ADHD diagnosed as adults... how long did it take to get a diagnosis?

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

I know I have ADHD. No doubt about it. I've had it all my life. I remember clearly in kindergarden, while everyone was supposed to be napping, I couldn't do it and so they'd let me play or run. Always on the go, among a bunch of other things throughout childhood and adolescence up to the present.

Today I have an appointment with someone - my first. It's through my employer's EAP - I don't know whether he'll be a LCSW, or something else. All I know is that I want relief. My mind feels like a radio with endless channels and chatter. I can't pay attention or read, but boy can I sit for hours playing a freaking video game...

How long did it take to get diagnosed? I'm scared this will be a lengthy process and/or the therapist will be hesitant.

[flying_wahini]

1. I was diagnosed about 5 or 6 years ago.

I told them my symptoms and that was it.

Picked up an Rx and that was it.

Took my years to soak up enough courage to do something about it.
My life would have been so much better, sooner.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. i have not been diagnosed, and my son was diagnosed as a child, but

we answered a series of questions so that the LCSW and Psych doc could check off the necessary boxes.

Have you visited our mental health forum? http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1151 I am not sure how many ADHD adults we have there, but it is a very supportive place.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

3. About 10 minutes.

I never had the opportunity when I was a kid. My teachers suggested it, but my parents didn't believe in it.

He just asked a bunch of questions and gave me a script.

[HopeHoops]

4. I'm ADD, but not ADHD (yes, there's a difference). Adderall made me run in my undies through...

... the neighborhood. One of the neighbors asked, "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" I replied, "NO! I'm fucked up and I'm in my underwear." She said, "So put your pants on." Curiously, they were in my hand. I put them on, with my wife right behind me (I can't outrun her on a good day, but did then). I still managed to make it to the park and was met by a fleet of police cars and an ambulance. I went to get a drink out of the fountain and they had their guns and tasers out (I didn't know this) and were concerned because there was something in my back pocket. It was a calculator from the Dollar Tree.

ADD and ADHD are NOT the same thing.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

5. lol

Without Adderall,I have trouble sitting down and staying focused on reading or writing for more than 10-15 minutes.

[HopeHoops]

7. Unknown to many, they are quite different conditions. Schools are lumping them together now.

My wife's really pissed off about that because she's trained to recognize the obvious signs of which a child has. Hell, I've got a kitten that's ADD - "Hey look, a duck!"

[Bucky]

6. The fact that you're so impatient for your results is perfect.

Unless, of course, it takes so long to get the results back that you lose focus and start fretting about something else.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

8. I saw a MSW

He asked me a few questions and to describe a bit about how I was as a child. Then, he asked me if I'd be ok with medication. He thinks I have ADHD with a little co-morbid anxiety. Since he can't prescribe medication, he set me up for a medical evaluation with a psychiatrist in a couple of weeks.

Part of me feels relieved that at least I have some insight about what's been going on for so long and I can begin to make sense of it all. Part of me wants this consult to be over with and get on the road to some sort of mental clarity.

He showed me during our session how much of what I do is an effort to 'mask' my deficiencies and that effort is what makes me so tired and overwhelmed.

I learned a lot in just 1 hour.

[derby378]

9. When I was 32 years old

Was diagnosed with hyperactivity when I was a kid, but back then, people thought you outgrew it, so one day I no longer received Ritalin as a child.

I should still be on it, I know, but I lost my health insurance when I lost my job, and I can't afford the medication now.