So my counselor told me I have ADHD but she wanted me to get the official diagnosis from a doctor or psychiatrist rather than from her. Last month I went to a family practice doctor that specializes in ADHD (he was listed on the ADDITUDE list of specialists). At the end of the first appointment he was 85-95% certain I had it but he does his evaluation in 2 parts - so he wanted me to come back later for the computer based test TOVA. I did that today - and the results though abnormal were more in line with the normative group than the ADHD group so he doesn’t think I have ADHD and recommended I go to a diagnostician (maybe I psychologist) and gave me a card for a counseling office. The test was mostly normal - except for the 3rd quarter of the test (during which time it is testing impulsivity) and I made too many mistakes there so it put it in the abnormal range for that section… On a scale of negative 10 to positive 10 I was at 3.22 - below 0 is ADHD and above 0 is more inline with not having ADHD… I did read online that if for some reason your brain finds the test stimulating you could get a false negative - sort of like a computer game (though a boring one) - I have had trouble binging on computer games in the past as a way to escape stress… I did fear that I would do better on the test than I do at work… I feel like the test is easier because all I had to do was pay attention and click the button - at work I have to make decisions (so hard) and create content (well document my patient treatments/evaluations - I’m a physical therapist) - but that involves a lot more brain power than clicking a button so it doesn’t really simulate my “normal life” situation…
I’ve been working with my counselor for over a year and have told her lots of stuff about my struggles… one person told me anxiety can look like ADHD. When I told her that she said yes, and I might buy if you didn’t have so many of the other symptoms… so she really felt it was ADHD (she does agree I have anxiety too - but thinks it maybe the anxiety is caused by the untreated ADHD).
During the Doctor’s initial assessment I felt like he relied a lot on the questionnaires he had me fill out (for ADHD, anxiety, depression, sleep, etc) - we did spend a good bit of time talking - mostly about my struggles at work since that is my biggest problem (or at least the most urgent one - I also have a lot of trouble at home where the ADHD (or whatever my problem is) affects me). - but we didn’t talk about all the different struggles…
I guess I wonder if I need to get a second opinion or just say it must be something else… course maybe if I go to a psychologist they will think it is ADHD??? or maybe something else… He said to talk to my counselor first - so I’ll see what she says. She is on vacation right now - but I have an appointment with her next Sunday - so I will be interested to hear her thoughts on the matter.
I was relieved not to have to start the medicine as I was scared of it - and certainly don’t want to take stimulant ADHD medicine if I don’t have ADHD (or another condition for which it would be indicated) - but on the other hand I had hoped it would make a difference at work… I’m really struggling there and I need to do better - my boss has been patient - but I don’t want to lose my job and fear I will eventually if I can’t improve my productivity…
Has anyone here had a similar situation where the computer testing didn’t show ADHD but you still got diagnosed or got a second opinion? Technically my counselor already diagnosed me - but she wanted me to get it from a doctor thinking it would have more weight at work (for accommodations)…or that meds might help and she can’t prescribe meds.