bbl
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Post by bbl on Apr 6, 2014 13:12:54 GMT
Hi all,
I'm pretty sure I have ADHD/ADD. I'm 27, female, working (freelance), having problems with all sorts of things. Got diagnosed with pretty bad dyslexia when I was 23 - apparently they found out so late because my high IQ was 'censoring' the dyslexia. The psychologist who diagnosed me said I should look into ADHD/ADD testing too as I had numerous 'symptoms'. I found the dyslexia revelation difficult to deal with so couldn't handle the ADHD thing. Now I'm older I've realised that there's a high likelihood that IF I do have AD(H)D then it's probably not helping with my pursuit of a happy, balanced life. So why do it alone if someone with significantly more knowledge may be able to offer a helping hand?
So I got a referral at the end of December but the NHS specialist is taking their sweet ass time. I spoke to them a month ago and they were still going through Octobers referrals. I'm far from stable when it comes to money but surely health is more important? And if they're taking that long just to see if I have it at all I'm probably going to be waiting another 4 months before I get any kind of behavioural help?
I don't want to jump the gun and I'm really not a hypochondriac but I've spoken to a friend with ADHD, read and done fair few example question/answer sheets to diagnose ADHD and I'm consistently coming in around moderate-high. I always felt a bit low and confused when I was younger. These days I just feel frustrated with myself (in between some really positive moments). I feel like I'm holding myself back because even when I manage to try my mind wonders soon followed by my motivation and enthusiasm. I can't remember the last time I even went out socially and I used to a lot!
Should I just bite the bullet and spend some money on being seen privately or will the NHS process not be as bad as the impression I'm getting? All thoughts/experiences would be greatly appreciated.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2014 19:00:09 GMT
I've done both - private is great for speed and just as good as NHS (it's the quality of the individual psych that counts).
It felt like the best money I'd ever spent (even though it wasn't mine)- the diagnosis changed everything, it liberates your mind from the uncertainty.
It can be that your private and NHS medics will combine (shared care agreement) - you could ask your GP.
Private on it's own can be financially draining (ongoing costs can be high) and many start private and convert to the NHS later (you have to be rediagnosed - I did this).
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bbl
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Post by bbl on Apr 7, 2014 14:10:13 GMT
Thanks Dave - I didn't realise an NHS/private combo existed. I'll definitely mention it when I see someone.
Does anyone know of a good private diagnostician near Kingston Upon Thames/Epsom? There aren't any listed in the Surrey section on this site.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2014 14:36:25 GMT
It's not unusual to be diagnosed privately and have meds scripted by the NHS - saves having a private script + prescription charges £££££!
GPs have a choice over what they will do - some will not cooperate until the titration phase is over (getting up to maintenance dose) though mine did that part too.
There must be someone 'in charge' so periodic reviews by the psych are required.
If your GP is amenable to that then it might be worth doing whilst waiting to transfer into the NHS psych services, which would require a rediagnosis.
It's a PITA (done that too) but you only get the one life and getting ahead is best.
There will be specialists within reasonable distance - Oxford and London, they don't grow on every tree (and I used to travel to London to see mine, so no moaning!).
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Post by shapes on Apr 7, 2014 14:56:39 GMT
I don't really know. I saw one specialist privately but they would not treat me as I was not local. I live in the midlands and don't know anyone local to that area who is recommended. The NHS is just slow. Really really slow. And you will probably feel like I do that you don't like knowing you have something wrong with you that can be treated and having to wait a long time for that treatment.
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bbl
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Post by bbl on Apr 8, 2014 1:03:03 GMT
To be honest my GP is just awful. They'll quite happily refer people just so they don't have to deal with them themselves. They told me they'd sent my referral off 30th Dec '13. I called 6 weeks later to see how it was going and found out the place they referred me to hadn't received anything so I had to spend the afternoon toing and froing making sure it was faxed over.
Could I not just approach a private practice directly or would I have to get a separate referral to see one?
