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

[Anonymous]

I recently did 5 hours of testing with a Neuropsychologist who said the tests would determine if I had ADD. When it was over he said he “didn’t think” I had it. He said I may have dislexia and I know for a fact that I have OCD….which I didn’t tell him. I have watched Loving It and Mastering It and they are both telling my story…..without question. My husband confirms it as well. The Dr. said even if I did have ADD he didn’t think medication would be a good idea for me. I didn’t really want to go that route anyway. But I felt the need for an “official” diagnosis and didn’t get it. Is it sufficient to self diagnose? I think I just need it to explain my behavior, even if only to myself, and to not think I’m just the scatterbrain I was called as a child. No one dares call me that today but they say things that mean the same thing.

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[ipsofacto]

Have you had you thyroid levels checked? Sleep Apnea is another possibility. Both can present as ADD symptoms. Otherwise, maybe the therapies used for ADD could help you anyway.

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[Tiddler]

I had extensive testing too. The doctor observed that I have several strategies to compensate for my problems and he said that in some of the subtests it was clear that I have problems qualitatively (he saw me fidgeting or using huge hand gestures to try to remember things for example) but my results were ‘normal’ on those tests. He used his judgement and gave me some other tests too which were conclusive, together with my history.

Do you have some test results to look at and talk about? My doc said even my attention was intact when there were enough distractions to keep me focused but when it was a boring task I was all over the place. Sometimes the results aren’t quite what they seem and sometimes they are and there’s another issue going on. What did he suggest was causing the problems you described?

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[kc5jck]

” a Neuropsychologist who said the tests would determine if I had ADD” . . . fat lot he knows. I don’t think any test can determine ADD. At least not at this stage in the understanding of ADHD. Tests may be useful, but a diagnosis should also involve things such as history and experiences . . . and a doctor that believes that ADHD in adults can and does exist and is not averse to giving a diagnosis of it.

In the future, genetic tests may be able to diagnose ADHD, but I don’t think its here yet.

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[trashman]

I think it makes a different s how well the doctor knows you and much the doc knows about ADD . it is something that they have to understand, before they can make a proper diagnosis.

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[kc5jck]

Trashman has a way of getting to the bottom line – well said Trashman.

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[Philabuster]

If the ADD show really told your story and you felt understood, GET A SECOND OPINION. Not all doctors are good doctors. Just sayin.

I actually pursued diagnosis after I watched ADD and Loving it. Medication also helped, but it was frustrating finding the right med for me. Generic Ritalin (methylphenidate) still working after 1.5 years.

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[Anonymous]

When I looked for a psychologist, I looked for one that specifically did testing for ADHD both for kids and adults. Not all doctors know a lot about ADHD/ADD and how it works, or how it can even present. If you feel like you have ADHD, go get a second opinion.

For me it was 3 hours of testing, and it was very obvious. However, the hyperactivity isn’t noticed by the tests, for example. That was something that my doctor observed. Not only should your doctor be giving you the tests, but they also should be observing you while you’re doing the tests. As someone else said, those of us who’ve gotten to adulthood have learned how to compensate. Your doctor has to understand how that part of it works too.

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[Robbo]

Looks like all the bases are covered. Here’s a bit more.

Have you taken the virtual doctor test here? Here’s a link in case yer lazy like me http://totallyadd.com/virtual-doctor/ hmm, maybe sometimes I/we don’t want to follow directions, n just look lazy… that could be a thing.

Stick with it, n stick around. This is a long term project. You’re the project actually. As a team we all work on our projects here, n other places too.

I think it does help a lot to have an authentic diagnosis. So yep, get the official diagnosis, and start working on the solution now since you’re sure you’re one of us. Welcome to the circus, be prepared for some excitement, ups n downs, and growing pains.

Remember to check out lot’s of the video’s. They’re grrrreat!.

Souper good advice!

http://totallyadd.com/lets-get-on-with-it/

Important! No time? just watch this one. The rest later. Remember!.

http://totallyadd.com/your-personal-strengths/

Funny ones!

http://totallyadd.com/labels-part-1

http://totallyadd.com/label-part-2/

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[Anonymous]

I’ve known something wasn’t “right” since I was a small child…and once I left my parents home started going to therapy to find out “what was wrong with me”. Years of therapy later, although many things had been worked on and corrected, there was still that “something” I couldn’t put my finger on which also kept me from finishing college. One day I met someone who said they knew of a program I could take and pass with “open book” tests, so I signed up and began learning how to be a hypnotherapist. However, it was still difficult to understand and as the weeks progressed, I went from front row to the back row. And then, one day, fate took over and the class was about “how we learn” and I discovered there are 7 ways to do that and, that I was a kinesthetic learner. I finished the program, although I’ve never gone into practice, but what I did do, was start checking out everything I could about learning. And one day, I signed up to go back to college. Yet, again, the discomfort of having to sit in those boring classes started to frustrate me so, I did what lots of us do…I dropped out. And quickly, came a call from the L.D. instructor at the college telling me she knew why I dropped out, and if I didn’t come voluntarily to finalize some testing, she would come and get me.

