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How oucl it be that I fit into every criteria for adhd, have many,many symptoms, along with anxiety, and arrested alcholism, and yet , neuropsychological testing (less than 3 hrs. ) supposedly shows no ADHD....merely anxiety? I have compared both problems....I believe in my heart I have both, not just anxiety. Do not take meds. Health won't allow. Probably adding to my anxiety!! Many problems with adhd management, and just cannot believe that it's nothing but anxiety. I KNOW what I live with each day....paper tests don't tell the whole story, sometimes??
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Hello Anonymous,
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, as cited by the CDC. Many other problems, including anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV. Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) is used by mental health professionals to help diagnose ADHD. This diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately diagnosed and treated for ADHD.
The criteria includes exhibiting six or more standardized symptoms of inattention for at least 6 months to a point that is inappropriate for developmental level and six or more standardized symptoms if hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level.
If you believe that you have been misdiagnosed, you could always get a second opinion.
Maryann
February 21, 2013 - 5:39pmThis Comment
thanks. I definetely have 'passed the muster', with the 6'question critera, and was diagnosed a couple yrs. ago. My current psychologist wanted neuorpsychology testing in order to determine any 'brain damage.'. I later learned it was to verify
whether I was adhd or not. I fit into every slot, practically, that I
have read about, I have so many of the problems, and the frustration of managing it has become almost overwhelming. To be told that , now , I really don't have this condition, it's merely anxiety, is very disconcerning. I read the book "Confessions of an ADDIVA", by Linda Roggli, and I laughed, cried, and identified with every single sentence of this 232 page book. I don't care what tests say, I LIVE with myself every minute of each day, and I know what I have to contend with with myself. I honestly feel that
I do have ADD, and that when I first learned of it, I was so relieved to find out I was not crazy. My insurance would not allow me to go thru the testing one more time, and frankly, it would be a waste for me. they were quite stressful, and I was ready to walk out when the testing psychologist told me I did not have to complete the test I was attempting.
I Know myself better than anyone, and I figure that I will simply
live as if, and continue to research and learn all I can on how to
take care of myself, and my symptoms....it is more than frustrating some days, and some times, I simply crash....I can't take any more of myself! But, I keep plugging, and I know the path I'm on, and no one is going to divert me. In my heart of hearts, with all that I've learned in my studying of this, I do believe that this is what is my problem, and I will continue to address it as such. No denying I have anxiety. No denying I've experienced depression in years past. No denying that I abused alcohol more than 40 yrs. ago. Still, ADHD is part of me, and that's just a fact for me. ( it's also in my family!!)
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
the irish queen
February 22, 2013 - 9:20pmThis Comment