ADHD diagnosis referral advice

Hello ADHDers! In response to the huge number of questions I've had on advice with the ADHD referral process and help when doctors just don't believe you, or even that ADHD is real, I've made this video which covers some useful advice on what to do. Plus information on the right to choose!
In Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the Right To Choose isn't an option, instead, there is something called Elective Treatment - however, it is very limiting:
bnssg.icb.nhs.uk/directory/el...
Useful resources:
ASRS v1.1 and ASRS-5 self-reporting scale tests can be taken here:
www.welcometothewormhole.com/...
US ADHD practices can be found here:
chadd.org/for-adults/diagnosi...
www.psychologytoday.com/us
UK info:
Right to choose: psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-ch...
Listing of private providers: aadduk.org/
Thanks as always folks!

[@davidgarciacooke337]

I am 48 years old. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression 20 years ago. 20 years on anxiety pills. Tried 4 different antidepressants and not only have they never worked but also they make me feel awful. I have seen different psychiatrists and psycologysts over the past 20 years. I have been seeing a different psycologist for the past 4 months. She said 'do you know what? I think you have ADHD, not depression'. She asked me to seek advice from a neuropsycologist and I am starting next week with one for an assesment and possible diagnose. For several weeks I have been looking into ADHD in both Spanish and English. I am certain this is it. I hope this can be of some help to somebody. God bless.

[@BXLrules]

Same here. I'm 40, 15 years of therapy and meds for anxiety and depression, after really reading up into adhd I'm sure I've got adhd. Good luck to you, you're not alone.

[@davidgarciacooke337]

@@BXLrules It turned out to be autism, not ADHD. I am so glad I got my diagnosis. I now understand all my life. Also I have been given a medication for generalised anxiety disorder that works for me.

[@MadMadMandy]

I wrote a massive comment that took me an hour to write, had a brainspiral and will instead write: Thank you for this video. You're helping me a shitton in a confusing time where I have to get my diagnosis but also being stuck in a loop of constantly having to defend my own experiences as a human being to neurotypicals, because of 'twice exceptional'. People (family, government etc.) want me to 'pull myself up by the bootstrap', I try in a variety of ways to tell them that it is not possible for a person to lift themselves by pulling up in their shoes - they are STANDING in them and holding them down, and rather than understanding the stupidity of their words, they get bedazzled by common physics... And my response is not profound nor smart, we all damn well know we can't fly. Again, thanks!

[@zpvnrt]

Symptoms before 12: All my parents are dead (biological as well as step-parents) I have no siblings Moved every 2 or so years - military dependent - so I have no "childhood friends" Now what?

[@LegionOfWeirdos]

We actually use the term "general practitioner" quite a bit in the States, but usually just for non-mental-health stuff. ADHD falls usually under psychiatry, many general practitioners want little or nothing to do with determining if someone has ADHD. Also, the diagnosis, as I understand it, in Europe is via the ICD, but in the States we have the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) which a psychiatrist will use to make the diagnosis and then it's logged and reported to insurance companies via the ICD.

[@welcometothewormhole]

Sounds like us too - here in the UK, GP's are the gatekeepers. Whilst unqualified for anything related to mental health, they hold the key to seeking a referral or accessing further treatment (in the NHS) to anything from depression, to ASD and ADHD. There have been times where I have literally had to print out and show them what they need to be doing and how. I took part in a lecture a little while ago where the ADHD specialist made an insightful point - most GPs and their practices (not the younger ones) qualified when ignorance and unawareness, even amongst the medical profession, were even stronger. So it does support what some people experience when seeking help - it shouldn't - but I think being aware of it can really help if the need to self advocate arises. Yes, it is via the ICD, but I know we use DSM-4 for certain things and are about to adopt 5 in the coming years I believe for others. I'm gasping to get an expert to interview - I have so so many questions to clarify - the more I delve into it, the muddier the waters get in some areas....hopefully soon 🤞🤞🤞

[@lindamcauley4728]

Thank you. I've already asked my GP. And I don't have a friend. Possibly because I'm a terrible person ,adhd. Can be difficult. Let's face it, it really fucks with intentions as opposed to others interpretation. All I know is that I sway between stress and kindness and stress usually wins.