I was indeed intrigued…and went in and finalized the tests…and when she told me I had ADD (later ADHD), I told her no, kids had that….and she replied kids grow into adults, with IT! I found out my I.Q. that day too and told her she made a mistake which indeed, she hadn’t…that’s how I got diagnosed.

As to those of you in this forum who go to neurologists, here is what the IDIOT I went to told me. He said I was a middle aged woman who didn’t have a good life and was looking for an excuse. He said I needed to find out what I was good at and stick to it because I’d never be anything better…BUT, he said, I’ll give you some Ritalin just to show you it won’t work…and with that, this professional man had the unmittigated audacity to tap me on my knee…

I got the Ritalin immediately, and was quickly jerked into reality and clarity. When I called this so called professional neurologist a few days later, he was stunned and said my goodness, you do have it. I then told him off, indicating how callus he had been and I was worth far more than he ever would be. Of course everyone, I was angry at him…especially when he responded that I had misunderstood him. SO, as for the neurologist who told one of our forum members she didn’t “have it”…go get Dr. Hallowell and Ratey’s “Driven To Distraction”…that book indeed IS the Bible of ADD and find another person who IS professional and willing to help instead of taking your money and laughing all the way to the bank.

I’m new today on TotallyADD because I just saw the PBS program…I live in Houston Texas where they have no clue at this time, about ADD/ADHD. I am originally from L.A. where they DO understand. I am hoping this PBS program was seen by people in the Company I work for, who treat me like an idiot and shutter when I tell them over and over, I MARCH TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER…I have ADHD. I think I haven’t been fired because they are a BIG national company and know about the Disabilities Act. I am not interested in causing them or any company a problem…I just want to be trained properly but more, UNDERSTOOD.

Anyone want to respond…I’ve now had 20 years of learning about ADD/ADHD…and share with people as often as possible, even if only to point them to Dr. Hallowell & Ratey’s precious book.

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[Anonymous]

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[pancakes]

flourshoppe,

Your story is a meaningful one and, unfortunately, not uncommon. All my life I had been told I was lazy, etc., but I knew there was more to it than that.

I believe that with all the resources available to people nowadays, information for ADD/ADHD is accessible. The only problem is that it isn’t nearly as diffuse as it should be; in other words, people shouldn’t have to research to know. Hallowell and Ratey’s “Driven to Distraction,” and TotallyADD’s “ADD and Loving it?!” and “ADD and Mastering it!” are media pioneers for the diffusion of real ADD/ADHD.

Do follow up on how everything goes; all the best.

P.S. sorry for the blank comment above this one–I accidentally sent it on my other account and couldn’t delete it.

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[kc5jck]

flourshoppe – you sound like you have a lot to contribute to this site, I hope you stay around. I think stories like yours are more common than not. Your post helps spread the message to do your own research, trust your instincts, and not give up.

pancakes – I thought you might have sent a post and forgot to write anything in it – kind of like mailing the bill and forgetting to include payment. 😆

Good to have both of you join us.

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[Scattybird]

Welcome flourshoppe – thank you for sharing your story. I am glad the ritalin worked and you could put that patronising idiot ‘in his place’.

We certainly need to choose a specialist in adult ADHD. I was extremely fortunate in finding a neuropsychiatrist who specialises in adult ADHD. She did the usual written tests but conducted a long interview and based her diagnosis primarily on what she observed as well as on the tests – but the interview was the key thing. She has experience and knew what she was looking for.

To date, no other health professional I have come across knows what adult ADHD is. My GP has no clue, people I have encountered in my local hospital look blankly at me. You know the usual question – ‘are you on any medication?’ – one nurse even thought methylphenidate was a painkiller. It’s not fair to be negative about those guys because it’s not their specialism….but in the UK nobody apart from a handful of expensive specialists knows anything about the disorder. Quite frustrating. But at least they admit it – I haven’t been patronised yet but I choose to pay a specialist rather than deal with those who don’t know. That’s very wrong in the UK where our health service is meant to be free. But it’s only free these days if you happen to have something that falls into an NHS priority area. Sadly money needs to be saved and the very few NHS funded ADHD units are closing because it’s not a priority. Guess savings need to be made but they don’t understand the financial costs of not treating something like this.

Rant over – late for work now!

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[ipsofacto]

I have to agree about neurologists. We saw a neurologist my son’s Aspergers. Other than costing us a fortune for a brain scan, and finding out that my son has a larger than average head, it was a complete waste. He wouldn’t even definitely confirm an autism diagnosis.

After seeing a Autism specialist for diagnosis, my son scored 168 on the test. The threshold score is 65.

The best advise I gleaned from ADHD forums was to see an ADHD specialist for both treatment and diagnosis.

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