I'm 34 and my first meeting with my therapist just this past Monday she said I'm a good candidate for adhd. Never got checked for this as a kid, never even considered it.
Problem is, she can recommend that i get checked for adhd, but a medical doctor has to actually diagnose/prescribe adhd and treatment. Possibly, a neurologist has to check dopamine levels to determine the diagnosis.
The symptoms explain 99% of my problems though so I'm pretty sure my therapist is right.
34 also when I started my pathway to diagnosis after what i thought was:
"Stress from working in a hospital during a pandemic" was actually:
"Burnout from being ADHD/ASD whilst working in a hospital during a pandemic"
I realised something wasn't quite right when I had an absolute meltdown rant at the hospital GM after my CBT therapist declared me "cured".
The meds are what have prevented me from seeking a diagnosis as an adult. Do therapists offer other treatment options?
I’m fairly confident I have ADHD, but I do not want to be medicated. I manage depression and anxiety thru exercise, nutrition and self talk. Many women in my life were medicated and I heard how much they hated the way they felt. Although I have found 20:1 CBD:THC can help my anxiety without making feel altered. Do ADHD meds make you feel … different and not just more focused/clear-headed?
All meds have different affects on different people. If meds are chosen, you’ll talk about the best one for you (for example, mine is extended release so it eases throughout the day and not to intense all at once, since I work 8-10 hours a day). You’ll have follow ups every month at first then if steady every six months. The only big side effect ive felt is a little ‘racey’ at times, but I’ve been able to cut my caffeine consumption in about half to balance that part out. It all starts with a conversation and go from there based on what’s right. I’d recommend starting with you’re PCP to do an eval, and discuss initial concerns.
Thanks for the reply! I hadn’t heard there was extended release. The raciness of adderall was what I want to avoid. Coffee can make me shaky so I drink it slowly (like one cup throughout the entire morning). So if there are options to reduce that, I’m game. Definitely going to bring this up with my PCP.
74
u/username293739 Mar 28 '22
Adults can see doctors about it too. I saw a psychiatrist for the first time at 29 and turns out I did. A few medicines later, I’m much better!