What can I do about my psychiatrist who says adults don't have ADHD?

I know I have it because I fit all the DSM IV criteria and I have a classic ADHD lifestyle and work/education history, but my psychiatrist is treating me for Bipolar Disorder even though my symptoms persist. What can I do? p.s. Adults do have ADHD and there is an Adult ADHD clinic in Cambridge, UK, where I live.

CHANGE YOUR DOCTOR/PSYCHIATRIST. does he/she think that children with adhd suddenly reach a certain age and it dissapears? if only.
Im 39 and i have adhd though it wasnt diagnosed till i reached adulthood,though in ur shrinks defence a lot of symptoms of bipolar,aspergers,mild autism adhd etc do overlap with each other and a firm diagnosis isnt always easy to make.
I live in rotherham and the shrink i see specialises in adhd in children and adults.
Get in touch with the adhd clinic u mention and ask for their advice and remember adhd is for life,not just for xmas lol.
Though it can be treated/ eased substantialy with the use of medication,lifestyle and dietary changes.
good luck.

Hi Hasan D -

Sorry to hear about the predicament you are in with your psychiatrist. The best answer (if you are unhappy) would be to get a second opinion, and certainly to find a different psychiatrist. As others have mentioned, adults absolutely can / do have ADHD.

Do you know why your psychiatrist has chosen to treat you for bipolar disorder? I am curious because it is rather possible that the two can be confused, because the symptoms can often overlap, especially because ADHD (hyperactivity for example) with bouts of depression might (just maybe) look like bipolar disorder.

That could be a stretch, but it's an example of why / how the two can be confused.

Quite honestly, no matter what is going on, I would absolutely suggest you find another doctor. That's just absurd to be told it doesn't exist.

Hope this helps.

Rory

Rory F. Stern, PsyD
ADHD Coach & "Former" Therapist
http://www.ADHDSuccessAudio.com

As with any disorder, a second opinion is always a good way to get more information, and sometimes even a third opinion can be in helpful. An ADHD clinic would be a good place to find out more, to see if you match the ADHD symptoms, as you have stated. One thing you might investigate is how things like foods affect you. When my son was young, certain foods would affect his behaviors, to some extent. I discovered this by reading a book, called: "Allergies and the Hyperactive Child", by Dr. Doris Rapp. Although this book has the word 'child' in it, the book is equally relevant for adults, as well as children. I would highly suggest you go online to find a used copy of it and read it, cover-to-cover. You may find some very interesting information which may help you sort a few of the details out. Good luck with your situation and adults DO suffer from ADHD, just as children do. They may just mask it, at times, or show it in slightly different manners.

You don't say much about your history, but I can tell you that I meet all the criteria for it. Unfortunately, some personality disorders match it totally. I have that disorder. However, if you treat the symptoms and get results, it really doesn't matter what your "label" is.

Print out some research studies on adult ADD.

Here's a link to a review article on the pharmacotherapy of adult ADD:
http://www.psychopharmacology.com/pt/re/...

If you could find a Web site with the DSM-IV criteria for adult ADD, that would also be helpful (I can't seem to find one, though).

Ask to see someone else if you are not happy with the diagnosis and treatment. If they give you the same answer, I guess you will have to accept the expert's diagnosis. If you think you know what's wrong with you and you know the treatment, why don't you sort it out yourself?

Adults do have ADHD but it can be frequently confused with Bipolar. Before I was diagnosed with bipolar we thought I miight be ADHD (like my son is) except my hyperness was cyclic and my son's was constant. Medication for ADHD would make bipolar worse......

Is the current treatment program you are on working? If so, I'd stick with it.

If it's not and your doctor just doesn't seem to listen then find another psychiatrist. We've been through 4 different ones with my husband until we found one who is just wonderful!

ADHD doesn't exist, its human characteristics. ADHD is just a personality thing. There is no scientific proof that it exists. There is no ADHD

See another psychiatrist for a second opinion.

Get a competent psychiatrist.

Find a new doctor.