ADHD

[Ectemnius]

I posted it in the ADHD thread, as somebody with ADHD.

Yeah it does annoy me because it makes it harder for people to get support who just want support, not to blag benefits.

There are always those that take the piss when it comes to benefits, but the vast majority will be pretty genuine with their needs and abilities/disabilities.

Up here in Scotland you can apply for the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) if you have ADHD. I have not bothered applying, although I could qualify, but my daughter is having to wait for a stupid amount of time for support on NHS so we may look at an application for her to help with the cost of private counselling or therapy.

We both struggle mainly with the anxiety aspect of ADHD/Autism, one of the many comorbid conditions that are so often associated, but she also has very low esteem and low confidence at times. We can now see how it is chipping away at her mental health. So for that purpose, we feel lucky that this option is on the table.

 

[Grendel]

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[ProfessorbyGrace]

Still can’t get treated on the NHS for my ADHD, because of the private diagnosis. Really is a cop out on their part, as even if the clinic is reputable, there are some regions where share-care isn’t accessible.

Really is a shitshow, here in Wales.

 

[Nick]

There are always those that take the piss when it comes to benefits, but the vast majority will be pretty genuine with their needs and abilities/disabilities.

Up here in Scotland you can apply for the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) if you have ADHD. I have not bothered applying, although I could qualify, but my daughter is having to wait for a stupid amount of time for support on NHS so we may look at an application for her to help with the cost of private counselling or therapy.

We both struggle mainly with the anxiety aspect of ADHD/Autism, one of the many comorbid conditions that are so often associated, but she also has very low esteem and low confidence at times. We can now see how it is chipping away at her mental health. So for that purpose, we feel lucky that this option is on the table.

I'm not sure, a lot of it like you say can be sorted with medication / advice and changes etc.

That's part of my issue with it, there are people trying to blag it for benefits which then means theres a huge backlog and wait time for people like you and your daughter.

I went through right to choose, I think it was about 18 months wait for assessment and then about 9 months to then start meds.

The provider said to do these webinars and sessions but I had to mute them, about 80% of people in there just wanted to find out what they could get (finance and perks) rather than how they could get help, feel better and deal with things. It was as if they saw it as if they as they had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that was final. Just wanted to know how to get money etc.

Although I'm far from thinking like that documentary that ADHD is a myth (I have it so know the struggles). Diet, exercise, routine does help massively but at no point through the process anybody really said anything. It was like a conveyor belt, assess, meds, crack on.

ADHD does seem to get missed a lot more in girls and they will suffer in silence which is bad. Can the GP not do anything for the anxiety side of things? The therapy side and helping with that aspect shouldn't need you to claim a benefit to then pay privately to get help.

 

[Nick]

Still can’t get treated on the NHS for my ADHD, because of the private diagnosis. Really is a cop out on their part, as even if the clinic is reputable, there are some regions where share-care isn’t accessible.

Really is a shitshow, here in Wales.

Yeah that's why I waited. The private things can be a bit of a scam, looked into them and they will happily say "you have it" but if you want treatment or medication it's extortionate.

Some GPs just outright refuse any sort of shared care.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Still can’t get treated on the NHS for my ADHD, because of the private diagnosis. Really is a cop out on their part, as even if the clinic is reputable, there are some regions where share-care isn’t accessible.

Really is a shitshow, here in Wales.

As a fellow wales resident, and someone who has been told many times that I could get a diagnosis of adhd, how long have you been waiting for an assessment/ratification of your private diagnosis? How much longer will you have to wait?

 

[Hybridtheory]

My missus has it got diagnosed via the nhs and it was quite quick. She doesn’t get any benefits just gets medication on prescription now. It’s calmed her down as she was a liable to go off on a mad streak all the time like road rage, going crazy at kids, bowing a gasket at me over the smallest thing etc. now she’s pretty calm although you can’t drink with or have caffeine it so she’s a bit boring these days

 

[SBAndy]

Still can’t get treated on the NHS for my ADHD, because of the private diagnosis. Really is a cop out on their part, as even if the clinic is reputable, there are some regions where share-care isn’t accessible.

Really is a shitshow, here in Wales.

Not ADHD related specifically but the skepticism towards private opinions make me laugh. We’ve just had our 2nd kid and in the early stages of pregnancy my other half wanted to go for a private scan pre-Christmas so we could break the news to family on Christmas Day. Anyway, they said that given the size of the baby they were actually 2 weeks behind the dates that NHS had down and to tell them, which we did. NHS said they wouldn’t move the appointment that we had already so we turned up for it only to be told the baby was too small and they’d have to re-book us in for 2 weeks time. Bit silly really.

