benji0301
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Post by benji0301 on Nov 4, 2015 5:10:56 GMT
I am at the beginning of my journey to hopefully get diagnosed or make sense of why I am the way I am. I have been the way I am for as long as I can remember but it was a less known condition when I was a child growing up in the 70s (you were just classed as being naughty) plus the lack of TV's, computers, Xboxes meant that I was constantly physically active which I think helped the repress the symptoms in someways. I was naturally gifted at most things and always learned new skills easily but could not stick to any sport long enough to become good at it... I grew bored easily and needed a new challenge frequently (my poor parents paid a fortune on all the new fads that I decided to try).
I put some of my symptoms n google a couple of weeks ago and Adult ADHD came up, I printed off a list of the symptoms of both the NHS and an American one (not sure of the site...memory loss is annoying) and after going through it I display all bar one of the symptoms (the no fear of personal danger is one I seem to have outgrown over the years).
I think looking back that I have always been like this right from school age where I was highly intelligent but lacked intimate social skills....I was always talking out of turn, not really focussing on what was said, appearing disinterested and generally classed as being a bit of dreamer. This had its upshot in that I was a creative thinker, very artistic and gifted academically but never reached my full potential as I always procrastinated and looked for something new to amuse myself with. I was naughty but not in a bad or evil way.
I am now a 43yrs old and quite frankly am really struggling in my work and personal life, one minute I am completely focussed and can see a exactly what I need to do to from start to finish to create, build or plan something and the next I have bouts of mood swings, depression, anger, guilt and self criticizing. I fly off the handle very easily and a few minutes later I cannot understand why the people around me are upset. My home is full of wonderfully conceived half finished home improvement projects (much to my wife's dismay).
I have always avoided large groups as I quickly get singled out as a loner/outsider, I do not easily confirm to mob mentality, constantly questioning the norm which has led to bullying and isolation. I seem to be able to pick up on these signals quickly and feel quite hurt but as I forget things really easily I end up forgiving/making the same mistakes with people most of whom I have found to be quite nasty (not sure if its jealousy that I am able to do things quite easily or have been given positions/jobs they wanted).
I finally had enough last week and went to my GP armed with the list of symptoms, initially he said that it was similar to depression but I told him that I had been like it for as long as I could remember and bless him he has referred me for a consultation/assessment.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy the high of being focussed on something but when I do I almost become OCD and everything else that should be important gets in the way or is left at the wayside, my poor spouse has put up with this for 20+ years and I cannot keep putting her through this. She unfortunately doesn't like seeing doctors and thinks that I'm being overly dramatic (which I am a lot...is that another symptom) in saying that I think I have ADHD but is at the moment supporting me.
I got my dream job 13 years ago (I am slightly worried of saying what I do as I am still paranoid that someone I work with will find out) and was promoted very quickly as when I was new and focussed the people could see my potential. The only problem with my career choice is it involves working closely within a tight knit team and I struggle in this as you are together 48 hours a week and its hard to stay focussed for that long. I was recently promoted into a higher managerial level within the training department and currently have great focus (the social stuff still isn't there) but am now worried about what will happen when I bore of this.
Sorry I digressed totally, my queston is how long does the diagnosis process generally take with the NHS? Is is worth paying for private assessment?
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Post by hermanli on Nov 5, 2015 1:51:13 GMT
Dreamer = Sounds like ADHD-PI which (as planetdave woudl say) Blends into Asperger Syndrome/ASD
Asperger Syndrome = Social Difficulties and;
"I do not easily confirm to mob mentality, constantly questioning the norm which has led to bullying and isolation. I seem to be able to pick up on these signals quickly and feel quite hurt"
Both ASD & ADHDers are good at avoiding mob mentality and thinking rationallly/analytically or uniquely/creatively instead. You do not realise how valuable this is to the WHOLE of humanity throughout history! So whatever you do do not feel bad about this trait. This also links into your artistic creativity.
