[krazzy77grl]

I was just wondering how easy is it to missdiagnose ADD/ADHD in adults. I seriously think I have it and my doc is just not wanting to diagnose me with it. I don't know if maybe she thinks I can't handle the meds due to my anxiety or what? The more I read about it I belive that is the root of my problems. Just wondered how often this may happen...
Have a great day guys!

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by krazzy77grl

I was just wondering how easy is it to missdiagnose ADD/ADHD in adults. I seriously think I have it and my doc is just not wanting to diagnose me with it. I don't know if maybe she thinks I can't handle the meds due to my anxiety or what? The more I read about it I belive that is the root of my problems. Just wondered how often this may happen...
Have a great day guys!

You didn't give a lot of information, so my answers my not be what you were looking for, but here are my thoughts:

No doctor who keeps high professional standards will deny a diagnosis of ADHD or anything else, simply for the reason that he thinks a certain prescription medication that is used to treat that specific disorder is bad for you. To do so is illogical and unprofessional-- and hell, it's really medical malpractice. That said, I have no way of knowing if this is what happened in your case. You don't mention that you've even discussed this with your doctor, but I would like to think that your doctor would be transparent and tell you all of your diagnosis and all of the treatment options--as is your legal right to know. If she failed in those areas, than how would you be able to be an active partner in your treatment decisions, or to even know if you needed to obtain a second opinion? If you think that your doctor didn't tell you all of your diagnosis and their treatment options, then I would question the logic of staying with such a doctor, as it's not beneficial to you. Likewise, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that if you do not feel comfortable with discussing these issues with your current Pdoc, or that you do not feel like she is giving you the answers you need, then you really should be proactive and find one who takes the time to answer questions, explain things, and that you feel comfortable discussing such deep issues with. This is true for any type of doctor, not just psychiatry.

There are all different sorts of medications and non-medication treatments for ADHD, both child and adult. I have an anxiety disorder and ADHD, and for me it is okay to take a stimulant, as it doesn't have any effect on my anxiety problems (which predate the stimulants and used to be worse). On the contrary, my anxiety got better over time, but the primary reason for that is I see a therapist weekly where I address both issues. The ADHD symptoms are better too, but they wax and wane with the degree of anxiety I am experiencing. If you do have ADHD alongside your anxiety disorder, it's important to get a proper treatment regimen (not necessarily meds alone). Anxiety plays hell on the underlying ADHD (and ADHD will not go away once the anxiety is treated), and it's a REALLY bad combination to have together. The anxiety symptoms increase because of the ADHD, and the ADHD symptoms increase because of the anxiety. They can BOTH get worse if untreated, and wreak havoc with all realms of your life. It can even get to where it paralyzes you. This can lead to DEPRESSION. Many adults with ADHD who went most of their lives untreated (usually because they were undiagnosed) end up with some sort of a comorbid mental health disorder. Both anxiety and mood disorders are common in this group.

And yes--- ADHD in adults is often overlooked, especially in females and in the Primarily Inattentive Subtype of ADHD. It's also true that like most mental health diagnosis, ADHD is frequently stereotyped, and healthcare providers are no exception to this. Hyperactivity in adults will not manifest itself the same way as it does in children, which is another reason that ADHD in adults is a frequently missed. I cannot emphasize enough that a proper diagnosis is the key to proper treatment. This is particularly true with ADHD, as it is usually (and especially in adults) a lifelong disorder that will not just magically disappear. You will still have to deal with the untreated ADHD, even if you have success in treating the anxiety or other comorbid conditions. In fact, if you do indeed have ADHD, it is likely a part of the reason you were vulnerable to developing an anxiety disorder.

I'd seriously consider all of these points, but even so it's apparent that you do need to get a second opinion from a psychologist (preferable for ADHD diagnosis in adults). If you can't see a psychologist due to financial and/or insurance constraints, than I recommend another psychiatrist (not a general practitioner or other). You do not need to tell the current psychiatrist/doctor you are doing this as it wouldn't serve any purpose to do so. Make sure you do not give your records to any new Pdoc or psychologist (to eliminate potential diagnostic bias to ensure accuracy). If you must have a referral from your insurance company, than get one from your GP, not your current psychiatrist.