 

[Nick]

Not ADHD related specifically but the skepticism towards private opinions make me laugh. We’ve just had our 2nd kid and in the early stages of pregnancy my other half wanted to go for a private scan pre-Christmas so we could break the news to family on Christmas Day. Anyway, they said that given the size of the baby they were actually 2 weeks behind the dates that NHS had down and to tell them, which we did. NHS said they wouldn’t move the appointment that we had already so we turned up for it only to be told the baby was too small and they’d have to re-book us in for 2 weeks time. Bit silly really.

Oh I don't have an issue with private issues. I did the same with a 4d scan etc etc.

It's just with ADHD you kind of pay, get a diagnosis and you are stuck. The NHS won't touch it, they won't take on the prescription or care etc.

If you want meds, you're pretty much then stuck paying silly money to get them private for life.

So you know if there's an issue but if you realistically want to get help, you have to sit and wait for an NHS diagnosis and go through the process with them first.

 

[Hybridtheory]

Oh I don't have an issue with private issues. I did the same with a 4d scan etc etc.

It's just with ADHD you kind of pay, get a diagnosis and you are stuck. The NHS won't touch it, they won't take on the prescription or care etc.

If you want meds, you're pretty much then stuck paying silly money to get them private for life.

So you know if there's an issue but if you realistically want to get help, you have to sit and wait for an NHS diagnosis and go through the process with them first.

You can go private but have to follow the NICE guidelines

 

[SBAndy]

Oh I don't have an issue with private issues. I did the same with a 4d scan etc etc.

It's just with ADHD you kind of pay, get a diagnosis and you are stuck. The NHS won't touch it, they won't take on the prescription or care etc.

If you want meds, you're pretty much then stuck paying silly money to get them private for life.

So you know if there's an issue but if you realistically want to get help, you have to sit and wait for an NHS diagnosis and go through the process with them first.

Skepticism by NHS staff, not us mere mortals. Almost like “oh they don’t know what they’re talking about” then turns out the info was correct.

 

[Nick]

Skepticism by NHS staff, not us mere mortals. Almost like “oh they don’t know what they’re talking about” then turns out the info was correct.

If anything. You going and paying private is helping the NHS out.

As long as the people doing it are qualified, certified etc etc etc then why wouldn't the NHS just use that?

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

As a fellow wales resident, and someone who has been told many times that I could get a diagnosis of adhd, how long have you been waiting for an assessment/ratification of your private diagnosis? How much longer will you have to wait?

It’s absurd, mate. Depends on your location but here in Carmarthenshire, there’s one NHS ADHD clinic for the whole county AND Ceredigion.

I’ve been on the list for 3 years, only had a notification that I’m on the list in January. Minimum wait could be 5-7 years.

 

[Nick]

It’s absurd, mate. Depends on your location but here in Carmarthenshire, there’s one NHS ADHD clinic for the whole county AND Ceredigion.

I’ve been on the list for 3 years, only had a notification that I’m on the list in January. Minimum wait could be 5-7 years.

Doesn't right to choose cover there?

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

Yeah that's why I waited. The private things can be a bit of a scam, looked into them and they will happily say "you have it" but if you want treatment or medication it's extortionate.

Some GPs just outright refuse any sort of shared care.

I actually met the diagnostic criteria for ASD more, but I was naive and was impatient.

Treatment options were equal to the GDP of a small emerging nation ffs. It’s so unethical.

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

Doesn't right to choose cover there?

Right to Choose? What’s that mate, never heard of it to be honest.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Right to Choose? What’s that mate, never heard of it to be honest.

I think we don’t have it in Wales.

 

[Sick Boy]

I'm not sure, a lot of it like you say can be sorted with medication / advice and changes etc.

That's part of my issue with it, there are people trying to blag it for benefits which then means theres a huge backlog and wait time for people like you and your daughter.

I went through right to choose, I think it was about 18 months wait for assessment and then about 9 months to then start meds.

The provider said to do these webinars and sessions but I had to mute them, about 80% of people in there just wanted to find out what they could get (finance and perks) rather than how they could get help, feel better and deal with things. It was as if they saw it as if they as they had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that was final. Just wanted to know how to get money etc.

Although I'm far from thinking like that documentary that ADHD is a myth (I have it so know the struggles). Diet, exercise, routine does help massively but at no point through the process anybody really said anything. It was like a conveyor belt, assess, meds, crack on.

