I wish I could figure out if I have it. I asked my doctor how to get diagnosed, he said I’d need to talk to a psychiatrist. I got a referral and tried to setup and appointment but they said I couldn’t be tested since I have no history of it. They instead want to put me on antidepressants but I’ve gone through enough of them to know that ain’t what my issue is.

Mental health care in this country is a fucking joke.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 28 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

If you really think you need to be medicated, try different doctors until you find someone who specializes in ADHD. The rest have no clue what they're doing and regularly try to treat the symptoms of ADHD (such as depression about how much your life is coming apart due to ADHD) instead of the cause.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 8 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I honestly don’t want to be medicated, but I’d like a diagnosis to help me find strategies. I’m middle aged so have figured out how to live with the brain I have but it would be nice to not have to struggle against my nature so much.

I’m probably just lazy or easily distracted, or disorganized, etc. and am looking for excuses.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 6 months ago (1 children)

If you don't need medication, then a diagnosis doesn't has much more to offer honestly. The same stategies you can discover without a diagnosis as well. Look for ADHD meetups in your area perhaps, or ask around here or in !adhd@lemmy.world

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 4 points 6 months ago (3 children)

Good advice, thanks. I am not ruling out medication, but I would hesitate to put one of my kids on it if they were diagnosed and so I am hesitant for the same reasons. The reason I’d like a diagnosis though is that I am pathologically unable to act without data. I’d feel like a complete imposter at an ADHD event unless I was sure I was one of the ranks.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Perish such thoughts. None of us cares to ensure your "adhd purity". If you feel you find value from adhd coping mechanisms, then you are welcome to the knowledge

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 5 points 6 months ago

thanks, I do appreciate it. it's a me problem though that I'm working on.

part of it is I suffered a brain injury last year and I'm still unsure if my faculties are fully intact.

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 5 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Believe it or not most people with adhd are pretty accepting of other people. I've never seen anybody with adhd try to gatekeep.

I hope you find what you're looking for :)

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 2 points 6 months ago

I do believe it, more self critical than anything but I'm working on it :)

[–] Brickhead92@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

The more the merrier!

[–] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 months ago

Funny, this is pretty common in people with ADHD or neurodivergents in general.

[–] FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today 4 points 6 months ago

Have you tried contacting a Behavioral Health Clinic? They mainly treat addicts or chronic mental illness, but they're qualified and a distinctly separate profession from psychotherapists.

[–] akakunai@lemmy.ca 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Guessing you're writing about the US? Unless you're a user on a clearly country-specific server, a large chunk of users do not know what this country is.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Yes, the US. You are right and I should have been more specific. My apologies.

[–] akakunai@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Nah, I'm being nitpicky. All good.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago

Well, I’m grateful for the callout anyway :).

[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

That’s what they’ve done with my daughter. It’s clearly adhd, but they want to start with antidepressants (Prozac).

I just wish they’d treat the poor kid so she can start feeling like a normal person. She struggles so much. It doesn’t matter what she does, she’s doing something else immediately. She can’t focus on anything.

Just like the meme says though, she a good musician and artist. Anything else though and she’s just stuck. I hate it. I should have dealt with it sooner.

[–] darthwonka@mastodon.world 2 points 6 months ago

@theangryseal
This seems to be the way a lot of doctors are choosing to start..

I really think starting with treating the adhd and, if desired, a coach or therapist to work on coping techniques.

My sons and I went through this journey and the antidepressants were all horrible…. Mood-altering horrible. Helped nothing in our case.. but also found many on the Interwebs that have had similar experiences.

[–] SeveralAnts@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Hey dude. That whole experience with the psychiatrist sounds wrong. Of course you have history. And that in no way qualifies or disqualifies you from getting a diagnosis. In saying that, I agree with db0 in that a diagnosis won't necessarily help. You can absolutely look up strategies and routines, tips ect on how to improve your experiences and try applying the ones you like and see how it goes. Psychiatrists might diagnose you and then want to put you on medication because that is their job and how they get paid. The cognitive behavior change work is usually done with a psychologist, in groups and in your own time. There's some great worksheets available online if you look around.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago

well, I've got other stuff going on, depression and a brain injury last year that I'm still working through. on top of that, as a kid in the 80's I was tested for ADD but at the time they were more looking at the inattentive behaviours. however, I'm pretty sure I'm the other side of that coin and ADHD didn't become a thing (at least mainstream) 'til several years later.

anyway thanks, I really appreciate the advice.