It looks like mum (me!) may have ADHD too!

[sapphyre]

Well after doing all the research back in 2007 and agreeing with my son's paediatrician that he had AD/HD... and then getting my husband diagnosed, lol... and later son is also diagnosed with mild Asperger's...

Hubby has in the intervening years suggested I have it too... I laughed him off. I was an A-grade student (at least until the last year of high school when I was distracted by a boy lol), went to university, and supporting the family since the end of 1999 with my professional, high paying software development job.

Last year I read Understanding Girls With AD/HD by Kathleen Nadeau, and went oh.... I may well be the Chatty Kathy version... and I'm bright... and apparently bright ADHD girls get by....

At the start of the year, DD now 6 went for her assessment (1 x history session, 2 x testing sessions, 1 x report session), she officially doesn't have it... but they said she was at risk for something else (MDD/DAMP?) and to bring her back when she is 8.

We all think she has mild ADHD, but heck, she's 6 and very, very bright, so it's kinda hard to tell. DS wasn't diagnosed until he was almost 8, and he and his dad are severely affected in my opinion

Then I kept reading more ... at adhdmarriage.com and in the book Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D....

What do you think? Should I spend the $400 AUD getting assessed? (Does not include the psychiatrist and is a psychologist who is completing her registration, fully supervised, but in a clinic which is all about ADHD.)

P.S. I hope this counts towards the competition for the book!

[charliegirl]

Do you think you might have it and/or is it seriously affecting your marriage and family? If so, it would be a good idea to be checked.

Many adults have learned strong coping skills to effectively manage their symptoms. If you don't see any benefit to it then save the money. If a diagnosis won't help you there would be no reason to have it. If there are areas where you just can't keep it together then no cost is too great to get the help you need. Only you and your hubby know enough to decide.

Don't you love it when you ask a question and it gets thrown right back at you!

Yes, you are now entered into the drawing.

[sapphyre]

Adult content, warning ;D

I suspect it has severely affected our sex life. Silly me, when I was tired or not interested, I would say No. Or I never initiated sex. (No other woman I know does either.) Now I can't get any ever. Bugger.

So, there's a reason, but I wonder if I should explain that to the person testing me?

[misty]

To me it sounds like you really want a firm diagnosis so I think if you have the money, its worth it to have the testing. As for the other issue....there's no reason you can't start initiating now! Its never too late! By the way, its nice to see you again!

[jj]

I've always said it didn't matter to me if I got an official dx or not because I have learned to cope with most things. Your post was a little wake up moment for me. So how many things in my life could I have done better, if I had an official dx and perhaps some help to cope. If I have adhd and identified problems early on, maybe things would be different. Would I have had more success with my marriages? Maybe there wouldn't have been marriages but just one marriage? Would I have a better job than I have now? I know it would explain why I struggled in school.

So I think if you want to know and you can afford it and you think it may help in some areas in your life, then go for it.

[sapphyre]

Weird, I could've sworn I already responded to this...

Thanks for your help! (And glad to be inspirational JJ, and yes, I missed you too Misty! How's bill - please post a link to whatever thread you are updating us on, I may never find it lol)

I've put a reminder in my calendar (Outlook) for tomorrow to ring the clinic and find out if I can get assessed without having to see the psychiatrist, and if I can still get it at the cheaper rate (with the psychologist still working towards her registration).

I will set some money aside out of the sale of my Grandma's mini (we can't afford to keep it anymore, and it's worth a few thousand) and tax return.