I wish I could figure out if I have it. I asked my doctor how to get diagnosed, he said I’d need to talk to a psychiatrist. I got a referral and tried to setup and appointment but they said I couldn’t be tested since I have no history of it. They instead want to put me on antidepressants but I’ve gone through enough of them to know that ain’t what my issue is.

Mental health care in this country is a fucking joke.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

If you really think you need to be medicated, try different doctors until you find someone who specializes in ADHD. The rest have no clue what they're doing and regularly try to treat the symptoms of ADHD (such as depression about how much your life is coming apart due to ADHD) instead of the cause.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I honestly don’t want to be medicated, but I’d like a diagnosis to help me find strategies. I’m middle aged so have figured out how to live with the brain I have but it would be nice to not have to struggle against my nature so much.

I’m probably just lazy or easily distracted, or disorganized, etc. and am looking for excuses.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

If you don't need medication, then a diagnosis doesn't has much more to offer honestly. The same stategies you can discover without a diagnosis as well. Look for ADHD meetups in your area perhaps, or ask around here or in !adhd@lemmy.world

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Good advice, thanks. I am not ruling out medication, but I would hesitate to put one of my kids on it if they were diagnosed and so I am hesitant for the same reasons. The reason I’d like a diagnosis though is that I am pathologically unable to act without data. I’d feel like a complete imposter at an ADHD event unless I was sure I was one of the ranks.

[–] db0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Perish such thoughts. None of us cares to ensure your "adhd purity". If you feel you find value from adhd coping mechanisms, then you are welcome to the knowledge

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 4 points 6 months ago

thanks, I do appreciate it. it's a me problem though that I'm working on.

part of it is I suffered a brain injury last year and I'm still unsure if my faculties are fully intact.

[–] FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today 3 points 6 months ago

Have you tried contacting a Behavioral Health Clinic? They mainly treat addicts or chronic mental illness, but they're qualified and a distinctly separate profession from psychotherapists.

[–] akakunai@lemmy.ca 6 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Guessing you're writing about the US? Unless you're a user on a clearly country-specific server, a large chunk of users do not know what this country is.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Yes, the US. You are right and I should have been more specific. My apologies.

[–] akakunai@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Nah, I'm being nitpicky. All good.

[–] 4grams@awful.systems 3 points 6 months ago

Well, I’m grateful for the callout anyway :).