ADHD Assessment

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Interesting that my testing was the opposite! The ASD testing went on and on - questionnaires online and on paper. Interviews, oral questioning and role play. The ADHD diagnosis was sprung on me by a psychiatrist I was seeing. She had me read a book about it, we talked, she asked some questions and that was pretty much it. Still not sure why I was referred to her! I’ll have to ask her. I’m a bit afraid to find out why though.

How did it go? Were you able to get diagnosed?

Day 3 of 4:
ADHD Testing

I met with the neuroPSYCHIATRIST today and got my diagnosis of AHDH with a combined presentation of Inattentive and Hyper / Impulsive. I'm more on the Inattentive side but I qualify as both. Unfortunately, I don't get the formal report until Monday when I see the NeuroPSYCHOLOGIST, because only a psychologist can present the results of psychometric tests. It's some kind of law apparently? I will update again when I see the report. I hope all this running about has been worth it!

I spent my appointment having more physical tests such as blood pressure, reflexes, and even an EKG for my heart rhythm to use as a baseline. He changed my BP meds and prescribed a micro dose ADHD stimulant which needed to be compounded for me, because the dose doesn't normally exist for tablets. He transcribed a letter to my GP and sent it to her during my appointment. I have to see her next Friday for follow up on my blood pressure, to see if the meds are putting me at risk of another stroke. Then my GP will be in charge of increasing the dosage if / when she feels it's safe. I will also have to go for another EKG and Echocardiogram after two weeks to compare with today's EKG. Then I have to see my GP once weekly for a month or two to follow up on my blood pressure.

I go back to the Neuropsychiatrist in three months.

In the meantime I still go on Monday for counselling with the Neuropsychologist, and I'll get my report then.

I can't believe how bloody complicated it's been, but I have to respect his concern for my cardio health.

I'm down for the count now this weekend! I'm sooo tired!

Congratulations, Isabella, exhausting as it was, it seems to have been worth it!

Rest, relax and have some fun now, it's well deserved

Merci!

I'm glad that my spaced-outedness is official now!

I forgot to mention, he instructed my GP to taper me down or completely off of my SSRI Trintellix at her discretion. We'll see how that goes. I only started it in November, and I quite like it. I hope I just go to the lowest dose of 5mg rather than quitting it altogether.

Phew! I'm so happy for you! See, it was all worth it . It's such a good thing they finally diagnosed you. Now they can adjust your medicine and therapy treatments based on these results. Best of luck! I know changing medicines and even just changing doses can be difficult, but it's better to discover what will work best with your individual needs. Hurray!!

Day 4

I'm finally finished and I got my report. I had a long session with the psychologist, which focused on sensory accommodations I should make for both my autism and focus / ADHD. He thought I should make a sensory room? LOL -- Like ... no kidding, but how? Are there people who specialise in designing them? We looked at ideas but it's not like I can put that into place by magical thinking. Also things like noise-cancelling headphones, galaxy jars, water fountain walls (ironic because my house is flooded), Irlen lenses, etc. Of course there was a lot more practical advice but I thought it was funny to suggest something so grand.

My test scores are hilarious. They're so bad. I'll post them some time when I have the executive function and motivation to do so!

So far though, the stim meds do seem to help.

A sensory room with a snorkel? You had a flood?

Yes, last night. 4-5" of sewage (hazardous) downstairs, across two rooms.

My house is being torn apart and rebuilt by insurance now.



This is the type of sensory room the neuropsychologist recommended I build. LOL.
I wonder if insurance would build it with my flood money?

https://www.snoezelen.info/history/

Just sent you a pm before seeing this post! Congrats on getting it done and over with! What the psychologist suggested may be helpful in theory but its a bit unrealistic. I wonder what my score would be in that assesment..

I'm sorry things are so hectic also,you must be so exhausted! I hope things go back to normal soon!

Glad it’s over now, Is. That sounded exhausting! Very sorry to hear about the situation/flooding in your home too. Hugs, Congrats in getting through it, and commiserations at the same time. It will be wonderful when all the work is completed and you have a new home downstairs!

Worth bearing in mind, there are no wrong answers or reactions to these test questions. If verbal maths questions make you anxious, that is the answer you are giving them. The actual numbers are irrelevant, really, it's how you respond (or don't respond) that is going to be noted down. Plus you want a true reflection of how things are. If you normally freeze up in these situations, they really need to see that. If you somehow ace the test, no-one is going to be any the wiser. It is ok to show anxiety and also ok to refuse certain parts of tests. Those behaviours are, in themselves, revealing.

<sigh>
I have ADD and was hoping to just go to the psychiatrist and get some pills.
Maybe that can be done with ADD.
I am not really interested in getting involved with 20 hours of anything,
Not even sex, these days.

As usual I seem to be the anomaly. I've heard from lots of other people who didn't have to jump through hoops like I did to get ADHD meds, especially if they had an ASD diagnosis. My assessment was a big deal because ADHD meds can disrupt your heart rhythm. I have a heart defect and I had a stroke five years ago which has lead to high blood pressure. None of the doctors wanted to be responsible for giving me a med that could cause a heart attack, so the testing was really overboard. I think if you're in (relatively) good health it's not such a big deal.

Incidentally I just wore a heart monitor for two weeks to check for arrhythmia and I was fine, so the meds don't seem to be bothering me. I also got some good services from my diagnosis including an incredible OT lady I can meet by Zoom. I swear she should work full-time for Wrong Planet because her knowledge and expertise were bang-on what we all seem to need.