[@welcometothewormhole]

Yup - that's a huge problem. The only way I started getting to grips with it all was “riding the wave” - I'd wait weeks or months until I had a bit of oomphf then chip away at it.....took me 4 bloody yearsknowing something was wrong

[@abzheych1706]

Can we be friends

[@shahasadsalam9757]

I deeply appreciate all your efforts in making these videos and explaining to us in a well understandable way. I also recently diagnosed adhd 5 months, and I'm 31 YO. I'm still on the way to finding the right dose. Im up to 50mg slow release. I can see huge changes in me. I can feel myself, and i have been through a lot. From kindergarten, i always thought why I'm different and different from others. I got judged, rejected, teased, and so on. Now, i feel normal and present. Still have some troubles but are improving on every sitting with my specialist. Thanks for your videos. This will help others to diagnose earlier and hope your videos will reach others in need. All the best....

[@welcometothewormhole]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment - that really make my day ❤️ Sounds like you're on the right path ☺️ The don't, and won't, fix everything - I'm still late without strategies, and the house gets messy inordinately quickly, but it's nice to be more understanding and forgiving now I know ❤️

[@threefatcatsuk]

Thank you so much for these resources! I'm 58 and just coming to the realisation that I may have ADHD so this information will be a huge help.

[@coopermoore7261]

66 and just now realizing ADHD might explain a lifetime of experiences. Starting testing next week. It’s never too late to get understanding, answers and new skills and tools to help deal with life. 😮

[@8bit_misfit]

Your channel is the catalyst for me to begin this journey. All my kids are clinically diagnosed and treated. I have managed to cope my entire life with planning, apps, accountability, my faith..but I think it’s time to see what medication can offer. It’s helped my kids a ton..I think it’s my turn to try it out. Thank you.

[@jenniferparry9293]

thank you so much. My daughter and I have recently been wondering about ourselves and my son, this will help me a lot. You're great for getting this together and explaining things nice and careful. Peace and Love

[@Ironage99]

Thank you again. Your voice is very calming, like a chilled Richard Ayoade.

[@welcometothewormhole]

😂I have heard this more times than I can remember....I met Chris ODowd on a ferry once (IT Crowd) and he said the same thing 😂

[@paulwhite1977]

Thank you for this info, this literally a game changer for me, apart from the support at uni this is a big help!

[@samward1674]

Very informative video, I noticed your glasses and found it hard to concentrate on what you were saying afterwards😂

[@jenshan1999]

Thank you so much for these videos! I am mother to two neurodivergent children. One I suspect has ADHD and we plan to have him reevaluated soon.

[@b00gymans]

Thank you for your videos, its because of videos from yourself and channels like "Yo Samdy Sam" and "How to ADHD" that adults like myself are able to actually come to the realisation that we are different, its not a bad thing and should seek further diagnosis if its effecting our lives negatively. Its unfortunate that i have had to do this via the private medical route but this is not a perfect world. good job buddy, keep the uploads coming 🙂

[@welcometothewormhole]

And it's because of amazing comments like these that I get enough dopamine to keep going 😊 Thank you so much Scott!

[@RealityStudiosInc]

Dude, thanks for this. I'm on the edge of starting a disgnosis journey having been told a few years ago by my gp, that there was no funding for adhd diagnosis in my area. Now I know that has changed because I'm hearing of people getting diagnoses, so it's time to start the process proper. your vids are a really useful intro, so thank you

[@welcometothewormhole]

Your welcome :-) Sigh! I'm hearing so many people coming up against misinformed GPs - horrible! Even a few years ago, 'no funding' wasn't a thing - just misinformed people who should know better. Grrrrrr. It's really worth chasing that right to choose. My strategy is getting approved for a referal by the GP (and why shouldn't they - they're not mental health specialists - and then instantly presenting them with the pre-filled out letter and documents. P.S - I have a feeling I've seen your face at one of the swirl of events over the last few years ;-) Sunrise? Something with Rich Nelson maybe🧐

[@RealityStudiosInc]

@@welcometothewormhole It's good to know about the right to choose, I had no idea about that! I need to rewatch this a few times so the info beds in before I see the GP. Sunrise eh? small world! I was at the last three sunrise celebrations as part of the Neverglade crew doing projections & Djing... fun times!

