Post by TD on Apr 8, 2020 16:07:48 GMT
Hi guys, so I've struggled with symptoms of ADHD my whole life but only recently got around to actually asking my GP about it. I'm in my early 20's and at that first appointment the GP was very dismissive and kept asking why I wanted a diagnosis as it's difficult to diagnose in adults and there was little point in doing it. Obviously this knocked my confidence a bit but he made the referral anyway as I pushed for it and I've now received some forms to fill out in the post.
I'm struggling with them a bit as I feel the need to explain every answer and not just check a box because it doesn't give the full picture (I'm restless and motor-driven but yes sometimes I do nothing because I'm depressed, but there isn't an option to explain that....) So I'm generally feeling very anxious about this and worried that I won't be taken seriously.
My main question is around substance misuse. The form asks about any history of substance misuse and I have quite a lot. But I'm worried that if I disclose this they could turn around and blame some of my symptoms on this? I have had symptoms since childhood but I can't answer the questions about age of first smile and words etc because I'm estranged from my family. I'm worried that, because the doctors can't speak to my family about my childhood symptoms, they may not take them seriously and blame my symptoms on the drug abuse. I know how hard it is to get diagnosed with adult ADHD and my GP certainly didn't fill me with confidence, so I'm tempted to be as honest as possible but I'm also nervous about this and to be honest I don't really want to have a history of substance abuse on my medical records either. What if I do get diagnosed but they won't give me a stimulant based medication because I've abused stimulants in the past?
Sorry for the mega long message, my brain is just going into over drive with this stuff and I really don't know what to do. What should be a simple form is driving me insane and I'm just really worried I'll say the wrong thing. Does anyone have any experience of disclosing substance misuse during the assessment period? Did it affect the process at all to the best of your knowledge?
I'm struggling with them a bit as I feel the need to explain every answer and not just check a box because it doesn't give the full picture (I'm restless and motor-driven but yes sometimes I do nothing because I'm depressed, but there isn't an option to explain that....) So I'm generally feeling very anxious about this and worried that I won't be taken seriously.
My main question is around substance misuse. The form asks about any history of substance misuse and I have quite a lot. But I'm worried that if I disclose this they could turn around and blame some of my symptoms on this? I have had symptoms since childhood but I can't answer the questions about age of first smile and words etc because I'm estranged from my family. I'm worried that, because the doctors can't speak to my family about my childhood symptoms, they may not take them seriously and blame my symptoms on the drug abuse. I know how hard it is to get diagnosed with adult ADHD and my GP certainly didn't fill me with confidence, so I'm tempted to be as honest as possible but I'm also nervous about this and to be honest I don't really want to have a history of substance abuse on my medical records either. What if I do get diagnosed but they won't give me a stimulant based medication because I've abused stimulants in the past?
Sorry for the mega long message, my brain is just going into over drive with this stuff and I really don't know what to do. What should be a simple form is driving me insane and I'm just really worried I'll say the wrong thing. Does anyone have any experience of disclosing substance misuse during the assessment period? Did it affect the process at all to the best of your knowledge?