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Post by on_edge on Jan 12, 2004 15:58:37 GMT -5
I saw a psychologist today for ADD diagnosis. He stated he didn't feel I had Adult ADD because of the following:
1. No legal problems (arrests and bankruptcy)
2. Was not a discipline problem in school as a child.
3. No marital problems
4. Able to keep a job for over a year
5. Was able to achieve higher learning
6. I am not having problems on more than one front.
This above criteria bothers me. First of all, I was asked none of the questions I have seen in the online tests. I told him my problem was more the inattentive which is more common in females, not the hyper/impulsive. I was not a discipline problem because I was one of those kids who shrank into the woodwork and I passed school because I could catch on quick even though completing tasks was a huge struggle and constantly in trouble for being in my own little world. No bankruptcy because hubby takes care of finances since I screw it up so bad when I do. No marital issues because hubby turns the other cheek. I am a homemaker and only have one front.
I am totally confused. DD's doctor had a hard time believing that she was adhd-primarily hyper/impulsive because she was a girl and this guy believes I am not because I am not primarily hyper/impulsive.
He excused the inattentive as everybody does that even though I explained that it was a daily struggle with me. His diagnosis: depression. But, he is going to case it with the other psychologists because he can't explain why I tested high for depression but unable to sleep at night despite no anxiety issues. Duh, could it be the thousand thoughts running through my head at the same time. I told him that it is like having 15 different conversations at one time and jumping from place to place.
I know depression can be similar to adhd symptoms especially the innatentive part, but I do have another appointment with a psychiatrist this afternoon.
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Post by skylarkragtop on Jan 12, 2004 18:38:04 GMT -5
Simple response to your very justified post: Switch Doctors.
The one you're seeing has no clue about ADD.
Doctors like that really tick me off. Dismissing what a patient says because it doesnt fit the two or three disorders he bothered to learn about. Depression. Yeah, right. If you are depressed or unhappy, it's because you dont know why you keep doing the things you do, and even you cant stand it anymore. Believe me, I know how that is. Treat ADD and you treat the depression as a byproduct. I used to be depressed all the time, then I learned that there was a reason for all my frustrations, and as soon as I started treating myself for ADD, I wasnt depressed anymore.
Have you read Driven to Distraction by Dr. Hallowell? Read that and then go see another doctor with a case history you build on yourself. If the new doctor doesnt get it, move on again.
I hope that the doctor you saw does talk to some other doctors and that they have a clue, and if he was paying attention to your complaints and taking proper notes, they'll listen to your case and then slap him upside the head and ask him what the heck he was thinking. But thats a longshot.
Doctors like that inspire me to continue my schooling when I'm done with Nursing. So far I already want to continue on to Pediatrics just so I can show the inept pediatricians we've seen how it's done. Now I'm adding Psychology or Psychiatry to the list. I'll be 50-something when I graduate, but that doesnt matter.
SR
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Post by 1mom on Jan 12, 2004 19:18:14 GMT -5
totally agree with SkyLRT. i'm really big into listening to yourself (your heart, instinct, intellegence), and then proceeding on the best course for you. there are good teachers, bad teachers. good preachers, bad preachers. good parents, bad parents. then there's good doctors, and rotten ones.  you're worth the second opinion (or 3rd, 4th!), so keep searching until you find what you need. make sure you're seeing a professional that SPECIALIZES in adhd and do let us know what they say! prayers, 1mom |
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Post by on_edge on Jan 12, 2004 20:19:10 GMT -5
Psychiatrist didn't immediately dismiss add but did start me on welbutrin to see if there is improvement. She also said that is standard practice to treat adult add with anti-depressants. She said that it is difficult to determine ADD in one visit and medication can be changed as therapy continues and ADD is a factor. We will see.
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Post by skylarkragtop on Jan 12, 2004 22:47:56 GMT -5
I tried Wellbutrin, and didnt like the way it played with my mind. At all. I do not agree with treating ADD with anti-depressants because when I've taken them, they made me simply not care about my ADD behavior. Or anything else for that matter.
Go back and ask for a scrip for Strattera. It's not a controlled substance, it's not addictive, and it's been helping me and a few other board participants.
If you take it and the noise in your head goes away, and the wheels stop spinning so you can get to sleep at night, then you know you're on to something.
Good luck. And one more thing: Doctors are mere mortals who went to school and got some paperwork to hang on the wall. Some know more than others. Their word is not gospel.
Can you tell I'm not a fan of doctors? I've been fed too many lines by too many doctors who let the title go to their heads.
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Post by LitlBaa on Jan 13, 2004 0:21:24 GMT -5
on_edge, I agree, find another doctor. Hubby went in for dx and was told that he should quit school and get a real job because he's just depressed. Hubby was so ticked he came straight home and called the insurance company, changed doctors, and really likes this one. He's tried Strattera, it didn't work for him, so he's trying straight Ritalin now. This doctor is more than willing to work with hubby, fortunately for us, he specializes in adult ADD.
A book I found very helpful in understanding DD is called "Understanding Girls with ADD" by Kathleen Nadeau. Good luck on finding the right doctor. It really does make all the difference in the world.
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Post by sierra on Jan 13, 2004 0:31:22 GMT -5
I agree with the folks who say dump this doc like he's 3 day old fish.
You know who told me I probably have ADHD? My sprouts' psychologist. There's a strong hereditary component to ADHD. If your daughter has it that raises the chances that you have it. The ADHD fairy didn't come and whack her on the noggin with the ADHD wand! It's more than likely in the family tree. Talk with her doctor and ask who that doc recommends for adult ADHD. I bet he or she has seen more than one undiagnosed ADDult while treating ADHD children.
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Post by on_edge on Jan 13, 2004 13:10:55 GMT -5
The more I read on Adult ADD diagnosis the more I am pissed at this psychologist.
On the subject of relationship problems, he was more interested in how my DH gets along with stepsons and never even asked how I get along with my own parents and only asked how long I was married to the ex and why we divorced. I told him domestic abuse. He just went on to the next question. Excuse me, shouldn't that have been a red flag to ask more.
AND why didn't he ask me why I was a discipline problem at home and not at school. I would have explained that my parents would have knocked the daylights out of me and that fear made me do the opposite. No participation at all. I wouldn't even go play at recess because I was afraid I would do something and get it at home. That is how I coped with the impulsiveness. My teen years were different. I did bring up that to him about becoming a discipline problem at school, but he just said the disciplining had to be in grade school. UGH!
I am not finished with obtaining a diagnosis. I am going to take the welbutrin. I used it in the past to quit smoking and was less bothered with things. But, it didn't change the adhd symptoms.
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Post by AnneM on Jan 20, 2004 13:18:41 GMT -5
I agree with everyone ... this doctor needs replacing!! ... I looked at this doctors so-called 'diagnostic criteria" and also couldn't match ANY of it to my husband who is sooooo "add (not much 'h' - mostly inattentive) just like my son ... This sounds more like the doctor is thinking of something along the lines of possible "conduct disorder" rather than adhd .... (ie arrests !!  ... bankcruptcy???) ... |
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Post by 1mom on Jan 20, 2004 18:50:33 GMT -5
way to go, on-edge! keep looking for the right doc and don't quit until you're satisfied. please keep us updated as to how you're doing, how the search is going, and how the wellbutrin does.
prayers,
1mom
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