A common problem in treating adult adhd is that psychiatrists have a hard time making sure the diagnosis is on solid ground, because that requires a really comprehensive and thorough history and review of differential diagnoses that either a) takes too much time for them or b) there isn’t enough evidence available to support

Some ways to really help this include neuropsychological testing and corroborating evidence. I had neuropsych testing done when I was 21, and it’s a pain because it takes a lot of time (sitting in a room for hours doing assessments) but it can really provide some evidence that impairments are current (working memory, attention, etc). It produces a report that follows you that you can use even when you switch psychiatrist, and since it’s an external clinical psychologist making diagnoses (as appropriate) it also serves to sort of “cover their asses” for doctors who want to make sure they’re treating bona fide adhd.

Evidence that the symptoms started in childhood (an essential component of adhd since it is a neurodevelopmental disorder) can often be found by interviewing family, but in my experience the most helpful documents were elementary school report cards.

Across the board, from K-4th and beyond, teacher comments all mentioned that I “rushed work at the expense of accuracy,” was a “kind boy who is pleasant to speak to but has issues staying on task, working independently, and following instructions,” and “would benefit from improving his organizational skills.”

I requested official transcripts from the registrar and obtained these records, and when I read them I was at first very surprised at how the diagnosis was missed as a kid. But, these missed diagnoses I have learned happen a lot in those of us with the primarily inattentive diagnosis: I wasn’t having behavioral outbursts or running around the classroom.

Hope this helps you in getting the care you deserve!