((holy cannoli, this is a long post! Sorry about that!))
Last month I finally succombed to pressure from family members and my career coach and went to my family doctor (who I've only seen once before) to ask for an ADHD eval. I described some of the things I was feeling, and he pretty much said that he thinks that I am probably just a normal person with some anxiety issues, but after suggesting that I may have to travel an hour away for a several-hour long testing that will cost me over 00 (he was trying to scare me away, I think), he referred me to his psych colleague in the same clinic.
So the Psychiatrist sat with me for about an hour while I explained my family history (my Dad, Sister and Nephew have been diagnosed), what I was feeling, why I think I have ADHD.
I came out of that appointment really feeling let down. He pretty much said that I'm normal, and that people who really have ADHD are "very irritating" to be around, and that my problems with irritability/noise intolerance are probably hearing/age related (I'm 37), and I need to go down the hall to have my hearing evaluated (I hear very well, thank you).
I mentioned that I thought there were a few types of ADHD (such as predom. inattentive, combination, and hyperactivity/impulsivity), and he tells me that no, there aren't different levels of ADHD. It's like electricity. Either you get shocked or you don't. Either you have ADHD or you don't. But that if I want to pursue this further, I'd need to travel to an office over an hour away for a several-hour long evaluation that will cost me over ,000.
I confessed that I tried one of my Dad's ritalin pills when I was very agitated at a water park recently (the water noise, the people noise -- all these noises coming at me), and it was SO calming and relieving. Then he went off on this "of course it felt good - its a stimulant. Just like caffiene makes you feel good in the morning and drinking a cup of coffee helps you to focus on your work." So, pretty much making me feel like some kind of wannabe junkie.
Then he said "So what if you're anxious / inattentive / can't tolerate noises - everybody is like that from time to time." He also said that because I got B's, C's and D's in high school, and I'm currently getting straight A's, that I can't have ADHD, because if I had ADHD I'd be getting F's.
The thing is, in elementary school and in high school, teachers have told me and my mom a number of things, including that one who couldn't understand how I do well in math when I don't pay attention, one who said I could get better grades if I paid attention in class, and one who told my mom that he can't tell "where I am" because it always seemed I was in LaLa-Land. And the only reason I'm getting straight A's right now is because I am SO hyper-focused on my schoolwork now that I'm an adult (to the exclusion of all else) and I know how important grades are. I still miss dumb things in class and a few deadlines here and there, but I have still managed to pull off all A's.
The doctor went on to explain that only 5% of kids have ADHD, and only 1% of adults do, because kids grow out of it. So statistically speaking, he doesn't think I have it. I can't argue the stats - I just think that I am one of the 1%.
I just really left feeling foolish and completely disregarded and unheard. So, according to this doctor, it seems that the only correct diagnoisis for ADHD involves a patient who is hyperactive, gets poor grades, and is an incredibly irritating person to be around. I just think that this doctor seems to be dismissing the people with ADHD who aren't hyper, and I'm too demoralized to try to do this again with a new doctor.
I know I haven't gotten into a lot of why I think I have ADHD, but I'll get into that more if you want.
NickerSnicker, Can you go to a different doctor/psychiatrist or are you locked in to this doctor due to insurance? Obviously, they aren't "listening" to you. Some medical professionals don't really believe that ADD exists. Also, I never had to take any ,000 worth of tests or anything like that. My therapist refered me to the psychiatrist she works with. I had a session with him, he asked me questions, and we talked a lot. At the end of the session he said that he felt that I did have ADD and asked me if I wanted to try the medication. He said that the only way to know for sure is to take the medicine. He said that if you are NOT ADD, the medicine will make you feel "jumpy" since it's a stimulant. But, if you are ADD, you'll notice the difference! I took it--I noticed the difference!! :)
I'm 43, diagnosed at 40, taking meds for 3 years now. I also did poorly in school. HOWEVER, like you, as an ADULT in college, I did extremely well. I graduated when I was 35, with honors! Yes, I also hyperfocused because I enjoyed it so much--I was doing what I wanted to do! It sounds like you already know that ADDers can hyperfocus when doing something they enjoy doing.
There are quite a few self-tests online. This is the one my therapist suggested: http://www.oneaddplace.com/add-test.php (scroll down and you'll see the test) remember that this will just give you some idea-- post back and let me know how you scored--if you want to.
I really think that you should ask around and get a recommendation on a doctor in your area who is more "receptive" to considering ADD in adults.