[@TheTomco11]

I believe that's your gp thinking about the ifr process, where the NHS pays for non NHS services. Right to choose opens your choice up to any clinic that has an NHS contract to provide adhd services, and as such doesn't cost the NHS any more than normal and your icb doesn't have to approve any funding

[@RealityStudiosInc]

@TheTomco11 that sounds like an important distinction to be aware of

[@M2Mil7er]

Damn, I'm just over 1 year into a two year (plus) NHS wait for an adult ADHD referral, and only just found out about Right to Choose! I turned 50 last year and had a bit of a meltdown around my birthday knowing that I have ADHD, but can't get the appropriate treatment until a psychiatrist has signed it off. So much wasted time and potential! Thanks for the heads up about this service. I'll subscribe for that alone! I'll look into it on my day off.

[@markfisher5628]

I'm 52 got diagnosed last December waited two weeks for a appointment with a psychiatrist and got ritalin the same day, you have to be a real maniac to get help without a long wait

[@welcometothewormhole]

One tip, keep chasing. There is a nasty habit of referrals going missing, or crossed wires, which the patient isn't ever made aware of. Just poke the machine every now and then ❤️

[@TheTomco11]

I've already got my right to choose referral (2+ years via NHS in my area vs 6 months via psychiatry uk) but I find your videos very calming, you have the perfect demeanor for this kind of video. One thing about right to choose though, it not available throughout the UK, only England. In England, Wales, and NI you can also ask your gp to submit an individual funding request for an assessment if there is no NHS clinic in your area that can do one, but that means your gp needs to convince your icb that it is absolutely necessary

[@welcometothewormhole]

Thanks Tomco :-) Yes, you're right. I missed adding this detail and the link to the elective treatment in the description 👍 Will update now.

[@amcadam26]

Just curious, as I'm interested in looking into this myself, what's the cost of going private?

[@autisticexpressiongenx]

Great job

[@richardmarshall159]

Thank you! You glass frames ,right and left ,are asymmetric

[@tormundwolfsbaine3606]

Fantastic

[@amcadam26]

From what I hear in the UK, it's virtually impossible to get a diagnosis, and even if you do, it's years before you get any treatment at all. You're best bet is to go private if you can afford it.

[@cgayle92cg]

I went to a psychiatrist, and she said my reaction time and sustained attention weren't impaired enough for it to be ADHD, so she said it was anxiety and depression. As if I haven't had attention issues my whole life, or didn't go to speech therapy when I was 5 because "my brain was going to fast for my mouth to keep up" I may have commented about my previous assessment on one of your videos before, I apologize. Anyway, my next assessment is in April, so fingers crossed the next person understands.

[@welcometothewormhole]

My whole adult life I was being treated for depression and anxiety. I'd done CBT and seen councillors and psychologists...not one of them picked up it was simply ADHD. Within a minute of sitting down for my assessment, David said “just to put your mind at ease, you are exhibiting such classic ADHD signs I saw it a mile away”. Now, I'm looking at people around me and it's really easy to spot - my wife is a primary teacher and she's already helped several kids get the help they need. That's really sad that that psychiatrist said that - it's just not true! Grrrrrrrr

[@cgayle92cg]

@Welcome To The Wormhole - ADHD & Neurodiversity OH yeah, I can definitely spot it in others too. And my ADHD friends did mention they noticed it in my before I did haha

[@Lynsey17]

ADHD is one of many mental illnesses that are generally understood based on few and/or inaccurate symptoms. Even the name is a terribly inaccurate description. So most people (even doctors) don't know what it really looks like. Similar to your speech therapy - I was sent for hearing tests in grade 2 because my teacher was sure I had hearing loss. Turns out, my hearing was fine I just got distracted, didn't listen when I was bored, and frequently forgot instructions. Except for when I didn't (aka when a topic interested me). Instead of realizing that dichotomy indicated a more serious problem, I just got a bunch of lectures about how I needed to listen better and learned to lie when I got caught not paying attention or forgetting something.

[@jliller]

FINALLY - someone else who got sent to speech therapy by teachers who didn't know what ADHD looked like! Didn't happen to me until middle school though. "My brain was going too fast for my mouth to keep up" is almost verbatim what I said to the speech therapist, who apparently didn't recognize ADHD either.

