I am going in for the assessment I asked for, today.
Purpose of this post is primarily for me to set some realistic expectations based around the results I am increasingly ( perhaps desperately )hoping for. I have specifically asked for an Autism and ADHD assessment. Although Im quite sure about latter, the former I am really not sure about. (Sometimes I think No its not possible, other times I think 50/50, amd other times I think it absolutely must be true- lately I’ve been thinking maybe 30/70 its true -30 its true-70, not true-).
So…I walk in, do it amd he says no you dont have ADHD nor the other nor any other conditions not spoken of.
Perhaps you can give some words of advice for how to handle this in the most healthy way.
I suppose my first thought is…wow so Im just not trying hard enough(performance/professional/personal), im not willing enough to put myself in uncomfortable positions, (social issues) and Im not disciplined enough (routine housework/errands, exercise, hobbies, etc)
Then I have to come to terms with that for a moment and consider if I habe enough suspicion still that this assessment was simply incorrect…and I have to find a different place.
It was hard in thr first place to ask for this because it conflicts me morally, I dont think it is right for me to say “I may have this or that or I definitely do” and so on…that is the “doctors” job. I have been getting better at refraining that thought but if this occurs then it may be resurface more starkly. I will have to rely on myself (and hopefully you all, ) to find another assessor.
Should the opposite happen, I think I am ready for it. (Opinions?)
Alternatively he says I have some condition not considered and in this case i am also not so sure. I suppose worst case scenario I am sociopath, psychopath, and or narcissistic—I have no idea how to accept that. But I know maybe I should consider it?
Anyway- just trying to make sure my expectations are set and any words of consideration are appreciated but I suppose not needed
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Good luck. My diagnosis took a couple hours. So hard to focus that long. Turns out that’s part of the test. Don’t try and mask. Just be honest.
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Unless I am locked tf in (‘hyperfocus’) lol
Thanks
From what I just read I am confident you are AuDHD like me. I am not a doctor. Check out the Auticate YouTube channel or website. Those wonderful people are the ones who first clued me in to the fact that I am autistic, and it was a revelation. Suddenly, all the stuff I thought was just me sucking as a human was explained, and made total sense. AND that it’s totally ok that that’s who I am. I’m rooting for you. Please update us with what you find out!
Ill check it out
He did not diagnose autism which I dont think really disagree with.
I am diagnosed ADHD Inattentive Executive function difficulties Depression (Anxiety, CTS) (These were more notes than diagnoses.
I do believe the way he explained how mood (depression, anxiety) can impact functioning and life in general really made a lot of sense. I will say the methods were not as rigorous as others have mentioned, there was an intake (1 hour), some forms i filled out, some forms people who knew me filled out, (difficult to get those done) and then a presentation of diagnosis after ‘clinical impressions’.
He said the depression and anxiety is foundational snd more important to treat than the ADHD.
He did not confirm or observe-repetetive motions, difficulty with textures, lights, or sounds, or restrictive interests. These were the the cutoff and I scored at or below all Autism spectrum batteries / tests.
What led me to suspect Autism was simply my longstanding feeling of outsiderness. And a distinct lack of social network and feeling irritable and stressed after doing what other people do (eating dinner with several people, going to club, sitting around and talking about last sex things, etc etc )and people often remarking to me how I am different or unusual or eccentric or weird or smart (i am not smart truly, but apparently I know more about a lot of different things than others apparently but i wouldnt claim tha other people do)
So that is how it went. I already felt so confirmed thst I had ADHD tha it wasnt surprise.
For me, treating my ADHD led to success at life, which led to no longer needing depression medication. When I was tested in Rhode Island I did 2 hours of actual attention/memory/cognition etc. tests and they did a full neuropsych profile. That makes me want to question his plan. That said, I am not a doctor and my advice is anecdotal.
Im happy for you that it worked out. I feel I am happy with the outcome of the whole thing even it may have been brief compared to others.
I am worried and excited about medication. I often se e posts with people in similar situations stating they take 2-3 medications sometimes 1 multiple times a day plus the other 2. I am certain I will fail to do that slme point. I am also certain on more than 1 day I will be successful, should I accept this route. Question is how successful, or unsuccessful would I be? I suspect it will be very hard and or unlikely given my other habit issues (eating, brushing, sleeping, waking, etc etc)
