Reply To: Diagnostics team wants "proof" from childhood

[blackdog]

@helenboll, I agree with the others, it is very important to make sure they know that your brother was diagnosed. Also, maybe your brother or someone else could fill out the questionnaire that your mother did, to provide a second opinion.

When I went for my assessment the psychiatrist insisted that I bring a “collateral historian” with me. The only person I have is my mother and I was afraid that she wouldn’t see the signs in me. I tried to use the excuse that she is elderly and might not remember things very well. And I have to admit that I tweaked the questionnaire a little bit. She can’t see well enough to read so I had to read the questions to her and fill in her answers. I did it honestly but I kind of prodded her a little, giving her little reminders where necessary.

But I didn’t need to worry. By the time the psychiatrist was done talking to her his mind was pretty much made up, before he even looked at the questionnaire.  It was more what she said than anything that convinced him, though I also scored pretty high on the tests.

The myth that people with ADHD can’t do well in school gets in the way of getting a diagnosis all the time. I was told that I couldn’t have ADD because I graduated from high school. And before that I was told that it wasn’t ADD because I said that I had good days and bad days and if it was ADD every day would be the same. Which could not be further from the truth.

But it sounds like the doctor you were talking to understands and is willing to listen.

@kc5jck You have plenty to add. A cheery welcome, an extended hand of friendship, interesting conversation. And all those links to other threads. I don’t know how you do it. Really, I can’t even remember where I read something, never mind finding it again.

 

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