I called today about getting tested for ADD. :) It's my second time calling, but this time I can afford the test and I'm not a chicken.

It just took me a few months to get up the courage and to convince myself that I should spend the money. The last straw was earlier this week when my mom brought it up and told me that she's suspected for years that I have it.

So I have to fill out a questionnaire and send it in; once they get it, I'll be put on the waiting list. The woman said I should be tested within a month.

I'm just wondering what sorts of things will be done during the testing. I'm also wondering if the person I see will have an extensive backgroung with ADD or if it'll just be some random Dr. who tests for anything. I don't know much about the place except that it was referred to me when I called the counseling center at my university to get tested.

yAY! pINKIE wAY tO gO!!!

I'd call and ask what to expect during the first visit.
Also if Dr's there are experienced with diagnosing ADD, receptionists usually know their Docs and what their strengths are. Maybe she can note somewhere on your file a certain Dr's name if one, in her opinion is better than another.

Be sure to share what you learn!

pinkie, where was that Pink Ladies association with 'Greece' top you mentioned on the Last Post thread?

thanks charlie, and thanks for the tips. :)


here's the top that says Pink Ladies on the front: http://store.alloy.com/catalog/browse/productview.asp?PRODUCT_ID=19963&PARENT=1007&PARENT=10013

Good Luck Pinky.....I remember when I was in pysch Hospital and they did a lot of test on me...Ick Blots(hehe...I think I scared the guy when I said I saw Lucifer was standing behind him..JK:p)....Ick Anne Rice Sent her Minyuns to do her biding and took a blood test........Hand/Eye Corrdination...How fast with matching symbols, put things in chronilogical order....Of course that was just 12 years ago on my side of the Nutty Butty Farm...It may have changed. Hugs 2 ya!

heh, I like that draga, that's even better than mine, when the psych asked if I see things that others don't see, I said "I see really stupid things that other people seem to accept as perfectly normal..."

LMAO!!!!! Did Ya finish the sentence.. "I see really stupid things that other people seem to accept as perfectly normal....like...ummmm....YOU" :D? LOL!

Congrats to pinkie for finally getting tested! I remember the first time I thought "Hey, I might have ADD." From that time until the time I actually called about getting tested was about 2 months. I didn't actually get tested until a month following that. Believe me, if I could have those 2 months back, I'd take it. :)

Oh, yeah, and that was super funny, the thing about "I see stupid stuff other people accept as perfectly normal..." My old boss actually said the same thing about me, that I notice stuff like that way before everyone else. The problem I had is that I felt compelled to say something then and there rather than wait and persuade the people involved that it was really their idea to do things the right way. Lol...

yeah, one of the most amazing things I've noticed since starting taking meds is the ability NOT to say whatever thought pops into my head...

yeah, one of the most amazing things I've noticed since starting taking meds is the ability NOT to say whatever thought pops into my head...

Isn't that incredible? It definitely slows me down long enough to not say things that could get me in trouble. Yay for inhibitions!

airforceforgood {quote}
yeah, one of the most amazing things I've noticed since starting taking meds is the ability NOT to say whatever thought pops into my head...{quote}

now I'm looking even MORE forward getting ADD meds!

that one habit has got to get me in MORE trouble than anything!

Where did I read that acronym STAR or something StopTalkingAnd__? does anyone have that in their memory banks?

thanks for the link pinkie, I was thinking you had found something different I could tell my co-worker about for her bestest friend 'pinkie'
truthfully I'd never heard that nickname before!

Regarding your test, also pinkie mine was just a verbal quiz pretty dang painless!

Aforcegood....:eek: I can't do it...Hmmm...And not sure I want to hehe

when the psych asked if I see things that others don't see, I said "I see really stupid things that other people seem to accept as perfectly normal..."Haha, that's great. Thanks for your support everyone, it really helps. :)

I did a little research on the place and it seems to me that there'll be a lot of verbal and written tests. I don't think there'll be any blood work or anything like that, I don't think the facility is equipped for that. I get a discount for the testing because I'm a full-time student at its affiliated university. So I guess it's good that I'm starting this now and not in two or three months since I graduate in December.

I'm not nervous, just curious about what it'll be like. I've never been to a psychologist before.

Well, the way mine went was like this:

I went for a first visit, which consisted of a clinical interview and discussion of what my issues are and why I thought I had add. This lasted about an hour. My second and third visits lasted more like 3 hours each. I did a TON of tests, including a personality and IQ test. The specific tests your doc has you do will probably differ, but I'd expect to spend 7-12 hours on the whole endeavor.

If you do it over multiple days, be sure to schedule the appointments at a time when you don't have anything to do afterward. It can be exhausting. :)

Wow, exeter, what medical plan do you have? I got diagnosed on my second visit, of course I had taken the advice of the Doctor who moderates the CHADD meetings I go to and documented everything I could and gave that to him to make it easier for him to document his diagnosis.

I printed out the Amen questionnaire among other things- he smiled, that was what he was going to have me fill out.