ADHD has hyperfocus, Aspergers has "special interests" or "obsessions" and OCD is generally a mandatory component of Aspergers. With both hyperfocus & obssesions, it is typical to lose interest and any awareness of anything else.
It sounds like you have some of the associated mood problems that both groups can run into, this may be at the level where they are considered significant mental illness in their own right. It sounds like the OCD could be involved to some degree.
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Post by chaoticwitch on Nov 5, 2015 6:22:56 GMT
HI benji0301, It sounds like you've come to the right place and hopefully you will get the right diagnosis. There is plenty of support on here and lots of people who can relate to what you are saying. For me, finding a community of understanders was fantastic, just to realise I wasn't an isolated freak that no-one else understood gave me a sense of belonging that I don't feel in my everyday life. It also pushed me on to get the right help and now I am on a medication that has given me my life back. I still don't quite fit in but I don't mind any more. I am who I am and I'm not scared to be me. I hope you get as much from this forum as I have.
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Post by annie on Nov 6, 2015 12:11:05 GMT
Hi there
Welcome to the forum. You'll find really useful information on here, but most of all a very supportive environment to help sustain you through the journey of the NHS!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2015 12:22:41 GMT
I have no idea how long it takes ...lemmie think... I think It took about six months from Dr finally saying I need phyciatric evaluation to diagnoses. Good luck
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Post by andycore2009 on Nov 15, 2015 19:33:04 GMT
Your description of your personality traits/symptoms sound extremely similar to mine. I was diagnosed nearly 4 years ago and I'm fifty nine now. I paid for my consultaion/diagnosis privately, as there was no NHS provision where I live, so I don't have experience of NHS timescales; however I can say that the money I spent on the consultation (and private prescriptions, the psyc didn't mention that particular bonus of a positive diagnosis at the start, not cheap at all) has been paid back many times over in earning power improvements, let alone the vast improvement in my quality of life (no more tantrums, and I'm just calm all the time now, amongst many other benefits).
Going private it was all extremely rapid, I think I had the consultation within about 2 - 3 weeks of ringing up, turned up with some old school reports and some brief comments from my brother about my childhood behaviour, and, wham bam, 'Yep, you're mad as a hatter' and I walked out with a prescription in my hand.
It took about 18 months of trying different medications before I found that Elvance really worked for me, but there's been no looking back since then.
I can certainly concur about the pointlessness (unless there's a really good, positive, reason for doing so) of talking to other people about ADD/ADHD. I have friends who have known me since I was in my teens, and from then until now I've been married three times, been personally bankrupt (once effectively, once actually) twice, broken 17 bones, always driven, er, rapidly, got through 3 houses, been prone to flashes of temper and depression. Then I say 'ah, I've been diagnosed with ADHD', and they look at me quizzically and say 'but you're perfectly normal'.
Words just fail me.
I'd say, if you really think you can afford it, it would be worth seriously considering going private. I have now managed the transition from private to NHS, as my area has now found some funding (hooray), so it shouldn't bar you from changing over later (though check this yourself as well).
Good luck, and if your experience is anything like mine, getting a positive diagnosis will transform how you feel about yourself.
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Post by chillisauce on Nov 17, 2015 14:17:05 GMT
Hi Benji. I'm a very new member too and only recently diagnosed. I went private for my diagnosis as although there was a slim chance of a NHS route, it would take years. I am still very much coming to terms with my diagnosis, but can definitively say that although I feel sad about it, my main feeling is overwhelming relief. I think you need to do what you need to do to explore getting the help you may need, and doctors are your gateway here.
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benji0301
Member's not posted much yet
Posts: 4
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Post by benji0301 on Sept 25, 2016 18:41:59 GMT
Hello All,
Many thanks for all the kind words of support, quick update is i was advised that they feel i do have ADHD/ADD and have probably had it since childhood. Been prescribed 18mg Concerta at the moment which is having a positive effect but only for part of the day and good old Capt Chaos returns in the afternoon. Have a follow on meeting in 8 days where they plan to increase dosage and im going to push for some talking therapy to address the issues that have built up over the years.
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