Re: ADHD Journeys and the Unbelievers

[munchkin]

The whole labelling thing is exactly how I didn’t get help, and I’ve seen it throughout my family.

I think it’s a well meaning, but outdated concept. There was a time when people were being labelled with psychological problems, where there was no real treatment, and the only thing the label did was put stigma on the person. So there was this “anti labelling” backlash where unless you had schizophrenia or something – you should not be labelled – for your own good. That was back in th 70’s and 80’s but the attitude persists. Now – they are developing more and more treatments for neurological- based problems that are with the brain, not because of your upbringing or something like that. In that case – we don’t need a label, we need a diagnosis so we can pursue treatment!

I had to search for a psychologist who would do an actual assessment for ADD. It wasn’t a 2,000 dollar mega-assesment – just a questionaire for me to fill out on myself, and my spouse to fill out on me. Previous to that, I dealt with a series of uninformed doctors who had me going in circles.

The way I finally got a helpful psychologist was to ask our marriage counselor to refer me. He didn’t just tell me a name right off – he was actually willing to make a few calls and find me someone who was up and knowlegable on ADD. Thank goodness for that.

REPORT ABUSE