I am about to start the attempt to get diagnosed.

I am a little worried about it going on my permanent record that I have a brain disorder. I'm worried about possibly not being covered for insurance in the future. About not being hired for future jobs. I also have a custody situation and I worry that it could be used against me if it comes out (DS has it too).

While I'm relieved that I might finally get help (I used adderall off the record for a month and was 500% better), I'm also personally a little depressed that I will have confirmation that my brain is "screwed up". I have always taken personal comfort in relying on my intelligence and this is directly opposite of that. I know this could help me use that intelligence much more effectively, but it still makes me a bit sad.

But my main fear right now is will I regret this down the road. Would it keep it off my "record" if I didn't use insurance for the dr or the prescriptions? Has anyone had negative consequences as a result of being labeled?

I figure it's gotten to the point that it's interfering with my work, so I might as well risk the consequences or else I will risk being fired.

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ETA - Now I'm reading on the career and job forum about people getting fired for not disclosing they have ADD and are taking medication. I would hate to have to disclose that. Who would hire you if they are familiar with ADD?

KitKAt, I am on the other side of the world, so I have no idea about your employment laws....
I think it's best to get help first, then sort the other stuff after

I am a little worried about it going on my permanent record that I have a brain disorder. I'm worried about possibly not being covered for insurance in the future. About not being hired for future jobs. I also have a custody situation and I worry that it could be used against me if it comes out (DS has it too).

But my main fear right now is will I regret this down the road. Would it keep it off my "record" if I didn't use insurance for the dr or the prescriptions? Has anyone had negative consequences as a result of being labeled?

ETA - Now I'm reading on the career and job forum about people getting fired for not disclosing they have ADD and are taking medication. I would hate to have to disclose that. Who would hire you if they are familiar with ADD?An diagnosis is a medical statement and it's confidentiality is protected by law. It is ILLEGAL for an future employer to ask about disabilities before hiring. It is ILLEGAL for your doctor, insurance company or any other medical personel to provide that information to others without prior WRITTEN permission from you naming the party and what information can be disclosed. You are under no obligation to disclose medical or ability status to anyone outside of your doctors unless asking for specific accomodations.

It is also ILLEGAL for an employer to fire a person for failure to disclose disability info. Again, unless your disability affects your ability to do that job or you need accomodations, your disability is none of the their business. Although most employers who do fire for disability, make sure that the paperwork says you were fired for another reason, or have you sign an "at will" contract before you start.

BTW, all these laws are federal, so it doesn't matter what state your in. So long as you are in the US and a citizen/legal alien, these are your rights and you can successfully sue if you are denied them.

Some insurance companies might say they will not cover your ADD treatment as it was a pre-existing condition at the time of contract, but this is doesn't appear very common. In my case, they called me up and asked if it was under control and was I careful and not abusing my meds. Once I said I had my ADD under control, they had no problems providing coverage for it.

Sorry if this got a little ranty, some close friends have had some run-ins with employers trying to get around ADA and HIPPA.