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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2009 20:20:16 GMT
Apologies for not writing anything on this forum for some time, especially to those who have sent me a PM.
Get ready for a rant! this story might sound familiar.
I have a real difficulty when it comes to writing things down but tonight I thought I should make an effort.
It was another psychiatrist appointment today and once again it was a different person. It seems I very rarely see the same person twice!
Probably is a nice person and i am probably being unfair. I am going to say this anyway. What a to$$er!
My last psychiatrist was fantastic, very open to my ideas and had a constructive style despite no in depth of knowledge of ADD. My previous psychiatrists, and there have been many, seemed stoned in comparison.
This guy today was like talking to the wall. I had been asked by my GP to bring up the possibility of an autistic spectrum disorder being co-morbid to my ADD(or could it be the other way around?).
This guy though, "what difference does it make, there is no treatment for A.S.D.'s". He said that I might have an A.S.D. but for him that was the end of the story.
Am I being unreasonable here or has this guy missed the point? The conversation went round in circles for a while and he did refer me on to psychiatric services. I have been there and done that! He said that they would help me get on with my life. I don't believe that they will. Not unless they are willing to do detective work and find out what is wrong with me(or right with me depending on your point of view).
Surly an A.S.D. diagnosis is HIS job and he should either rule it in or out rather than leave me in limbo. Now I am left with having to do a self diagnosis which is surly a dangerous thing to do(mind you it worked for ADD, without treatment I would not even be writing this). Some people don't seem to think that a diagnosis is important but I think for me it would be. I think that if someone diagnosed me with A.S.D. in a convincing/scientific way, I could simply say, "hey, I'm fine, everyone else is crazy"! On the aspie quiz I scored 176 out of 200 but that might not mean anything! I'd like to explain to my new friends why I might seem disinterested or rude and why I find noisy or group situations very distressing. I don't want to lose friends again!
I don't even think I got my full half hour that I had been waiting months for! I did not get time to discuss my insomnia, for which I am taking imported melatonin(seems to help). I did not get time to show him the scientific evidence for why melatonin might be helpful! I did not get a chance to tell him(probably irrelevant) that if I keep my potassium, sodium and hydration levels in balance it aids many of my symptoms. Thats the sort of thing he should be telling me but I am having to do all this research by myself. I should not try anymore to get them to catch up!
I decided to complain, something I rarely do. I spoke to the manager and he did listen to me. Nice chap, understanding but I felt that through my limitations I could not convey my points! He felt that my problems problems were being dealt with but recognized that I was unconvinced.
Anyways I am not going to be downbeat about this. I think I can recognize that I am better than them! The medication that I am on has helped me recognize that I do have an IQ and that I always have done! I am in a much better place than I was 4 months ago!
I should really post more on this forum, you know what its like. I think I have been nieve in the past in trusting medical 'professionals' to do the right thing!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2009 22:05:25 GMT
Well done for writing it freewill. Why do you keep seeing different Psychiatrists, I would have thought it easier if the you seen same one continually. And you done the right thing complaining, everyone should complain more. You dont deserve that crap and the knobends that dish that crap out dont deserve their titles.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2009 20:59:12 GMT
Im really sorry to hear that Freewill thanks for letting us know what happened, its so frustrating and i know this may be a negative comment but it makes me start to belive the rumor that some nhs Psychiatrists are failed doctors who where left no over choise than to do Psychiatry, who then got stuck in a rut doing the bear minimum to get there paycheck. i've just heard to many reports of lack luster treatment to not be concerned by there performance also they can pretty much count on not getting many complaints as most people seeing them have other life changing stuff to deal with. either that or its a incredile lack of training and funding
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2009 23:26:08 GMT
Thanks guys! ;D Its strange. Today I kind of felt sorry for the guy! My guess is that he has been brought out of retirement to do cover work. I can also draw similarities with when I used to be a mechanic. On the odd occasion you would have to tell the customer, "sorry we cant service that model, we have not had the training". At least I was honest in saying that, if he had told me that he did not have the training for how to deal with me then I would not have thought any less of him. I would have appreciated the honesty, instead I have found another medical 'professional' that I don't trust. I tried to present him with some neurological facts but he might as well have had his fingers in his ears. "do you think I am fobbing you off", he said. Well I did not think that before he said it! Anyways, I think this is a dead end. I'm still really pleased with the results from concerta. I don't think that I should upset anyone and have them take it away from me. I'll just have to put up with being socially crippled for a good while longer. In the meantime I really want to take up more volunteer work and start an OU openings course. I don't want to take up more psychosocial treatment that did nothing for me in the past! Damn! look at how much I have written, I'm starting to get out of control!! Good night everyone
