How do I convince my psych that it's ADHD?

For a little bit of backstory, I'm almost 29 and I've yet to achieve anything in life because all my school and adult studies have fallen through. I've been depressed, irritable and generally angry for as long as I can remember. I had massive "tantrums" growing up and now I'm an adult, they manifest as severe depression and anxiety. I dropped out of high school when I was 12 because I couldn't cope with the workload and I got branded as a "troubled child" and "lazy". Of course that triggered years upon years of self-doubt and depression. No one wanted to help me, I fell through the cracks.

But this year I have the chance to do a diploma. I need to succeed at this, I need to be able to achieve something. I'd love to start a career but, more importantly, I want to do this for me, to prove I can do something. But I'm worried I'm going to struggle as badly as I have in the past and, ultimately, I'll flunk the diploma.

I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 15, but it was never written in my medical files and I was never offered treatment. At 16 I was diagnosed as Type 2 Bipolar and loaded up on antidepressants and mood stabilisers. At 23/24 I was a full blown alcoholic because I could no longer cope and I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. I'm currently on two antidepressants and benzos (if needed), and I'm also doing therapy.

I'm now seeing a new psychiatrist who doesn't believe in personality disorders, but he also doesn't have an answer for me. I'd love to try stimulants since antidepressants and therapy aren't working at all for me, because I need to succeed at this course. Of course, if they don't work, I simply don't take them. But I want to try.

I'm really worried that I'll be seen as being 'drug seeking' if I ask for stimulants, but I'm at my wits end. I just want to be well, I want to give myself every chance of being well. Even if that means taking more meds.

I have a whole 30 minutes at the end of the month with my psychiatrist and my course starts early Feburary. How do I make my case in such a small time frame? Any ideas on how I should approach this, please?

Maybe complete the ADHD scale (readily available online) and show it to the doctor, giving your history and how you were diagnosed with ADD at 15.

As long as your psychiatrist is an understanding and reasonable human being who is willing to listen to what you have to say, and work with you towards a common goal that results in your improved quality of living, there's really nothing to worry about.

The below is a basic idea of what I said to my psychiatrist. Due to my socially awkward method of communicating and expressing my thoughts on the subject it took me 3 months before he took a chance on what I know to be true, however since then things have been going well, and they're only projected to get better as time goes on.


To my Psych:
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"Hey Doc, so I don't want to just drop this on you all at once, but there's something I must talk to you about with regards to the level and type of care I have been receiving and I would appreciate it if you would listen to what I have to say. I've done my research. I've been keeping notes. I've done online questionnaires and tests, and what I've found indicates strong and clear correlations between the symptoms I am experiencing and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Over the course of my life, from childhood, and well into adulthood I have experienced a persistent pattern of inattention and hyperactivity that impacts my ability to succeed both in my social life, as well as my professional/academic life; including, but not limited to.

1) Failing to give close attention to detail and making careless mistakes.
2) Failing to sustain attention in tasks or activities.
3) Consistently Absent Minded, and unable to focus.
4) Consistently failing to follow through on instructions, and failing to complete projects either short-term or long-term.
5) Failing to meet deadlines, poor Time Management, and disorganized.
6) Avoiding, or Reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort.
7) Often forgetful and easily distracted. Not paying attention.
8) Often Fidgeting with things.
9) Unable to be, or uncomfortable being still for extended periods of time.
10) Often interrupting people and unable or uncomfortable waiting for my turn to do things.
11) A persistent overwhelming feeling of being underwhelmed when starting tasks.
12) Impossible to sustain motivation over time towards the completion of tasks.
13) Always thinking from one moment to the next; Difficulty in planning ahead, staying on schedule, adhering to time-constraints.

I experience these on a daily bases, every single day, and have since childhood. These symptoms interfere with and reduce my quality of living overall. I often feel like I can't accomplish anything, and it's demoralized me to the point where I also experience compounded "situational depression". The current treatment I am subject to is proving ineffective and has for (X Amount of Time); failing to provide me the capability/tools necessary for success in both social and academic, as well as professional settings.

I would appreciate it if you would allow me the opportunity to explore the options of medication meant for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If this is acceptable, then I would suggest starting with a limited quantity over a period of time long enough (4 weeks) to ascertain information pertaining to results which when combined with my findings will provide verifiable proof of legitimacy, as well as tangible improvements to my overall quality of living.

Furthermore, I have read reviews of X, Y, Z Medication, and would like to request one I believe to have the best probability for success in treating these symptoms, not only based off countless numbers of online-user feedback provided by many reputable forums and associated resources, but also through the collection of information found within Wiki articles, backed by sources.

I am aware of the abuse potential for stimulant medications. If there is concern that I will become addicted, dependent, or abusive of the medication, then supply me with a restricted/limited amount, every 1 or 2 weeks. If you require I be kept under observation/supervision in a controlled environment such as a psychiatric ward in a hospital in order to ensure nothing bad happens, then I accept and understand."

Source example: ISBN 9781441913968
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Handbook : a Physician's Guide to ADHD