3RingCircus39302.7996990741Thanks for that link, 3ring. I had actually taken it before I had decided to get an evaluation (several months ago), and I scored about a 53-55 for the #2 scoring question (number of responses with a score of 3 or higher). For evaluation question #'s 1, 6, & 7, I scored a 3, 4, and 4 respectively. I don't remember my total score, though.
I didn't bring it to either doctor appointment because I didn't want to seem like I was saying "See? The internet test says I have ADHD! Now give me some meds!" I think doctors tend to dislike that. And besides, since they don't seem to believe that ADHD exists absent the hyperactivity, it would have done little good.
I don't think that I'm locked in to that clinic, and would love to know how to find another doctor. If worse comes to worse, I'm considering going up to where my parents live (2 hours from me) and just paying cash for an appointment with the doctor that diagnosed my Dad. My Dad is the opposite of what the doctor at my last appointment described - NOT irritating, he also got A's in college, and is not hyperactive. However, I think the inattention issues are more of an issue with me than they are with my Dad.
Thanks for your post.
NickerSnicker,
I just have to add one more thing... That doctor you saw told you that you could not have ADD/ADHD because you were making A's in college. That's ridiculous! Anyone familiar with this disorder knows that people with ADD/ADHD can hyperfocus on things that they enjoy doing or want to do! Also, the disorder usually runs in families too. It's so obvious that those doctors just don't want to diagnose you (or perhaps anybody) with this disorder. You know, I'm just angry about your experience with those docs!! I like your idea about going to your dad's doctor. You can relate your experience to him, and ask him to refer you to a doctor in your area. If you take stimulants you'll need a local doctor because docs can't write prescriptions with refills because of the type of drug. So you have to get a new prescription each month.
Post back and let me know how it goes!!! AND DON't EVER go back to those other doctors again!!! I'm too angry with them!!!
I would go to the doc that diagnosed your dad. That doc is certainly educated on adult ADHD. Look at the following link for good science based info on ADHD.
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about
[QUOTE=ADD&Proud]Okay, I am pissed off on your behalf! The doctor doesn't know what he is talking about. Of course I am scratching my head on how a psychiatrist could not recognize ALL of the symptoms of ADD and knows that there are subtypes of ADD. He is apparently only familiar with the they hyperactive type. Apparently that is the only type the AMA recognized when he received his doctorate. If his doctorate was worth the paper it was written on he would know that a stimulant has the opposite effect on an ADD person. One more like an anti-depressant. If a non-adder takes a stim, they are bouncing off the walls. HELLO!!!Go find yourself another psych. Even if you have to drive an hour away. Who diagnosed your family members? Apparently those docs know what they're talking about and are sympathetic. It's good that you have family support for your condition. [/QUOTE]
I agree. But the problem is that despite how long ago he got his degree (I think he's in his late 30's/early 40's) he should be aware of ADHD's three types if he reads the medical and psychiatry journals. But I have to add that I'm not really sure what the latest research says about ADHD vs. what information out there is drug corporation propaganda. I'll have to do more research into trying to find out where he is coming from. Not that I agree with him - I just want to know if there is some camp out there that doesn't agree with what is considered to be common knowledge about ADHD.
Okay, I am pissed off on your behalf! The doctor doesn't know what he is talking about. Of course I am scratching my head on how a psychiatrist could not recognize ALL of the symptoms of ADD and knows that there are subtypes of ADD. He is apparently only familiar with the they hyperactive type. Apparently that is the only type the AMA recognized when he received his doctorate. If his doctorate was worth the paper it was written on he would know that a stimulant has the opposite effect on an ADD person. One more like an anti-depressant. If a non-adder takes a stim, they are bouncing off the walls. HELLO!!!
Go find yourself another psych. Even if you have to drive an hour away. Who diagnosed your family members? Apparently those docs know what they're talking about and are sympathetic. It's good that you have family support for your condition.
I have read so many similar stories that when I went to talk to my physician a few weeks ago about Adult ADD (I am 34) I was expecting to go through somthing similar. He first sent me for blood tests just to make sure there wasn't anything else going on. Not to rub salt in your wound, but I was kind of shocked when I went to my follow up appointment and he pretty much wrote me a prescription for Adderall on the spot with no questions asked. No phychiatrist exams, no testing, no additional questions. Nothing. I am amazed at the range of reactions and treatments that people seem to encounter from different doctors.