I was to, what support is given? I'd experienced NHS CBT when I had one session to discuss my mental health but I fear they won't have the cultural/religious understanding to really help. IDK if they give medication?
Firstly, do is it more likely I have ADHD (please do no hesitate to ask any further questions) and secondly what is the NHS process after you speak to a GP and complete, what I gather, is an assessment?
Thank you
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I was recently scrolling on LinkedIn to come across a post where a professional was detailing tasks at work she struggled with (procrastination on tasks, deliberating unnecessarily etc) and how it was part of her diagnosis of ADHD and how she overcame those.
It was the first time I'd read those same issues I struggle with every day and linked it to ADHD. I've always known I've had extreme anxiety (including social) for most of my life, that I struggle to handle stress and pressure in all areas of life, mood swings where I become totally uncommunicative to people at home. As a "man of the house" I know jack about maintaining it or arranging/organising work people to resolve those problems. So I just think **** it, it will blow up in my face eventually.
I've undertaken an adult ADHD screener on ADHD.uk, where the results suggested to seek clinical help but if I was to, what support is given? I'd experienced NHS CBT when I had one session to discuss my mental health but I fear they won't have the cultural/religious understanding to really help. IDK if they give medication?
Firstly, do is it more likely I have ADHD (please do no hesitate to ask any further questions) and secondly what is the NHS process after you speak to a GP and complete, what I gather, is an assessment?
Thank you
I was recently scrolling on LinkedIn to come across a post where a professional was detailing tasks at work she struggled with (procrastination on tasks, deliberating unnecessarily etc) and how it was part of her diagnosis of ADHD and how she overcame those.
It was the first time I'd read those same issues I struggle with every day and linked it to ADHD. I've always known I've had extreme anxiety (including social) for most of my life, that I struggle to handle stress and pressure in all areas of life, mood swings where I become totally uncommunicative to people at home. As a "man of the house" I know jack about maintaining it or arranging/organising work people to resolve those problems. So I just think **** it, it will blow up in my face eventually.
I've undertaken an adult ADHD screener on ADHD.uk, where the results suggested to seek clinical help but if I was to, what support is given? I'd experienced NHS CBT when I had one session to discuss my mental health but I fear they won't have the cultural/religious understanding to really help. IDK if they give medication?
Firstly, do is it more likely I have ADHD (please do no hesitate to ask any further questions) and secondly what is the NHS process after you speak to a GP and complete, what I gather, is an assessment?
Thank you
Hi there! Your experience sounds SO CLOSE to mine with autism! Around eight months ago, I was just seeing so many stories and struggles of people that were just too close to mine in a way no one else around us had. It took me a long time of going 'no I'm overreacting' or 'you look normal'. It was harder for me because I'm female and we don't get treated the same when it comes to any of it and no one believes you. But one of my good friends echoed the words of "there's no harm in finding out" so I did and behold, I have autism, social anxiety (and (possible) ADHD but because I didn't apply for that assessment, they won't diagnose it.)
The process is hella long, I'm not going to lie to you. But in terms of outcomes, I asked by recently diagnosed friend with ADHD for you. For context, we are both adults. So she said that they offer medication through triage (which took her around 3-5 month to get) and CBT who is a specialist in Neurodiversity. which she still hadn't gotten yet. Sometimes they offer occupational therapist but it's also easier to get work reasonable adjustments and support groups.
The NHS waiting list is currently nearly 5 years long. I honestly would use them as your last resort and getting onto it is A NIGHTMARE. Which is frustrating. I went through my right to choose because there was no way I could wait that long because I was struggling so badly at University with coping and needed help. My right to choose was Pychaiatry UK and the NHS paid for it all, I waited 4 months for an assessment instead of 4 years. The ADHD one is slightly longer but still shorter than the NHS. Or there is private if you can afford it, which I couldn't.
I also won't lie to you and say that was easy. I saw 4 GPS before one agreed to refer me to that because the others just wanted standard NHS. Don't let them bully you if you are serious about wanting to find out because even though I waited 4 months instead of 4 years, it was still painful dealing with the 'what if'. Maybe you're different, I know it's all experience! It's helpful to take a family member who knows you to see them and complete and print the ADHD questionnaire out on the RTC websites linked to show them you are getting high scores. I found it helpful to write down all points I met with the criteria and how badly it impacted me.
My understanding was that if I don't, no one needs to know. And if I do, I can decide who needs to know! I had understanding parents but it took my dad a long time to come around to it because to him 'I was just a little weird as a child'. My sisters were amazing but my uncle hasn't been told because he's not someone who I want to know so it's about who you need around you.
For me, I was just glad to have an answer tbh. The help has been so amazing by my university but the help from the NHS isn't great. The only one I've met with so far is an occupational therapist. I'm supposed to get monthly check-ups on my mental health, no one contacts me, and the CBT is nowhere to be seen. However, some of my friends have jobs now (all of my friends either have autism or ADHD) and every reasonable adjustment has been met so that is a positive. Some go to work a little later, have their own private space, are allowed music or breaks ect.
Sorry, I have a habit of rambling but I hope within the waffle, some of it was useful.
https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/
https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I was recently scrolling on LinkedIn to come across a post where a professional was detailing tasks at work she struggled with (procrastination on tasks, deliberating unnecessarily etc) and how it was part of her diagnosis of ADHD and how she overcame those.
It was the first time I'd read those same issues I struggle with every day and linked it to ADHD. I've always known I've had extreme anxiety (including social) for most of my life, that I struggle to handle stress and pressure in all areas of life, mood swings where I become totally uncommunicative to people at home. As a "man of the house" I know jack about maintaining it or arranging/organising work people to resolve those problems. So I just think **** it, it will blow up in my face eventually.
