Last year as a result of a combination of work stresses and problems and having failed to take a copy of my original (unexpected) autism diagnosis from 2002 after I moved across the US and they destroyed that record after 7 years, it was via a private practice, and ADHD and autism (and I think, other things, not sure) were being assessed at the same time starting with a relatively small set of questions on a paper questionnaire, as well as interviews. The first 5 questions were scales for clearly ADHD things, and I maxed those out. The 6th question asked about intrusive thoughts, I got bogged down asking the psych NP was meant by that, since… well, I don’t want to have inaccuracies due to misunderstandings. She looked at the first 5 questions, saw they were maxed, and as I’d stated before answering them, “I have a mind without an off switch” she told me answering the rest of the questions would be redundant. Interestingly, those first 5 questions were in a grey section making them stand out from all the others. She informed me that was enough, given my statement. And while things haven’t gone as desired for finding a workable treatment plan due to blood pressure issues and an anomalous response to guanfacine, it’s very clear that combined-type is correct. The rest of the two sessions were an interview, and the third that should have happened regarding my issues, didn’t, because she unexpectedly had to resign 2 weeks after starting. Oh, and I got the autism assessment (not maximally formal for Washington state requirements for certain things) scheduled with a less than 24 hour wait, which was a funky result when all is considered.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, it's helpful to hear from someone who's been through it 💓

I had been fobbed off so many times by mental health services, invalidated and minimised - and then it turned out I was struggling with ADHD all this time. Half of me is looking back at life, seeing what makes sense now… But the other halt is looking back at my encounters with mental health services wondering how they didn’t pick up on it. Worst experience was being told: ‘I have no idea what this is - I’ve never heard anything like it!’ when speaking to a practitioner while I was in crisis.

I had the almost exact experience with my autism and adhd diagnosis. I got my adhd diagnosis a few month after I got my autism diagnosis. It felt weird and I still do not understand what experiences are more to adhd or autism releated. After realising I am autistic I thought thats the explenation of everything I experience, but now there is also adhd. Hearing you talk about your thouths and feelings really helps me understand it all more. Thank you! 💚

Good video, Ella.❤❤❤❤