ADHD does seem to get missed a lot more in girls and they will suffer in silence which is bad. Can the GP not do anything for the anxiety side of things? The therapy side and helping with that aspect shouldn't need you to claim a benefit to then pay privately to get help.

Do you find you can get quite obsessive around the diet, exercise etc once you get going?

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Do you find you can get quite obsessive around the diet, exercise etc once you get going?

Ive found it makes you very obsessive for a period, but then fall off quite quickly when the hyperfocus shifts.

 

[Nick]

Do you find you can get quite obsessive around the diet, exercise etc once you get going?

Errrmmm I can generally stick to things yeah. Cut out caffeine straight away which I think helps. Only thing I miss is pre workout before the gym or playing football because generally it did make a difference.

Obviously can't really drink now because of meds but I am a bit OCD as well (sadly not because I'm tidy) but those symptoms die off as well with exercise.

Have lost count the amount of "phases" I've been through with hobbies, projects etc etc. Sadly can't shake off being a c**t.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Errrmmm I can generally stick to things yeah.

Obviously can't really drink now because of meds but I am a bit OCD as well (sadly not because I'm tidy) but those symptoms die off as well with exercise.

Have lost count the amount of "phases" I've been through with hobbies, projects etc etc. Sadly can't shake off being a c**t.

I feel this too!!

Which meds are this nick. I was on them for 6 weeks but didnt enjoy them.

 

[Nick]

I feel this too!!

Which meds are this nick. I was on them for 6 weeks but didnt enjoy them.

Concerta.

Started off low and gradually gone up.

By no means a miracle drug. I do get shit loads more done at work though and "achieve" things, get stuff finished etc.

My Sleep was better but again stopped caffeine so that probably helped as well.

It depends what people want from treatment etc. I just wanted to be able to empty the washing machine without getting distracted and ending up building a new fence or something but still do that.

Haven't tried drinking on them, I have always been able to go out and not drink. I can't go out and have 2 or 3 though as once one beer kicks in, dopamine and constantly chasing it. Easier to just not have any.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Concerta.

Started off low and gradually gone up.

By no means a miracle drug. I do get shit loads more done at work though and "achieve" things, get stuff finished etc.

My Sleep was better but again stopped caffeine so that probably helped as well.

It depends what people want from treatment etc. I just wanted to be able to empty the washing machine without getting distracted and ending up building a new fence or something but still do that.

Haven't tried drinking on them, I have always been able to go out and not drink. I can't go out and have 2 or 3 though as once one beer kicks in, dopamine and constantly chasing it. Easier to just not have any.

Yes i found that with drinking.
Mine helped with hyperfocus but depends what you are able to focus on.

Im a very heavy caffeine drinker but like you, struggle to function without it.

 

[Nick]

Yes i found that with drinking.
Mine helped with hyperfocus but depends what you are able to focus on.

Im a very heavy caffeine drinker but like you, struggle to function without it.

I was alright after a week or so. Bought decaf and still have the habit of having coffee sometimes.

I tried pre workout once while on meds, I was awake at about 5am so haven't touched it since.

Tried all the stuff you see online, mushroom drinks, supplements etc but not the same as meds. I went without meds for a few days and I could tell I hadn't had them. My work output could tell as well.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

I was alright after a week or so. Bought decaf and still have the habit of having coffee sometimes.

I tried pre workout once while on meds, I was awake at about 5am so haven't touched it since.

Tried all the stuff you see online, mushroom drinks, supplements etc but not the same as meds. I went without meds for a few days and I could tell I hadn't had them. My work output could tell as well.

Hahaha preworkout on them sounds nuts.

Its a really fine balance chemically in our brain to get production. For me a small redbull is good, normal sized monster too much.

Maybe I should give the meds a go again.

Thats probably why i like being on here so much, so much quick dopamine and a fairly quick pace. If it was like Lutons forum I wouldnt be on it.

 

[Nick]

Hahaha preworkout on them sounds nuts.

Its a really fine balance chemically in our brain to get production. For me a small redbull is good, normal sized monster too much.

Maybe I should give the meds a go again.

Thats probably why i like being on here so much, so much quick dopamine and a fairly quick pace. If it was like Lutons forum I wouldnt be on it.

Yeah dopamine is a massive thing. Phones, instant news, wanting information. I do think the internet, social media etc plays a part in it all.

There are different types, can't remember the names but they said if I didn't get on with these there are others.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Yeah dopamine is a massive thing. Phones, instant news, wanting information. I do think the internet, social media etc plays a part in it all.

There are different types, can't remember the names but they said if I didn't get on with these there are others.

I tried Elvanse. Wasnt on it long though.