Does it make sense to get an ADHD diagnosis if I already have an ASD diagnosis?
Does it make sense to get an ADHD diagnosis if I already have an ASD diagnosis?
First off I am in England in the UK, so that's the medical system I would probably be using.
I've had significant issues with executive function throughout my life, but especially in the last two years of my integrated masters degree. This includes organization, as well as staying focused. I've had issues with losing things, multitasking, procrastinating, racing thoughts, and other issues in the other areas of life as well. I am thinking of going back to do a PhD or starting my first full time job, and am worried that I will really struggle this time.
I got a diagnosis of Asperger's before you could officially have a dual diagnosis under the DSM. So even though some of initial paperwork said I had significant evidence of ADHD, I couldn't actually be diagnosed with both so I guess Asperger's took precedence. This all happened when I was like 4 or 5 years old.
I am thinking medications or maybe therapy might be helpful, but I don't know if I need the second diagnosis to get those. From what I understand the NHS (UK public health system) has long wait times, and going private might be expensive. Additionally going to a psychologist, and talking about stuff with my family seems scary.
Additionally I have issues with sleeping and waking that probably won't help get all of this organized, and I probably need to get this addressed too. I understand that both ASD and ADHD can cause sleep issues, so maybe getting treatment for those would help.
Sorry for the long post. I hope this is also the right community for this as I wasn't sure where to post this.
Edit: I also have hyperfixation/hyperfocus/special interests out the waazoo, but I didn't know if this was relevant as that's also a part of having autism.
I have both and I think it's better to know, independent of the outcome.
Yeah this makes a fair bit of sense. At least then it would be less confusing and I wouldn't have to worry about it quite so much.
How difficult is it to get diagnosed as an adult though? Since the last time I got a diagnosis was when I was small I don't really know the process.
Getting the diagnosis could open up treatment options for ADHD that could make dealing with other aspects of life easier overall
This. ADHD can be medicated and trust me, its easier to deal with less of your symptoms than trying to live with them all at once.
I mean, they’re two different things, so I would think a separate diagnosis wouldn’t hurt.
On a side note, my therapist told me that she has never met or worked with a single ASD patient who wasn’t also ADHD, so take from that what you will.
ADHD and ASD are commonly comorbid diagnoses. If you have an ASD diagnosis you are more likely than the average person to also have ADHD, and visa versa.
A good way to see it is ADHD, ASD, and a few other things are on a spectrum together. Various factors drive which features present at a given level and particular patterns are groups together because the are common, but your specific configuration is different to mine. Mine is ADHD with ASD as a more minor but definitely present thing, but my partner is the inverse, much more ASD than ADHD but definitely both.