Seeking Diagnosis

I may have ADD. I am just in the process of exploring the diagnosis. A few weeks ago, I was talking to my psychiatrist about my childhood difficulties with school, organization and procrastinatation and he asked me, the first time anyone has asked me, if ADD had ever been considered. I have been diagnosed bipolar, but never has ADD been suggested,

I found myself googling the diagnostic criteria and taking a quiz at psychcentral and really indentified with the symptoms and scoring highly probable for a diagnosis. Since my stepmother has ADD, I decided to talk to her about it. She 'got' everything I talked about, identified with the difficulties and the hurt of words such as 'lazy.'

I have been reading books about ADD, identifying with a lot, though not everything. I just talked to my pdoc recenty about assessment and though he doesn't specialize in Adult ADD he is going to talk to his collegues that do and hopefully we can set up and assessment soon. He doesn't want to perscribe stimulants without an assessment due to my bipolar disorder, which I understand.

I worry about the cost of assessment though. If I were currently a student I might be able to get the government to pay for it, but I am not willing to go back to school until I understand why I have such difficulties in it. Whether I am or am not ADD, knowing would be wonderful. And if I am, treatment would be even more wonderful.

We just had our 17-year-old son tested. I do think it's important to have done. Our insurance (Blue Cross) paid for it. I would suggest that you find out where you can get tested and ask about the cost. It may be less than you think for--or you may be able to work out a payment plan, if necessary. Sounds like you really do need to get the testing done, if only for your own satisfaction. Then, if you do, you can get the treatment and/or medication you need. Okay?

I have decided conclusively to have the testing done. I am not willing to sit, not knowing whether I have ADD or any learning disability. I do not know whether or not my insurance will cover ADD assessment. I suppose that I should check. I guess that gives me a good incentive to stay with my current job until the testing is complete if it does. It is possible that my mother would be willing to pay for some or all of the testing if necessary. I know that if I was diagnosed, my pdoc would make certain I got the treatment and/or medication I need.

I want testing done as well. I used to have Blue Cross, but it got downgraded. Of course. I talked to a dr. who was very nice and said I could possibly get it covered if I spoke to my ins. co., I get so confused dealing with ins. companies, talking about deductibles and all that. If your ins. covers it, I say go for it.

I went online to look at the coverage of my group plan. It covers $500 of psychology therapy and testing. I haven't used it yet this year, so it may have to go to the testing, which I guess isn't so bad a use for it.

Sounds like a plan...I'm sure you'll be glad to know one way or another. And either way, you still have lots of life and success ahead of you.

I am reading Dr. Hallowell's book SuperParenting for ADD. He describes the Kolbe assessment, which is not about ADD specifically but can be very helpful for people with ADD (he has it).
It helps you understand your native strengths, and how it impacts the way you interact with people with a different set of strengths.
http://www.kolbe.com/

Consider if getting a definitive diagnosis will alter your life much? You may want to assume you have some of the traits and then employ some of the tricks used by successful people with ADD. Definitely find out how to leverage your strengths that can come from having ADD.

Merlin, my ADHD testing was done at my first appointment with my PNP. This first longer appointment cost somewhat more than her regular appointment, but she doesn't need to tell anyone what tests she does during it. If she chooses to do assessments for depression or ADHD or personality or whatever, no one knows. She just bills it as her standard intake appointment. She asked me different interview questions and then administered the CAHRS, which is an assessment for adult ADHD. It is really good to get someone experienced at diagnosing ADHD and distinguishing between it and depression, anxiety, or other diagnoses. Sometimes these diagnoses can look a lot like each other, or sometimes a person has multiple issues and it can take someone with experience to be able to tease them apart.

This is very good advice. Merlin, there are some good books out there that discuss successful strategies for people with ADHD, and you do not need to have an official diagnosis in order to try applying them in your life.

Good luck.