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garys233
Member's not posted much yet
Rules to live your Life by If you dont eat you dont Sh** If you dont SH** you die
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Post by garys233 on Jun 26, 2009 23:44:24 GMT
No way I went threw the very same fing wen i first got dieagnosed after a wile I told them how i felt cos its hard going over the same fing all the time cos thay dont seem to reed watts in the file you stick with cos one fings for certain we go away
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2009 0:12:01 GMT
Hiya Freewill, I think it's shameful. These are people who are I expect, being paid a very good wage for their qualifications. Yet, we are the ones who know so much information and have done all the hard work ourselves regarding ADHD.
I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't be doing our own research, etc. Just that you would think that these so called experts would care enough about their profession/reputation, to do a little or maybe even a significant amount of research of their own in to an unfamiliar condition.
Instead they do fob off and don't credit us with the intelligence to recognise someone who hasn't done enough homework!
Of course I realise that there are good ones out there aswell :0)
Sorry, just having a little rant, hee hee
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Post by andy12345 on Jun 28, 2009 9:42:22 GMT
I think I can clearly explain this. I expect that if everyone who needed medication in the uk, was medicated, the NHS would collapse epicly. OR, would it? Reduced alcoholism, drug use, aggressive acts/A&E admissions and family breakups. Is it not clear to see, that in most cases medication reduces area-of effect issues and reduced expenditure.
Obviously, ADHD sufferers do have area-of-effect damage, but no way near as bad as SAY, Alcohol, whereby (the most dangerous type, albeit minority of alcoholic) people get totally drunk, break things/people on their way home, wake up the next morning with a hangover, without the slightest idea of the damage they caused. Then, guess what, they do it all over again........ and again. I worked at a petrol station for 13 years and I saw plenty of that, especially as the place was near to two pubs, one in each direction.....
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2009 0:14:19 GMT
The NHS probably in panic mode over the amount of people now coming forward and how expensive this could potentially be. So if they can send you away with a pat on the back, then that's what they will do! Just speculating.
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Post by andy12345 on Jun 29, 2009 1:00:37 GMT
Quite clearly getting rid of a lot of stupid quangos would save money, I think. Or, do quangos give better value for money because it's all tax deductible etc and the Government er.....whatever..
:s
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Post by andy12345 on Jun 29, 2009 1:16:50 GMT
OOOOOOoh, found a link Quangos now seem to be listed as Non-Departmental Public Bodies...that's why I could not find quangos up to date...... www.civilservice.gov.uk/Assets/PublicBodies2008_tcm6-6429.pdfI just happened to pick the department of health due to its 48 advisory/executive depts. :/ Department of Health Executive NDPBs Alcohol Education and Research Council Appointments Commission Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health Commission for Social Care Inspection General Social Care Council Health Protection Agency Healthcare Commission Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Human Tissue Authority Monitor – Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts National Biological Standards Board Advisory NDPBs Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee Advisory Board on Registration of Homoeopathic Medicines Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood Tissues and Organs Advisory Group on Hepatitis British Pharmacopoeia Commission Commission on Human Medicines Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Committee on the Safety of Devices Expert Advisory Group on AIDS Gene Therapy Advisory Committee Genetics and Insurance Committee Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Human Genetics Commission Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV Independent Reconfiguration Panel Independent Review Panel for Advertising Independent Review Panel for Classification of Borderline Products Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation National Joint Registry Steering Committee Patient Information Advisory Group Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education The NHS Pay Review Body -------------------------------
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2009 17:06:06 GMT
Hi everyone
More confusion to this story. Ive seen this guy again today and now have a diagnosis of an ASD along with my ADHD.
