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Re: So I guess in some way, my teachers were right in saying…..

Re: So I guess in some way, my teachers were right in saying…..2010-07-10T06:06:03+00:00

The Forums Forums I Just Found Out! Other So I guess in some way, my teachers were right in saying….. Re: So I guess in some way, my teachers were right in saying…..

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Anonymous
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20? Hardly old from my perspective. I’d been telling my doctor for years that I was ADD and all I got was labelled as bipolar and put on the wrong meds. No better but it certainly made me a lot fatter. :o)

I had to stamp my little feet and demand to be sent to another psychiatrist for a diagnosis to confirm my suspicions or confirm the other MDs diagnosis. Instead, I was told that by the next doc that I MUST be bipolar because I talked quickly. Huh? Yes, that was the ‘clue’ this psychiatrist used to confirm the last one’s diagnosis. BTW, he didn’t want to hear why I thought I was ADHD (he told me that flatly when I went to share my thoughts with him). The consult letter he then sent back to my GP stated the same facts. I talked quickly so it was clear I was bipolar and should remain on the other meds. *Grrrr*

So I asked my GP to send me to a psychiatrist who specializes in adult ADHD. She declared she didn’t know how to find one. There was no mechanism to do so and….if I continued on with this vein of thought she would have to sign a Form 1 (??) on me and have me forcibly admitted to hospital. “You don’t want me to do that, now do you? ” At that point I told her I would find a doctor myself even if I had to cross border shop.

Well, it certainly wasn’t hard to find one and he reassured me that he hears a similar tale from others. He also was kind enough to apologize for what I had been through. I told him that wasn’t his job and not to worry about that.

Why weren’t you diagnosed earlier? Hmmm, I’m a teacher and I’ve recognized ADHD in a lot of students that I’ve had over the years when I had them in Grade 1. Did I bring it up with parents? With the ISRC (Inschool Review Commitee) meetings re: each suspected ADHD child? Sure I did. The school staff listen and are open but the parents sure don’t want to hear the message. Most of them become very defensive (understandably so) even when I very gently tip-toed, beat around the bush until I could ease the ADHD idea into a conversation where I felt it would be well received by them. Unfortunately, a large portion of the general public is under the mistaken perception that all teachers want to do is PUT THEIR KIDS ON DANGEROUS DRUGS!!! We’re apparently all out there to turn them into drug addicts!! AND….there is not a single teacher out there who would even suggest ADHD if they were a half-decent and competent teacher. If their kid is having any issues in the classroom the parents know where those problems all initiate! The teacher.

Yes, you’ve hit a sore spot with me! I’ve run around the bush with this same issue this year and even the parent has admitted there is an issue but they had a list of other options they would like to try first. Chiropractors, yoga, meditation, health foods and herbal supplements, and “He just needs to pay attention and TRY HARDER!” were all on her list of I’m going to try these first before considering a doctor who ‘might’ suggest making my kid a drug addict. Yes, I encouraged her to try all of these first if she was most comfortable with these. I even downloaded all the latest info on childhood ADHD from SickKids, etc and gave it to her for her to read at her leisure. But, it is a parent’s right to choose the option they are most comfortable with and I must acquiece to that. I’m pleased she even had ideas that she wanted to try first because that tells me here is parent who does care. (you wouldn’t believe the number of parents who say if he’s having trouble paying attention and achieving that it is ALL MY problem to deal with. NOT theirs.

Was there follow through on her part? Sadly, no. Is her child still struggling? Very much so. The child is probably one of the most ‘severe’ ADHDers I’ve met over the years of teaching. It broke my heart to have to let him flounder after a while since I can’t ignore the rest of the class to save just one. The rest deserve a bit of my time and attention, too. Meds would probably be life-changing for this child but when I get a “No” response to even consider taking them in to a doctor for an ADHD diagnosis I have to step back. Hey, I’m just the teacher. I’m not supposed to be the heavy pushing a diagnosis down a parent’s throat or I’ll be dragged up on the carpet for that.

Is it surprising, unusual, disappointing that you had to wait until you were 20 to be diagnosed? No, no, and yes, but certainly it is not an uncommon story. Once you’ve been around here for a while you’ll find that many ADHD adults are first treated for depression before they are diagnosed as ADD. That’s how long they have struggled with no diagnosis and the consequences of the issues of it. Eventually, the lucky ones get someone who puts all the pieces together and a loud ‘Aha!’ is heard and the root cause of the depression is found. Dispair and depression caused by the struggles created with untreated ADD/ADHD.

You’ll get over the upset and realize everything really is still OK. Now you’ve got the chance to create and learn some of the strategies you can use to speed you happily on your way in life. Knowledge is power!

Enjoy!

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