I don't mind going into town at all but I'd obviously prefer not to and I'd hate to end up in shapes situation - that must be a real kick in the teeth.. I know I've got to be proactive about it that's for sure though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2014 9:30:34 GMT
Shapes' private experience is unusual - but that's an issue with private medicine, the individual psych is a law unto themselves eg some will not prescribe at all, some insist that they have to write the prescription themselves (money grabbers). Mostly they're more flexible than their NHS equivalents because they're not weighed down by NHS strictures. As for your 6 week old referral - that's not unusual. See Shapes' experience for that (had that one too - eventually went private). GP surgeries can be VERY slow to get off the mark and NHS clinics sometimes only answer their referral enquiries once a month, then your GP surgery has to open it and tell you. I never assume that my GP and clinic have heard from each other (they're both poor at communication but good at treatment). Specialists prefer referrals from other medics but most will accept self referral (yes - I did this too!). It helps if you present with evidence that you've investigated it properly (eg send them several self tests including some of the longer ones eg wender utah ).
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meddler
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Post by meddler on Apr 11, 2014 14:44:48 GMT
I so feel for you bbl! You're exactly where I was this time last year. It's such a postcode lottery with the NHS for ADHD – I'd say, relatively, I hit the jackpot (Berkshire, FYI) since my GP is a total legend and was super keen to get me sorted and the hosp has an adult ADHD clinic. BUT that still wasn't enough for me and I couldn't wait for an appointment so, in my impatience and impulse, I flushed £300 down the toilet for a private psychiatrist who did not have adult ADHD experience and who apparently thought that the single ADHD diagnostic criterion was poor academic performance, which I didn’t have.
Anyway, thankfully, when I returned to my GP to tell her I didn’t have ADHD, she wasn’t buying it and packed me back off to the NHS clinic. It was only really about 7 months ‘til I was on treatment, which seemed an unbearable amount of time at the beginning of it but hey, I made it 27 years so what’s another few months?
Anyway, moral of the story – it depends how bad the NHS situation is where you live, but maybe keep the appointments available as a backup and if you get sorted privately in the meantime just cancel. It’s a lot of money to go private so maybe just think carefully (and choose the doctor carefully!) before you commit to spending what could amount to a lot of money indeed.
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bbl
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Post by bbl on Jun 6, 2014 16:04:39 GMT
Soooooooooo, I've finally got my consultation appointment on the 16th June. 5 1/2 months since I was referred!! AND I'm only going then because I've been pestering the poor lady at the clinic asking how far they managed to get in processing referrals so she put me on a priority list to fill last minute cancellations and one's come up! Woohoo!
Now it's just a matter of hopefully being taken seriously and not getting fobbed off. It would be such a relief to know for sure if it is ADD/ADHD so I can get help and start moving forward with my life instead of going in ever decreasing circle!
Thanks for the advice peeps.
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meddler
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Post by meddler on Jul 29, 2014 8:42:45 GMT
Hi bbl, just wondering how you got on at your consultation?! Hope it went well!
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unohoncho
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Post by unohoncho on Jul 29, 2014 9:36:44 GMT
I've got a private assessment with Dr. Prem Mahadun in August at the Priory in Altrincham, I've already had a useless NHS assessment back in 2004 - Let you know how I get on
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 12:47:59 GMT
They've come on a bit since then.
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unohoncho
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Post by unohoncho on Jul 29, 2014 14:30:43 GMT
Was proper angry at the time Dave, however procrastination prevented me from doing anything about it.... 10 years wasted :/ See what happens in 10 days (Yep, I'm counting the days)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 16:35:14 GMT
I had a similar experience - except I only waited till 2006 before going private. The initial assessment might even have been done by the same person (since you appear to be Manchester-ish). I was quite 'cross' too.
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unohoncho
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Post by unohoncho on Jul 29, 2014 19:19:07 GMT
Nearer to Chester than Manchester Lived in Wakefield for 12 years before moving back home .
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