I've undertaken an adult ADHD screener on ADHD.uk, where the results suggested to seek clinical help but if I was to, what support is given? I'd experienced NHS CBT when I had one session to discuss my mental health but I fear they won't have the cultural/religious understanding to really help. IDK if they give medication?
Firstly, do is it more likely I have ADHD (please do no hesitate to ask any further questions) and secondly what is the NHS process after you speak to a GP and complete, what I gather, is an assessment?
Thank you
I was recently scrolling on LinkedIn to come across a post where a professional was detailing tasks at work she struggled with (procrastination on tasks, deliberating unnecessarily etc) and how it was part of her diagnosis of ADHD and how she overcame those.
It was the first time I'd read those same issues I struggle with every day and linked it to ADHD. I've always known I've had extreme anxiety (including social) for most of my life, that I struggle to handle stress and pressure in all areas of life, mood swings where I become totally uncommunicative to people at home. As a "man of the house" I know jack about maintaining it or arranging/organising work people to resolve those problems. So I just think **** it, it will blow up in my face eventually.
I've undertaken an adult ADHD screener on ADHD.uk, where the results suggested to seek clinical help but if I was to, what support is given? I'd experienced NHS CBT when I had one session to discuss my mental health but I fear they won't have the cultural/religious understanding to really help. IDK if they give medication?
Firstly, do is it more likely I have ADHD (please do no hesitate to ask any further questions) and secondly what is the NHS process after you speak to a GP and complete, what I gather, is an assessment?
Thank you
From everything you have said nothing suggests ADHD (i work in this specific field). Those symptoms you saw referenced online are common in the majority of the population and not specific to ADHD. Online ADHD screeners are not very valid or reliable, the best screeners are done by qualified mental health professionals, as it is very easy to score in clinical range even if you just disclose everyday symptoms. This is not to denigrate you or your experience, as you must be experiencing some significant difficulties to consider going down an assessment pathway.
You can of course continue for an assessment via your gp, they would refer through NHS. I would hold off on private as the recent panorama prorgamme exposed private diagnoses with very little evidence. We do get a lot of private diagnoses referred to our service (national health service) and most get the diagnosis taken off them as they are not valid or accurate, so dont waste your money on them.
If you have trouble procrastinating then go online and look at techniques to help, as they are lots of good strategies online. It does sound like anxiety is a big issue for you, give CBT a chance as it may really help. A good therapist is an understanding one, they will work with you and your religion etc.
Hope this helps,
Greg
From everything you have said nothing suggests ADHD (i work in this specific field). Those symptoms you saw referenced online are common in the majority of the population and not specific to ADHD. Online ADHD screeners are not very valid or reliable, the best screeners are done by qualified mental health professionals, as it is very easy to score in clinical range even if you just disclose everyday symptoms. This is not to denigrate you or your experience, as you must be experiencing some significant difficulties to consider going down an assessment pathway.
You can of course continue for an assessment via your gp, they would refer through NHS. I would hold off on private as the recent panorama prorgamme exposed private diagnoses with very little evidence. We do get a lot of private diagnoses referred to our service (national health service) and most get the diagnosis taken off them as they are not valid or accurate, so dont waste your money on them.
If you have trouble procrastinating then go online and look at techniques to help, as they are lots of good strategies online. It does sound like anxiety is a big issue for you, give CBT a chance as it may really help. A good therapist is an understanding one, they will work with you and your religion etc.
Hope this helps,
Greg
You can of course continue for an assessment via your gp, they would refer through NHS. I would hold off on private as the recent panorama prorgamme exposed private diagnoses with very little evidence. We do get a lot of private diagnoses referred to our service (national health service) and most get the diagnosis taken off them as they are not valid or accurate, so dont waste your money on them.
If you have trouble procrastinating then go online and look at techniques to help, as they are lots of good strategies online. It does sound like anxiety is a big issue for you, give CBT a chance as it may really help. A good therapist is an understanding one, they will work with you and your religion etc.
Hope this helps,
Greg
Perhaps it's just me thinking ott.
However, what I wrote was a snippet of my life at the moment not taking into account what I've felt are incidents in my childhood, teenage years etc that have, I felt, led me to this point.
Admittedly, I've thought it was anxiety but more so recently, I find it weird how I struggle to remember things from situations when I'm anxious or how I ultimately procrastinate from tasks that led to issues (such as a work project going beyond the deadline because I wasn't assertive enough to pull it back on track; or how I literally spent a few weeks working from home web browsing because I could not figure out how to do important projects as I know I didn't have the capability to do so).
Life is beyond busy at the moment with everything else I'm dealing with so more than likely I'll let it all blow up in my face, take the embarrassment, humiliation and work criticism on the chin and then collapse into an uncommunicative foul mood at home etc
However, what I wrote was a snippet of my life at the moment not taking into account what I've felt are incidents in my childhood, teenage years etc that have, I felt, led me to this point.
Admittedly, I've thought it was anxiety but more so recently, I find it weird how I struggle to remember things from situations when I'm anxious or how I ultimately procrastinate from tasks that led to issues (such as a work project going beyond the deadline because I wasn't assertive enough to pull it back on track; or how I literally spent a few weeks working from home web browsing because I could not figure out how to do important projects as I know I didn't have the capability to do so).
Life is beyond busy at the moment with everything else I'm dealing with so more than likely I'll let it all blow up in my face, take the embarrassment, humiliation and work criticism on the chin and then collapse into an uncommunicative foul mood at home etc
This online stuff is nerve-wrecking, at the end, you feel like you could have everything. But I would suggest, to seek answers. It is nicer and helps finding out, what helps you. Knowing you do not have it, can also help.
(edited 9 months ago)
