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Ymura

1y ago

Screened for ADHD but Ended Up Linked to GAD and PTSD

After 2 years, I finally was able to get a screening and prognosis for potential ADHD--- but I don't have it. The psychologist did end up diagnosing me with GAD (which I'm not really sure I have) as well as disorders I already knew I had (depression, PTSD). She said I had tendencies like someone with ADHD, but my brain isn't wired like someone with ADHD. So she said she believed it was because of unresolved trauma and in order to get better, I had to review my medication (right now I'm taking fluoxetine and bupropion) and go to therapy. That's all right, but now I feel like I'm back at square one--- I'm not sure how I should feel. Has anyone gone through a similar experience? TL;DR: Screened for ADHD, just ended up being linked to GAD and PTSD

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minime273

1y ago

So I can say that my ADHD is definitely made worse by my anxiety, so treating anxiety should help, but if you can, you might want to try getting a second opinion.
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emandgrem

1y ago

The problem with diagnoses is that you're going to get different ones by different people. The DSM or whatever is used where you live is subjective to the person interpreting it. ADHD is also written as the way neurotypicals see it and it doesn't tend to always match our experience. If saying you have ADHD is helpful for you or you think you have it, then you can decide to ascribe that label to yourself. I know it's important to some people to have an exact label and others it's not. But either way, if information and tips for ADHD helps you, use them! If talking to people with ADHD helps and validates you, do it! ❤️
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AlyssaNicole89

1y ago

adhd is not diagnosed by the dsm, you have to get tested for it
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wasplord

1y ago

I strongly disagree. If a medical professional says you have ADHD tendencies but you aren't wired the way ADHD wires you, it is not appropriate to "label" yourself as ADHD. It's like saying you like cleaning so you label yourself as OCD: it's disrespectful and inaccurate. Saying you still suspect you may have it and seeking out similar strategies that people with ADHD use is fine, of course, and I encourage OP to talk with ADHD people about it since she has similar tendencies. But labeling herself as ADHD is not validating her--it's invalidating others.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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