day 1 overview of ADD Assessment

well – today was exhausting!  

I had my first appointment of 3 or 4 for my Adult ADD Assessment and I am exhausted!  I spent at least 1.5 hours just talking with the Psychologist about my educational history, my health history and health currently, my family health history and any other neurological issues in our family.   We also talked a little about the numerous therapists I’ve seen in the past for depression and anxiety and I almost cried when I actually had to list all the medications that I’ve tried in the past (about 10, i believe).  It was sad.  The Psychologist even said that “It looks like you’ve been through the ringer” according to how I answered my mental health history.  Thankfully right now I am not on any meds and I hope to find natural solutions to help me focus, stay depression-free and anxiety free.

Then I went on to another room where various IQ tests were performed for at least 2.5 hours!  Ugh.. I think I did fine, but the verbal math problems – or story problems are always killer for me.  I am a visual person and they wouldn’t let me write anything down.  

Also, they tested me on memory.  The test administrator would read aloud a line of letters and numbers  - up to about 9 total that I had to repeat back putting the numbers first (in order) and then the letters next (in alphabetical order).  I really struggled with those as they reached the 8 and 9 digits!  I think I’ve been having memory problems for about the last two years.  

Then lastly, I sat at a computer and answered 567  true/false questions about myself.  Things like – “I often feel tired” or “I would like to work in construction some day”  - some questions made me chuckle, but I’m sure there’s a reason for them.

Anyway – i’m glad I’m done with the first appointment.  Now I know more of what to expect out of the next few.  

They are going to schedule me for an EEG – which measures brain waves, etc.  They then send it to a neurologist to have it reviewed and back to the office for consideration in many areas such as learning disability, memory, cognitive functioning, etc… 

 

Oh yeah, and they sent me home with more self-assessments and also assessments for my parents and my husband to fill out about me!  It’s interesting to see how he answers some of the questions differently than I did.

So I was there from 10am – 3:25pm today.  Enough for one day I would have to say.  I think i’ll actually sleep well tonight.