To the above question, I don’t know but it sure deserves some attention. There are a lot of adults with ADHD that never got an appropriate diagnosis. There are also a lot of people who have suffered chronic trauma. The symptoms are often similar and it is hard to decipher which is the correct diagnosis. Truthfully it may not matter if we treat the symptoms but patient’s need to be appropriately assessed. This will require some time and questions. Probably more than a 20 minute trip to your PCP.
Does this mean that PCP’s can’t treat or diagnose either, of course not. I consider myself primary care and could treat these conditions BUT..sometimes it takes a few visits or counseling or a trip to a psychiatrist/psychologist to get to the root.
One of my recent patients was on an antidepressant and I asked what she took it for, depression, anxiety, bi-polar? Her response was “I am not sure…depression I guess.” She appeared very nervous and made poor eye contact. Over the course of our visit. I felt like we had the rapport where I could delve a little deeper.
She tells me…
” I just can’t seem to get organized”
“I know what needs to be done but I just can’t get my brain to tell me where to start”
“I find that I avoid places and people”
“When I was a kid I wondered if there was something wrong with me. I had trouble making friends and always had trouble at school.”
“I never had the things I needed in school like paper and pencils”
“My mother did weird things and truthfully I had a terrible childhood.”
The list went on and on but she definitely has signs and symptoms of multiple things. My heart broke for her. I tried to reflect back to her what I saw and give my own perspective.
” did you find your struggle with organization made you feel overwhelmed?” “did it cause you to feel sad or depressed?” ” did those feelings cause you to avoid others?”
Her father was abusive and mother was most likely mentally ill. She has never had anyone ask her questions about her depression or past history. She has been on an anti-depressant for years yet has never had counseling or a thorough assessment.
She agreed to talk with her Dr. about getting a referral for a psychologist or psychiatrist and was open to counseling. It will take awhile to sort it all out but I told her I thought her life could definitely improve.
I could tell she felt heard and less burdened.
When we work with humans we need to recognize the possibility, high possibility, that there has been some form of trauma and that this effects our development, well being and health.
*my beautiful son and grandson.
Unapologetically Pretty 