ADHD & baggage.

[pleasehelpme16]

Hi all,

This is my first post, I was diagnosed with ADHD 12 years ago and prescribed medication for it, if I don't take it I'm a absolute vegetable, when I do medicate I sometimes find I'm totally 180' in the other extreme being an obsessive compulsive getting it all done and much more I most probably would be a lot better off not worrying wit,I have the text book love/hate relationship going on ,its caused problems more than once but if I stop it I'm lucky to scratch my arise,its something I've been struggling with for some time and now i find myself in search of some answers I guessby posting here its obviously coming to a crossroad!

Thanks for having me.

Is there anyoneelse out there that has been where I am and understands anything I'm have tried to share?? If there is I would be stoked to here from you ! I feel like a total freak mostly!  

[MatSioJahNai]

Hi Amazon .. this is my first comment! I was looking for the topic ADULT ADHD. Sorry to hear your complex mental health and physical health story. I can empathise with you on the mental health side though. And I may be able to answer your questions.

I received my diagnosis 24/12/18 aged 57 following my grandson getting his 1/11/18 just after he turned six. I have a long and tragic mental health story too and missed considering ADHD for him or me. Well that's enough about me.

Your post was a while ago and you referred to your son with ADHD and you thinking you have it too. And having been put off getting a diagnosis or medication, having been told it was a waste of time as would not be rebated with Adult Diagnosis. And you've also referred to your son on a trial maybe to do with medicine.

What I have learned - firstly regarding the medicine. My Psychiatrist prescribed me the newest medicine on the market. Can't mention it here but I understand it is the preferred one now and also the least harmful and most effective.

And yes Adult diagnosis do pay full price, however my Psychiatrist offered for me to enrolled in a trial (could this be what your son might have been referring to?) that is being run by the pharmaceutical company, where my Psychiatrist can send my prescription to an online chemist and I can order my medicine on line. And this is rebated, I pay approximately 34.2% less for it. So not as heavily as if had had had my diagnosis as a child. But this is does make a big difference and makes it much more affordable.

And to get a diagnosis, you would need to see your Dr and get a referral to a Psychiatrist, ideally one who specialises in Adult ADHD. They will diagnose you over one or if necessary two appointments. And they will likely ask you to bring them your school reports, or as many of those as you are able to source. Tip to take them to your first appointment will make it less likely to need a second.

So I was also diagnosed with depression, I call it reactive. After the tragic death of my son on 14/2/17. Still grieving deeply, very angry and guilt ridden. Well now I have this very late diagnosis, and am settling into my medicine, it is transforming my life. And with a new clarity of mind which is wonderful, I am upset that I didn't get this diagnosis a very long time ago.

So your post was a while ago. I am not sure if you will see this. I hope you do. And if you do I hope this information is helpful.

[alexisonfire94]

Hi,

I am going through a similar issue 😞 I totally feel your pain!! Unfortunately, I cannot take my meds at the moment as I am pregnant and I feel like a big ball of anxiety without them, unable to accomplish ANYTHING. For me, I felt that medication put me into overdrive the way you are describing, but other medication chilled me out and helped me to get stuff done without going too OCD about it. It could be the type of medication? I will go back on my meds as soon as my pregnancy is over, being this unfocused and disorganised is such a burden. I would pick the meds over this any day!

@Amazon, yes as an adult you need to go see a psych to get a prescription for ADHD medication. I was diagnosed at age 22 because my parents didn't believe in medicating me as a child. You can definitely get a diagnosis as an adult if you meet the criteria for having ADD. You will probably need to take some high school results with you or some kind of evidence that shows an inconsistency with your intelligence and your ability to perform. It only took 2 appts for me because the diagnosis was pretty obvious, but can take longer if you have other symptoms.