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How do I get a diagnosis?

How do I get a diagnosis?2010-09-02T17:24:25+00:00

The Forums Forums What is it? How do I get diagnosed? How do I get a diagnosis?

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  • #88514

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    I feel like I’m a bit slow on the uptake, but who should I see to be evaluated for a diagnosis? A psychiatrist? A psychologist? My physician?

    I’ve taken the self-assessment online, and I tested positive for combined type, but only just (6 out of 10 on both). I’d like to find someone for further evaluation, but as a 49-year-old woman, I can’t go to the resources we use for my 9-year-old son. I’d also like someone familiar with the influence of hormones on ADHD, especially during menopause. Any suggestions on how to find someone? Incidentally, we live near Boulder, CO, USA, in case anyone is from this area.

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    #95176

    wolfshades
    Member
    Post count: 211

    I went to my family doctor and asked for a referral so that I could find out. My doc was understanding and did just that.

    Word of warning: not all physicians are on board with ADHD yet; not sure why. If your doc isn’t, find one who is.

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    #95177

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    Sharon, if you are in Canada, seek out the local support network or the local College of Physicians and Surgeons and get a listing of psychiatrists who are seeing patients. Obviously, we have tons of informative pieces on the http://www.totallyADD.com website to help you so that when you do get someone to make an assessment, you can feel confident that you know what it will be like.

    If you are from another country, again, go to your local mental health authority or local physician licensing body to help you.

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    #95178

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    Is it bad that I’m trying to do the online test here and am on my 6th attempt because I haven’t been able to finish it yet?

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    #95179

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    Nimthiriel…

    Just finishing IS the test!

    Rofl!

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    #95180

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    Or maybe not being able to finish it is what determines how ADHD you are :-p Your score is actually based on the number of attempts and how quickly you give up on each one ;-)

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    #95181

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    How about the peploe who live in Washinton That does not have medcial? Make to much to get help with Medcial?

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    #95182

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    @ grandmairisleanna, I am was from WA state and when i lived there we had a couple of places in the Seattle area that you could go to the Free Clinic. Granted you could be there for awhile waiting (bring a good book or someone to help you kill the time). I found that while you are there they will treat you like a patient that has medical. you might even be able to get test for AD/HD.

    @Sharon A, I would recommend looking for a free clinic in your area as well to see if there is a way that they can assist you. Here is a link to the Health services for Boulder and they might be able to provide ,more details http://bcn.boulder.co.us/health/center.html#bc

    Best of luck to you both :-)

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    #95183

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    Thank You. I will call around see what I can find.

    (: From family of ADD/ADHD

    LeAnna

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    #95184

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    I am just looking for help. Answers. (I apologize if this is not the correct place to post this. I just stumbled upon this site today.) I honestly. dont know for certain if I have ADD. Maybe Im just paranoid. ? But I saw the documentary (ADD and Loving it) on pbs. and its just making my mine work. overtime.. and it just makes sense. even as i look back through my childhood. thru school. i dont. im confused. how is it possible to not know? anyways. so. I am hoping if anything to clear my head. if at all possible. so if anyone out understands where I am coming from. please let me know. and where to i start?

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    #95185

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    Post count: 14413

    I have an evaluation with a phych doctor on Friday for an ADD evaluation. I’m not really sure what to expect. Should I be making notes so I remember things from the past to bring up. I’m 42 and realizing that it’s very possible that I have ADD. I took the on-line test and had 7 out 9.

    What started me to think about some of this is I have a great job and have been talked to three times in 9 months about some poor work habits. That’s when I started taking a hard look at what was going on. The family doctor started me on Strattera in February and after 2 months, I still find myself spacing off and forgetting things that I shouldn’t. I have my husband’s full support but my mother says these things happen to everyone. Anyway, I could go on forever with this.

    My main question: How do I prepare for this appointment since I’m so bad at on-the-spot questions? :?

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    #95186

    munchkin
    Member
    Post count: 285

    I had a psychologist appointment last week, and I don’t think I made any progress. He seemed to think I “could” have ADHD, voiced doubt that medications work, and wanted to talk about my possible rebellious nature… 😡 no real diagnosis, no serious scientific assessment. I think I learned that you have to really know what your expectations are and ask for that up front, or you may end up wasting time and money on appointments with the wrong people…

    Question: What does an assessment for ADHD consist of, and how do I know if I’m getting the right thing?

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    #95187

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    Post count: 14413

    I have an appointment with an ADHD specialist (psychiatrist) this Thursday. It’s three appointments with this person, the first I’ll have to fill out a big questionnaire at home and bring it back to the second. They will also do some computer testing (sit me down to a boring task). I’ve been told to bring report cards (my mom saved all my grade school report cards, I think I have my high school & two years of unfinished university). And the worst – THREE photos of my living space.

    I downloaded the profile report from here and edited it a bit so I have something to remind me of things I’ve remembered but might forget. I also wrote my own personal history of how my life has progressed (relationships, school, interests, jobs) since I was a child through to now (I’m 55).

    I talked to my dad last week (my mom has passed away) and asked him what he remembered me being like as a child – very active, he said. I can’t talk to my brothers & sister as they are not interested in ADHD (although my mom says she is sure she had it, and I agree).

    My husband also has to come to one of the visits to verify/contradict anything I say. The final visit is a feedback visit.

    So I would say try to dig up any hard evidence in the form of report cards or performance reports from the workplace, try to reflect on what you were like growing up, get some family anecdotes, etc. Write it down so you have something to refer to. Some of the books available have questions that you can ask yourself. Good luck!

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    #95188

    Anonymous
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    Post count: 14413

    @ no_dopamine good luck to you and thanks. I’ve been taking notes of feelings and things that happen so I don’t forget. :D I’m actually starting to get nervous about this and having second thoughts as if maybe this all just in my head and a bad dream. I keep thinking that surely I can snap out of it but never do.

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    #95189

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    Post count: 14413

    Hi G,

    I’m having the second thoughts too. Stopped taking my husband’s ritalin so I can see how things really are. Wondering if I want to be drugged for the rest of my life. Many questions. Hoping for some answers, the first whether or not this is real and if so, what are the options and let’s try them. My therapist says if it’s biochemical issue then drugs will be helpful. But we both know that’s only a beginning, they will help but not the total answer.

    My doctor famously said to me that if you have asthma, no amount of wishful thinking will make it go away.

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