ADHD memes
ADHD Memes
The lighter side of ADHD
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Memes are truly the DNA of the soul
I've always thought about getting tested for it but I have no idea where to start. Like, do I have to go to a specific place and see a specific specialist? How do I even find such a place? Also I'm kinda scared of most medications and don't really want anything too intense. If I do have ADHD it's not like I can't function right now so I'm unsure if I should even get tested. I just wish that I'd spend more time and effort on my hobbies. These days I go hard on one of them for a good couple days or weeks and then not touch them again for months or longer.
You see a psychologist (not a psychiatrist). And probably don't lead with "I think I may have ADHD". Instead have a list of things you find challenging in your daily life. Focus on these things, looking for ways to manage or mitigate those difficulties. Quite often this means developing habits to address things, such as always putting your keys/wallet/phone in a specific place.
Look at medications like using a crutch for a broken leg. It helps so you can work on strengthening where you're weak. In ADHD terms that means developing those habits and routines to help reign in the chaos. Everyone is different when it comes to meds, which ones work, and how long you use them. Some people only take meds during the week, and are ok over the weekend. Some take meds that require being taken consistently, every day. Some people have problematic side affects, some don't.
do I have to go to a specific place and see a specific specialist?
I am not sure where you are located, but I was able to get tested in NYC through my job. I would suggest for you to search online for ADHD testing and see what comes up, first good step.
Also I'm kinda scared of most medications and don't really want anything too intense.
I informed my doctor I do not like the idea of taking medication, but if it would help me function better, I just have to face the music and try it out. I'll follow up later and let you know how that goes.
If I do have ADHD it's not like I can't function right now so I'm unsure if I should even get tested. I just wish that I'd spend more time and effort on my hobbies.
I had the same feeling and was told I am high functioning with a mild case of ADHD. I'll see what next steps I want to take in regards to medication once I get access to the full report.
These days I go hard on one of them for a good couple days or weeks and then not touch them again for months or longer.
are you me??? lol
Just to add: education and diagnosis is getting better, but there are still a lot of psychologists and psychiatrists who have little to no education on adult ADHD. They can use the diagnostic criteria meant for children and often get it wrong. You may find a provider who has updated their education, but the best chance of an accurate diagnosis is to look for somebody that specializes in diagnosing adult ADHD specifically. If the diagnosis involves a detailed history and several appointments with multiple tests, that's a good sign. If it's just regular 30-60 minute meetings where you talk and they say you don't have it, get a second opinion from someone who specializes in this.
Start with your primary care doctor! I asked at my annual exam and had a list of things I had noticed I was struggling with and he saved me the hassle of a second appointment. It did help that most of my issues were inattentive based and VERY obvious from what I’ve been told.
He prescribed a non-stimulant which was also nice but if he hadn’t been my doc for a while he would’ve just given me a referral to who I needed to go to.
Follow up question... How do you get a primary care doctor? I've never had health insurance until very recently and my parents were very poor teachers for the real world. I've been winging it since I was 12 so my gaps in knowledge are surprising and specific. :)
Hey no worries, we all learn sometime. Easiest way in my experience is to login (or create an account) with your insurance company. The website should be on the back of your card or other paperwork. They’ll have a “search for care” option somewhere, mine calls if “find care.”
When we moved I used that to search for primary care doctors and then called one nearby and asked to get a new patient appointment. It did take a few calls as between the lists sometimes being out of date and there not being a huge surplus of doctors but it took maybe a half hour? I think it was the second or third call that got me set up.
If they don’t have that option you can use something like Google maps and search for “primary care doctor” but if you are in the US you will want to ask during the phone call to confirm they take your insurance company.
Thank you so much! I'll have to give it a shot. Unfortunately I have UnitedHealth through work so I'll just have to hope for the best. 😅
One of us! One of us!
I always wanted to write a message like this but.... I have ADHD so never really got around to do it and in my mind I thought I already did.
I feel like I am days or weeks from posting a similar message. I'm on my own journey that was ultimately started by similar experiences with this community
How did you get diagnosed
What type of doctor does that
What country do you live in
How much does it cost
I went to a neuropsycologist that specializes in diagnosing ADHD. I had a series of cognitive tests that were performed on me for about 4 hours, I was pretty tired at the end to be honest.
I live in USA.
Insurance covered the majority of the cost, I just had to pay a fraction of the normal cost. Sorry, but I don't know how much it would have cost me if I had to pay everything myself.
let me know if you have any other questions 🙂