Attention deficity disorder diagnosis?!
Question: I'm a college student and I've had ADD my whole life. Unfortunately, the psychiatrist that diagnosed me when I was a tot died and somehow the files all went missing. (whatever, I don't get it, that's just what I've been told by the new owners of the practice) For college, I need the diagnosis in order to get extended time on exams and for my teachers to understand that I'm SICK. They don't care, they don't understand how hard it is. I don't remember anything about the diagnosis. I have an appointment with a shrink on Wednesday and he's going to "test" me for ADD. Does anyone know what this diagnostic test will consist of and explain it to me? I just need to be prepared for it. Supposedly it's going to be three hours long. (!!!!)
I'm really anxious about it and I'm afraid he's going to tell me it's all in my head or something. Everyone else seems to think I'm just making it up because they don't have this disorder and don't understand just how crippling it can be!
Answers: Relax! It's great that you are going to a shrink for your ADD. I have it too. First, you're not sick. It's ADD, problems with focusing, remembering, staying on task, etc. It's a real problem but can be treatable. The diagnostic is really easy. You'll be asked to draw stuff, give tasks to check your memory, put circle blocks in circular holes, stuff that sounds really childish but is a good tool for checking for ADD and ADHD. You can't study for it, sorry. If you go on WebMD.com you can read and look up ADD. They also have a test to see if you have it. Just because you were diagnosed as a kid doesn't mean you have or haven't got it. You should be reassessed. It's great that you took the initiative to get treatment for it.