First off I am in England in the UK, so that's the medical system I would probably be using.
I've had significant issues with executive function throughout my life, but especially in the last two years of my integrated masters degree. This includes organization, as well as staying focused. I've had issues with losing things, multitasking, procrastinating, racing thoughts, and other issues in the other areas of life as well. I am thinking of going back to do a PhD or starting my first full time job, and am worried that I will really struggle this time.
I got a diagnosis of Asperger's before you could officially have a dual diagnosis under the DSM. So even though some of initial paperwork said I had significant evidence of ADHD, I couldn't actually be diagnosed with both so I guess Asperger's took precedence. This all happened when I was like 4 or 5 years old.
I am thinking medications or maybe therapy might be helpful, but I don't know if I need the second diagnosis to get those. From what I understand the NHS (UK public health system) has long wait times, and going private might be expensive. Additionally going to a psychologist, and talking about stuff with my family seems scary.
Additionally I have issues with sleeping and waking that probably won't help get all of this organized, and I probably need to get this addressed too. I understand that both ASD and ADHD can cause sleep issues, so maybe getting treatment for those would help.
Sorry for the long post. I hope this is also the right community for this as I wasn't sure where to post this.
Edit: I also have hyperfixation/hyperfocus/special interests out the waazoo, but I didn't know if this was relevant as that's also a part of having autism.
I have both and I think it's better to know, independent of the outcome.
Yeah this makes a fair bit of sense. At least then it would be less confusing and I wouldn't have to worry about it quite so much.
How difficult is it to get diagnosed as an adult though? Since the last time I got a diagnosis was when I was small I don't really know the process.
Personal experience from Germany but also heard from others in the UK: it's easier to get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult than an ASD diagnosis as an adult.
Does getting diagnosed even do anything other then knowing what you already know?
They can prescribe you medicine better. It is also necessary for disability (which autism and ADHD qualify as) to actually have a diagnosis.
For ADHD it means you can try medication to help you. For ASD it wouldn't change anything for me personally so I'm not going to bother.
But there is no testing for ADHD. It's just someone agreeing that they also think you have it.
Well, I had to go through excessive tests, including blood work and EEG.
I can see EEG being something valid, blood tests just seem like body baseline and would have zero bearing on a clinical evaluation.
Either way, glad you had it addressed
Blood tests help to exclude other reasons for symptoms so they absolutely have bearing.
There are officially recognised tests that potentially lead to officially recognised diagnoses. For ADHD specifically that can lead to access to medication you wouldn't have without the official diagnosis.
Must be just Canada then, but my doctor didn't give a flying shit about diagnosing ADHD. Stated it was clinical and if you feel you have it, good chance you got it. Just threw random steroids at me until something clicked.
Steroids? I've never heard of those being a treatment for ADHD
Can confirm, they are not. I assume they meant stimulants? I assume "threw random ... at me" also actually means "systematically trialled a series of medications until one was found to be sufficiently effective with minimal side effects".
I would have no idea what the ASD process for an adult is like, mine was upgraded(?) from the Asperger's syndrome diagnosis I got as a child when medical terminology shifted. Is it difficult?
Well, last time I checked they said it would take 3-5 years waiting time to get an appointment, recently I learned they don't even have an open waiting list right now.
Yikes. I don't think I have ever been so glad to already have an autism diagnosis.
What is the wait time like for ADHD?
Same, they are currently still working through the 2019 backlog.
There is the option of going through "Right To Choose" system, which is ostensibly quicker but i think you have to pay for things yourself.
GP or doctor can give you proper advice about that though.