Worried about traveling to an ADHD assessment

Ross1975
Ross1975 Online Community Member Posts: 393 Pioneering
in Autism and neurodiversity

So I've made an appointment with my doctor as I'd like to talk to him about me wanting an ADHD assessment.

However it's just dawned on me that unless the assessment will be at a familiar place that I can get to then I probably wont be able to get to it, as I have serious issues with traveling far, especially if it's an unfamiliar place. I have severe anxiety around getting a bus, train, or taxi, can't understand timetables, don't know what to say to the bus driver as far as where I want to get off if it's not near to some well known landmark, etc, and worry about getting lost or stranded (this has happened to me in the past). I also have issues with driving which means it would be unsafe for me to try to drive somewhere unfamiliar on a complicated journey, and again there is a decent chance I would get lost and not know how to get back home.

There's video calls but I feel uncomfortable with that and I'm also worried that my computer or webcam may not be compatible with the call.

I feel like it's already unlikely that I'll get diagnosed with ADHD as it's meant to be very difficult to get diagnosed with it even if you have it, but now this new issue is making it feel like it's probably going to be impossible for me now.

I really struggle in life and I'm miserable because of it, and I was thinking if it is ADHD that I have (I have so many of the symptoms and my friend who is a therapist believes I have it) then being diagnosed with it and being given medication for it could really turn my life around, I can't stand the thought of being stuck like this forever.

Is there anyone here who has issues with traveling but still managed to have an ADHD assessment? What did you do?

Comments

  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 4,022 Championing
    edited November 12
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/139856/worried-about-traveling-to-an-adhd-assessment

    Hi. I was assessed for ASD earlier this year. I'm physically disabled with anxiety through the clouds. I paid somebody I know well to drive me and help me into the building. Could your friend support you for his/her usual fee either by driving you or helping with video calls?

  • Ross1975
    Ross1975 Online Community Member Posts: 393 Pioneering
    edited November 12

    My friend is in America. There isn't really anyone who could take me to the assessment.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,376 Championing

    I had the same issue with an ASD assessment a few years ago. I hoped they would have some way of doing the diagnosis without travelling but was surprised by the lack of understanding and adjustments.

    The assessment centre just suggested that I catch a train myself (something I've never done!) and travel over an hour away to their centre. Needless to say I didn't have the assessment! But in my case I don't think it matters now anyway. I haven't found any proper practical support for adults with ASD and have been repeatedly surprised by the lack of adjustments that are offered throughout the health services, which is where I really needed the support pre-covid. It's too late for me to access health services now due to further health decline.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,413 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Ross1975. Do you know if there's an option to do a phone call? Maybe that would be better for you.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 8,452 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1082801#Comment_1082801

    I would talk to your GP now because they take years for assessments get on the first step ie talking and they get you to fill a questionnaire out and take it from there tbh unless your looking to go private it will be a few years for most people

Categories