Starting the DX process - ADD? Low blood iron? Depression? Onward!

[beandelphiki]

So I finally got to see a doctor on Tuesday, and I brought up the ADD issue. She decided to put off a basic checkup and talk about that instead.

(I don't know why I'm surprised that Dr. H took me seriously, since she has always taken me VERY seriously before.)

I brought a folder of stuff: my symptom list, which now has undergone many revisions, and the results of my Amen Clinic tests (which she didn't even bother looking at.)

She did read my symptom list though, and said, "Oh, yes!" several times. She also doesn't seem too particularly concerned about the fact that I've always gotten high grades. She asked me how long this has been an issue, and I said, "Oh, forever." So she wondered if it had ever been brought up before in her office, which I sincerely doubt.

In fact, I specifically avoided talking about these issues any time in the past several years that I've had a chance to, given that I didn't want to end up discussing my character flaws with a doctor - however kind that doctor might be. (And Dr. Miles, for one, was never very kind.)

So she's arranged for me to get a SHITLOAD of bloodwork and other tests done. Man, I hate getting blood taken, especially when I haven't eaten for 12 hours. *sighs* I usually faint right onto my face.

She also gave me a 2 page questionnaire to take home - the Beck Scale, for depression. I was surprised she gave me that instead of something for ADHD, but maybe she didn't have a scale for the latter. Also, she had probed my mood situation, and it's true that I mentioned that I've been battling a low mood for the past few years.

I don't, however, think I'm depressed.

My score on the Beck Scale is 14, putting me in the "Mild-Moderate Depression" range. Just great. The LAST fucking thing I want to be on is an SSRI! My family reacts badly to them. So I'll be sure to mention that if it comes up.

Issue: What the hell do I put for the questions about concentration, anyway? There seems to be an assumption that this scale makes, that you used to work well if you concentrate poorly now.

*frustrated noise*

And I have to go back to the doctor's in a week for...some sort of follow-up.

So at least things are getting done. I'm so impatient, because this is about the fastest anything could conceivably be happening, but I'm falling farther and farther behind at school in the meantime. This semester is so ramped-up from the last one, I'm absolutely drowning, and may end up going from a 3.75 GPA to a flunk if I can't pull something together soon.


Final note: Dr. H told me that it would be important to get me some counseling, meds, something if I'm depressed. She said college is very difficult if you're scattered (no kidding), and that while I may be "very hardy," I've been through a lot, and I need to learn that it's okay to take care of myself instead of barreling through.

It was nice to get a confirmation that someone thinks I'm strong-willed.

Comments

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

diagnoses can be a wonderful and terrible thing at the same time.

-side note, I originally wrote that dieagnoses lol

They do help, and they do hurt.

You're on the right track though when you're thinking that they won't change who you are as a person.

I hope things get resolved for you quickly and that the end result is something that helps you.