Plucked up the Courage

This is not only my first post but also my first step towards getting a much needed diagnosis for ADD.

I have spent years, knowing that something was up and that the description of Attention Deficit Disorder fitted me like a glove. It is only recently that I have actually shared my thoughts with my friends and family and after a brief explanation of what ADD is all about they agreed. My friends actually laughed at the specification sheet I showed them and said how it was basically me described on paper. Although not the same as a diagnosis, I felt much better knowing that other people are aware of my inattention and it means that I'm not just being paranoid.

I have a little book suggestion for anyone with queries about ADD and other related mental disorders written by Dr. Robin Pauc. It is called 'Could it Be You?' and specialises in the Adult side of ADD which is rarely covered in the UK.

Continuing with my backstory, I then made an appointment with one of the doctors at my practice. They had chosen a female doctor for me which was great as I felt she would be more understanding and keen to listen but when I turned up today they had changed my doctor and was now going to be a male one which for some reason made me nervous. After an uncomfortable hour-long wait (which consisted of me fidgeting and appearing very odd to the other patients in the waiting room) I was buzzed to go in. It took me a while to get out what I wanted to say because the nerves had gotten the better of me and my voice was all shaky. Although a brief meeting, I managed to say almost everything I had listed in my head to mention on the day and the doctor has referred me to a specialist nearby which I am extremely grateful for as he could have easily laughed in my face and told me that ADD was a pile of 'American nonsense'.

Note to readers wanting to know how to speak to your doctor getting diagnosed: Use this spec-sheet or look for ones very similar to it so that your doctor can look at it and see exactly what is up in the simplest way.

I am hoping for a letter from the doctor in a couple of weeks time with an appointment or information from the specialists and so I will definitely be keeping you posted on the turnout. You will also be seeing anything ADD-related in my life such as photographs and events which are all huge factors in my life that let me escape from the hustle and bustle of the ADD-mind.

Thanks, Jessie.