I also had seen a psych previous to him some years ago who had given me the personality test which concluded I was highly impulsive, even when I took it again (trying not to give the answers that would verify the impulsiveness) and knew my own IQ, so maybe that helped speed things up.

So I guess I'm passing this advice on to you Pinky, IF you're looking to find out as soon as possible.

I'd actually recommend that you don't do that though, just let the doctor come to his own conclusion, but don't take his conclusion as set in stone. I've heard way too many stories of ignorant doctors who dismiss ADD or misdiagnose it.

For instance the psych I saw who gave me the personality test which indicated I was highly impulsive, that was as far as he went with that information. That was years ago. If I had discovered I was ADD then, I'd be that much farther down the road ...

I'd actually recommend that you don't do that though, just let the doctor come to his own conclusion, but don't take his conclusion as set in stone. I've heard way too many stories of ignorant doctors who dismiss ADD or misdiagnose it.
Oh okay. I'd wondered about whether I should do that, print out some questionnaires I've taken to show them my results...but I see your point and I like it better.

Exeter, I think I'll be doing something similar to what you did. Their website gave me the impression that it takes a couple of visits to get the testing done, and it seems like there are a ton of tests they do.

Well, I finally turned the questionnaire in today. I procrastinated filling it out for two weeks. *blush* Kicked myself into gear last night and did it. But now all I have to do is wait for the call. Whew.

I feel like I constantly kick my @#! into gear to get myself motivated to do the everyday things in life. And one of the #1 thing I need to do is be dx'd to get the meds and counseling( on ADHD and deeper rooted issues). But I'm scared that once dx'd the feeling of failure is not erased, especially when it seems like it is at everyturn. That doesn't excuse all things that I have done for the last 42 years. The guilt of not making the right choices as an adult who knows right from wrong is overwhelming at times that I don't want too or can I function for a few weeks. Procrastination seems to be a demon on the ADDer's shoulder, I know the first step is being dx'd, I've read some books and visited the web sites, but just can't pick up that phone to make to call. Hopefully once I conquer that the feelings of guilt and failure will start to diminish. If ayone can give me some insight on this it will be greatly appreciated.....:confused:

One of the most important things I've found that I've had to do is to not even think about all the years of my life "wasted" (which they really weren't, they were just sub-optimal).

Does no good, you can only start improving THIS SECOND, every second you get an opportunity to do that.

No sense crying over spilled milk. All you can do is clean it up, and the sooner the better before it sours and stinks up the place. The longer you wait, the harder it will be (not to mention stinkier.). So when you're reading this, PICK UP THE PHONE AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. DO IT NOW! STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. JUST DO IT. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. JUST DO THE ACTION. Or ask a freind or family member to do it for you if that's what it takes. Just make sure it gets done.

I'm going to ask you tonight if you did it yet... ;)

I always recommend acetyl-L-carnitine or mega amounts of caffeine to those who aren't diagnosed or on meds yet to help you get started. That will help you focus, and show you how good it can be to have a brain that works, thereby motivating you to move forward.

I know it's scary, but isn't it more scary to keep on the way you are?

Here's a thread/post that to me was a hugely helpful kick in the pants to motivate me...

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1386&highlight=timers

If you love your friends and family, take a step forward.

Hopefully someday I will get the chance to meet and thank NNamelet.

Until then, thank you NNamelet. I need to print out and pass out your post (with your permission of course) at the next CHADD meeting.

Thanks for the force, forceofgood..I read the link and you're right... I will make the call in the morning. The clock is ticking and I need to get this under control before I do further damage to my life and everyone around me. Thanks again for the advise.

If you can call now and leave a message, I'd recommend doing that. For a few reasons.

a) You'll see how very easy it is to start making your life better.

b) You'll have taken a positive step which will help lift some of the depression you're in.

c) You'll have the message there working for you even if you get busy tomorrow and don't get a chance to do it, or get scared again, or forget.

d) It'll be very easy for you to call now when you don't actually have to talk to a person.

e) You may find out you need things in order to make the appointment, your medical ins. acct. #, etc. which if you don't find out until tomorrow may trip you up, delaying the appt, until you remember to have on hand what you need, and THEN remember to call, and THEN actually mustering up the courage and/or will to do it, etc.,etc.,etc.

Please for your own good and the good of those you love and who love you CALL RIGHT NOW.

Hey Forceforgood:
Requesting permission to rip off your response below. It is good for many occassions, not just for scr**ing with shrinks. Excellent work. GirlDriver

heh, I like that draga, that's even better than mine, when the psych asked if I see things that others don't see, I said "I see really stupid things that other people seem to accept as perfectly normal..."

Whomever said that they see stupid things other people accept as normal, kudos. Was it you, Draga (should have known) & not ForceForGood? I may have messed up in my earlier kudos. Hee, hee. Gawd I hope a "professional" asks me if I see special things so I can use the reply. ;) GirlDriver

Oh yeeeeeees. Absolutely. By all means. :D

so how'd it go?

Um....Me thinks that was U force. Kuddos(whaddava dat means):D