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I have suspected for some years now that I am living with undiagnosed ADHD, and I have tried now to speak with two doctors about this and they have both tried to give me depression medicine- when I know this is not it because these symptoms were present in childhood and they remained even when I was on the depression medications. This is now starting to affect my school work and my work and I am now worried that I will never be normal and have a normal life because I cannot focus, organize, or complete tasks in a normal manner. How can I get a health provider to take me seriously? I even paid for private only to have them say they are 50/50 and I should take depression meds. I have been diagnosed with depression, OCD, anxiety, borderline personality and still no one will take me seriously and try to get ADHD assessed. I am not becoming even more depressed because no one in my life has taken the time to take care of this even tho i show signs and are screaming for some kind of help.
Psykolog svarer
I understand that this must be frustrating for you.
As you might already know, the core symptoms of ADHD is difficulties with hyperactivity, attention and impulse control. To get the diagnosis, one must have a certain level of intensity of the symptoms. One must have had the symptoms since before the age of 7, and the symptoms must lead to difficulties in handling everyday life, and across different situations. Sometimes, people can struggle with these symptoms, and still don't fullfill the criteria for ADHD.
Difficulties with attention, which is an ADHD-symptom, can also sometimes be a symptom of a different mental disorder. Hyperactivity can sometimes look quite similar to high levels of anxiety. Low impuls-control, can also be quite similar to difficulties with handling emotions. And these are just a few examples of how symptoms of ADHD can "look" similar to other mental disorders. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD, should always include a thorough examination by a psychatrist or a clinical psychologist who do the necessary tests to determine if this is the correct diagnosis.
I don't know you, and therefore cannot say if you do have an undiagnosed ADHD or not. I think, however, that a lot of students, (with or without ADHD) can benefit from reading about tips that are meant for students with ADHD.
I therefore include an article that hopefully can give you some ideas about how to handle your everyday life, when you struggle with focus and how to organize and complete tasks.
I wish you the best of luck.
Kind regards from the clinical psychologist