Re: Expert Doctor says I don't have ADD – I say I do

[wolfshades]

My God. It’s difficult to not get angry at the number of times so many of us get labelled as “lazy” or “not trying hard enough”. I mean, I said that to myself – put myself down – for so many years and believed it. The evidence was there: other people could do projects involving intricate planning and details, and they weren’t any smarter than me (or vice versa) so obviously it *had* to be a matter of laziness.

Toby: it’s worth finding a reputable doctor – someone who is known to have studied ADHD in particular – and getting some testing done. The idea that it might be something else is quite right – it *might* be – but a wild guess, especially if it doesn’t adequately explain your symptoms – is far from helpful. An actual full-on series of tests which include an examination of you and your family’s histories right back to childhood, will clear that up. Many of us who have ADHD also have comorbid conditions as well, and true testing will show all of that. When in doubt, there is nothing wrong at all with getting a second opinion.

For myself, I did the online test here and was surprised at how letter-perfect my symptoms measured up. Then I attended a few seminars and an ADHD support group and heard others’ stories. All of this before ever getting tested. I saw three different professionals, all from the same psychiatric office, before I got my diagnosis (a psychometrist, a psychologist and the psychiatrist himself). When the results were in, I wasn’t as surprised by then so much as grateful that this…..thing….that I’ve carried around all my life had a name. And….that there were so many others just like me.

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