this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2023
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ADHD
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A casual community for people with ADHD
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I haven't been diagnosed. When I finally got an appointment to see the psychiatrist and said, "My cousin has ADHD; here are her symptoms; I have all the same symptoms; do I have ADHD?" she told me that those symptoms are also indicative of an anxiety disorder, which I definitely have, so she couldn't give a diagnosis until my anxiety is under control.
So that's where I am. I try to address my anxiety and the rest of it is in the wind.
I find this so frustrating. Because the ADHD can cause anxiety to be worse so by just addressing the anxiety you aren't addressing the whole picture. At least offer some testing/ off label non stimulant options.
Well, I wanted to avoid medication if possible anyway; I'm more interested in behavioral modification. But I wanted to know.
Dr Russell Barkley, a respected researcher in the field of ADHD, basically states that there is a chemical deficiency in your brain that makes it physically impossible for it to simply 'be' better, and that things like behavior modification have been shown to be helpful... almost exclusively when the subject is also on medication. And even when environmental changes can make a difference, it tends to fall on those close to the ADHDer to help set up those accommodations, at least with children. However, with adults there exist the same struggles, just to a /slightly/ lesser extent.
Fair enough but you should be able to undergo testing/evaluation without monetary or personal hurdles.
Too right. I'm happy to say that the therapist I ended up with is great at helping me with my anxiety and communication issues, and supports my desire to receive evaluation for ADHD; she's just not qualified to perform that evaluation.