I am in my 40s & was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago. I tried several meds (only because I tried recreational drugs in college & thought why not to help myself....normally I steer clear of drugs) but found they made me worse. I have a suspicion that the Psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD did so because he had it himself & perhaps saw behaviors in me that he has himself (he disclosed to me he was ADHD). I also got a referral for a therapist who was nice, but I also didn't find particularly helpful.
My mom has been very dismissive when I told her I had ADHD. The last time I raised the issue, she told me the woman who did her nails asked her if I had been diagnosed w/ Aspergers, since she had a son with Aspergers & saw some of the same traits (which came as a complete surprise to me, I thought my mom would have mentioned this to me some time in my 40 odd years on the planet). My mom said she dismissed this because I never complained about my clothes being too tight (which is rather odd, since my mom always bought my clothes 2 sizes too big because I grew so fast). I also remember my parents taking me to a shrink when I was in 3rd grade because they were "worried" about my behavior (I was always quiet & always preferred playing by myself than with other kids), but the shrink found nothing wrong with me.
I now suspect that I do have Aspergers & that the ADHD was a misdiagnosis, so I want to find somebody good.
I have United Behavioral Insurance for mental health issues & Palo Alto Medical Foundation for regular health.
07 Aug 2011, 10:55 am