Just like that!
No boxes to tick. No history considered. I don't know what kind of ASD. No other conditions were ruled out. I am still left to find out myself the exact characteristics of my condition so that I can avoid future problems. So much for piece of mind!
Yet I'm pretty happy with how today went. I had an advocate along to help me out and it was really good having someone on my side. It was quite funny seeing that NHS mental health just does not get it when it comes to these matters. Its like they are scared to put labels on people even though thats not what I'm after.
I think I'm intelligent enough to know that it is an ASD(with ADHD). It just would be nice to have a professional opinion in case I'm wrong.
Ive summed up today as best I can even though it was a bit more complicated than what I have told you.
The really good news is that my next appointment is likely to be with my usual psychiatrist. ;D
Freewill
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Post by boo on Sept 15, 2009 18:16:36 GMT
freewill, its good that your next appt will be with your regular psych.i totally understand that its not the label you are after but an answer that you can clearly move forwards with.
its all very well any of us self dx, and it seems that most of us do before we get the official one rather than the other way round, but like you have said, its having it dx officially that gives the peace of mind and helps you to know how to take things forwards.
and i think it probably added to the confusion with the sudden turnaround too, i mean, whats all that about.
hopefully when you get back to your regular doc, he/she will be able to help you in taking this forwards.
i know MH is not always straightforward, but its nice to be able to box things off and get some answers, from the professionals, after all, they are supposed to know best......arent they??
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2010 21:00:21 GMT
Sorry I can only manage a short update to this. Saw a nice man yesterday at the clinic. He spent a couple of hours with me. I now have a diagnosis of aspergers! Freewill
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Post by andy12345 on May 22, 2010 10:54:38 GMT
Hey free,
I went to the maudsley recently and the Doc was not sure I have ADHD but my some of my descriptions of myself point to some autistic traits. I have inattentive like ADHD symptoms with what would be a "sensitive person trait" avoiding social things all my life, lack of any relationships, avoiding violence, always in two minds (or more) about whatever I do, no hobbies, attracted to computer use, but certainly not addicted (just a tool ultimately) I don't even play computer games anymore. Failure to function efficiently under pressure or deadlines. Close person's issues can affect me a lot, putting me into a sort of temporary depressed state (It would be called an adjustment or affective disorder with a low mood I suppose) like dysthymia/atypical depression. I told him phrases like "I'm a prisoner of my mind" "analysis paralysis" I avoid delicate situations like the plague if I think they will cause me any emotional distress.
Its like I have the careless side of adhd and the precision of perfectionism and they crash together resulting in quite some frustration.
Who knows though, maybe if I get a tiny dose of ADHD drugs, I might be able to function. I'm going back for tests within a month perhaps ( I think)
So, are you presumed to be higher functioning as well as aspergers?
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2010 1:19:04 GMT
Hi Freewill,
I study with the OU, and I know there is a fairly new level 1 course specifically about the Autism Spectrum. I haven't done it, but, others who have just finished it have said it is very good... Just thought with you mentioning the OU and your new ASD diagnosis, and also with you not wanting anymore therapy, it might be something interesting? Personally, I think learning about everything I can is the best therapy for me.
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rick123
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Post by rick123 on May 23, 2010 14:56:38 GMT
Freewill Keep plugging away at the system, you have had a long and bumpy ride. Combined AS/ADHD can be tough and there is little help in Scotland at present, especially if you have high functioning AS.
I am still trying to arrange a support group meeting in Glasgow - earliest I can fix is 1st week in July due to hols/other commitments. Next meeting is in Falkirk on 13th June, but I appreciate that that's a long journey for you.
If you wish I can take up your case with Hugh O'Donnell MSP. He is sponsor for the proposed Scottish Autism Bill and has some sympathies for mental health issues. You posted info about this in February.
scottishadhd@googlemail.com
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