Went to speak with my GP a number of months ago regarding my troubles with executive dysfunction, time management, and task completion, as well as impulsivity. They referred me to xyla for an ADHD assessment
Went through the assessment process, awaited results
Went to speak to a different GP who has more specialised focus on mental health issues. Explained my issues to her without even alluding to ADHD and she immediately clocked me as being likely to be ADHD. Said basically all the troubles (extending beyond the ones I mentioned here, too) would be at least partly explained by ADHD and getting treated for such would help me. She said we'll wait for the diagnosis
Got the results back today and despite showing high significance on the pre-assessment and the actual assessment, my family informant did not. (I don't feel like any of my family has any idea what my childhood was like for me because whenever I talk about my experiences they tell me "oh I dont remember that, you were always xyz"). So, no ADHD diagnosis.
I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm just sitting here spiralling because as far as they can suggest, all my issues are just because I'm failing to apply myself or some shit. I'm just a failure, not neurodivergent.
I pushed back against their conclusion and they said I can go for a second opinion, but they didn't give me any like... Tools or resources. Like, okay if you don't think its ADHD and you just think I am just like this, what do I do about it. How do I get help. Help me. Please god fucking help me.
I think a lot of the assessments are also outdated and often under-report, so the fact that those were positive and one non-medical person decided you're not, is totally bogus and a second opinion is warranted IMHO. I don't live in the UK so I'm not sure how the family informant thing works, but can you just get another of those or do you have to start the whole process over?
Also, be sure to go to someone who specializes in neurodivergence if possible. For me no therapist or psychiatrist caught the ADHD until I happened to switch psychiatrists for anxiety medication management and he happened to have ADHD himself and recognized the symptoms. I've never been able to see a true specialist in the area to determine if I also have Autism (which I, my therapist, and that old psychiatrist are pretty sure of) or other ND diagnoses due to many years long wait lists, but that's in the US. And despite the propaganda against socialized medicine saying otherwise, medical wait times are getting crazy these days.
This is great advice, thank you. I can't just get a do-over with a new informant questionnaire, I have to start the process over.
Re: the professionals clocking the symptoms instantly, it has happened a few times for me too which is why I was so shocked to receive a negative diagnosis.
I'll keep your advice in mind, thank you again.