[@cgayle92cg]

@@jliller yeah! It was weird that my Mom didn't think to get me tested either

[@rachelcunningham6519]

Thankyou for such well presented videos. Is anyone able to give insight on the use of ADHD medication alongside anti convulsant medication (for noctural epilepsy)? Many thanks

[@RenZath]

I am in my 40s and never knew about ADHD until recently. I met freinds who spoke to me about their diagnosis and took time to research it myself. I found that I scored high on the short online tests, I took a few. The results lead me towards getting a private consultation with a qualified Psychologist and they used the DIVA and ASRS testing processes. In the end, after a long assessment, the Psychologist informed me that their opinion was I have ADHD and have since childhood but it wasn't diagnosed back then. I'm expecting a report to go to my GP (UK) but I'm not sure what will happen next, I'm happy to take medication if they prescribe that but what usually happens?

[@koltoncrane3099]

Ya the doctor a decade ago told me it’s impossible I had adhd when I asked for adderall to focus in college. He’s like ya got good grades in high school so it’s impossible. I thought to myself my mom is a school teacher and she’d force us to study until we were done. Even if we did everything and had an A- she’d have me talk to the teacher for extra credit. Then a decade later my sister went to tbr same doctor and got diagnosed with adhd even though she’s an adult and had good grades in school. My brother and dad also had adhd and were told that when they were kids. Ya bucked up preworkout has some mind focus ingredients like huperzine a 1% that really helped me when I could sit for long periods or study well in college. My friend asked me so do you sweet when you take a test on preworkout haha. I said well no but the test is three hours long and I studied three hours before the test so six solid hours in one day. For me preworkout seemed like an amazing help to focus.

[@Lynsey17]

I once had a doctor tell me that managing my focus in university by shifting to a different subject when one of my tasks wasn't engaging was something I "couldn't do" if I had ADHD. A decade later when my undiagnosed ADHD was making life impossible another doctor told me he was sure I'd be fine if I "just slept more" and that he didn't think it made sense to focus on an ADHD diagnosis despite me scoring in the diagnosis range on the ADHD evaluations he gave me. So I got a second opinion and, turns out, neither of those things were true. First doctor I truly think was just ignorant about the disorder (as most GPs are, unfortunately). The second one I have much stronger feelings about 😡

[@welcometothewormhole]

Every time I hear these similar stories, it just makes me grrrrrrr, and then sad, and then a little bit despairing. A big realisation very early in my 20's was that no matter who we speak to, we have to self-advocate to get our needs taken seriously....the squeaky gate gets the grease! The only problem with this though is that takes capacity of some sort....something people with mental health related issues are well known to have in abundance of course! *sarcasm 😉*. I'm not bad at public speaking, but if I'm in a depressive period my words and brain disintegrate, I can't go in public or even sometimes move for weeks or months at a time. It's one of the reasons I'm making these videos, and gradually adding to my tiny site - just another little space that people may stumble across with some hopefully worthwhile info that may help them chip away at their current in-the-way rock ❤️

[@claytononcars]

As a 48yr old who was only diagnosed, I have to say it's criminal how hard it is to get an assessment here in Canada. As an adult it was easy, my GP gave me the self report and a 30 minute interview... gave me Vyvanse... and it's been incredible how much I can get accomplished now. We have 2 children that likely have it as well, but it's about $1500 out of pocket for the assessment and there are still lots of children misdiagnosed for many years. It is incredibly sad that doctors will deny children a diagnosis out of fear, that they may abuse the drugs... and leave them at risk for depression, anxiety, drug addiction, sexual exploration that often is dangerous and confusing for them. It seems that many Dr's want to only help the ones who lived a traumatic life after being undiagnosed for decades. Sad

[@welcometothewormhole]

Nodding to all of that - something that is so highly manageable, treatable and prolific is still so hard getting the help for!

[@ADHDForever]

Sharing many of the same frustrations here in AUS. It’s bad enough that most people in general population & many health professionals aren’t educated about it, but when you do finally get round to seeing a GP for a referral… you then struggle to get seen. Many of the ADHD specialists / psychiatrist’s lists are already closed and when you do get “accepted” you‘re forced to a pay fortune (still have to wait ages) or you’ve got to spend an eternity/huge amount of effort to find ones that’s affordable. Saying that you still got to wait for ever to be seen /get assessed. For people who believe they have the condition and are undiagnosed & untreated, but are seeking to get help it’s a very vicious cycle. Patience has never been a strong trait for me. I’m sure I’m alone :)

[@amcadam26]

something that bothers me. If I was to be diagnosed, would I be less creative and have less ideas in my head if I started medication?

[@thaiczd]

I wanna watch the video but your glasses are so distracting😭

[@thaiczd]

I have been trying to get diagnosed so my peditrician said the onky thibg she could do was maie an appointment with a physiatrist, so I webt to the appointment and she completely dissmissed everything I was saying and everytime I woukd say that I didn't want to have many sessions and I wanted something concrete, like a yes or no (yes you do have it or no you don't) she would just tell ne to slow down and schedule a new appointment. I was very mad and honestly just guilty because I saw the fee and for just one appointment it was 100€. I haven't come back yet, feels like I'm not being heard and want a clear diagnosis to prove that I'm not crazy and maybe, just maybe my parents will maje an effort to understand why I am the way that I am (will probably not happen lolll 😭😭👍) but yeah, anyone else is this type of situation? Keep in mind that I'm european and I live in Portugal

[@michaldaumcohen]

Thanks. ... and btw, i find the shifts in focus very distracting and disturbing..... mentioning it since it might be an adhd issue.

[@welcometothewormhole]

my pleasure! - I'm finding for most, they are saying it's helping with attention. But either way, I simply have to make the jump cuts...my short term memory is so bad I have to read a line, quickly say it, then look down and read the next 😂 Haven't found another way around this...one day, when/if the funding allows, a little autocue box for my ipad is in the pipeline ❤️

[@michaldaumcohen]

Thanks a lot for reading & answering (-: I'm not sure though we're referring to the same shifts - I now realize I haven't made it clear l meant the zooming in and out... For me it actually means I'm only listening without watching - and it might have nothing to do with ADHD(-: with which I haven't been diagnosed (yet, well, I'm only 54, no rus or, is there?) But more seriously, I'm certain I am one. Have been "too gifted" made no one wonder. That and ignorance and probably some indifference, and I mean within therapists and professional caregivers that I've encountered throughout my journey. Thanks again, glad to have found your channel...

[@michaldaumcohen]

One more thing, I sensed no flaws in your focus on the subject, all seemed well arranged, to the point and very well explained

[@welcometothewormhole]

Yup - we’re on the same page 👍 Those zoom ins/outs are jump cuts. Every zoom is me having to stop, read the lines, then quickly say it before forgetting 😂 One day, I might make a behind the scene style thing - my wife finds it’s painfully funny to watch me get through a filming session with untold amounts of disorder, distractions and forgetting where I was - it’s been a small miracle every time I finally hit the upload button 😂

[@dimmaz88]

Dude I love your videos, as I'm currently planning my route to diagnosis, but fuck me those glasses trigger me 😂

[@GoADHDGo]

I’m a big fan of matte black walls. Yep, that’s totally off topic but I haven’t my meds yet.

[@welcometothewormhole]

...especially the ones I can draw on 😂 Two of my study walls are coated in blackboard paint from floor to ceiling for messy play/brainstorming

[@johndray2326]

GPs are really bad gatekeepers of the available services.

[@welcometothewormhole]

The same word I use to describe them! It's not at all their fault - just a product of the system, that we've allowed unqualified people to make initial psychological assessments

[@johndray2326]

@@welcometothewormhole My GP was sympathetic and has made a referral. However, she did say that the Psych services might reject it. As I live in Wales there is no 'Right to Choose'. So, even if the referral is accepted, I can expect to be on the waiting list to get an initial consultation for 3 years. And there is no point going private because the NHS would probably not accept the diagnosis. Yet friends with depression get their meds handed out at the first visit. Mmmmm.

[@TheTomco11]

@@johndray2326 if you go through a recognised clinic then you may be able to convince your gp to do a shared care agreement. You'll have to pay for the assessment and initial treatment but your diagnosis would be fully recognised and your gp would take over your prescriptions once you've found the right medication and dose

[@TheTomco11]

@@johndray2326 you can also ask you gp about an ifr which basically means your gp will ask your icb to pay for private treatment

[@johndray2326]

@@TheTomco11 Thank you for those really helpful suggestions

[@bw5187]

might as well take out a loan and go somewhere where you can get things taken care of quicker. . .

[@abzheych1706]

Weed weed n weed.. i doubt ill ever go thru getting diagnosed. Guess we go undiagnosed forever