Hi PercivalBlakeney, Thank you for your comment :) I know the feeling! Please remember though that ADHD can co-occur or look similar to a number of other diagnoses (depression, anxiety, autism etc.) and that it's always best to get a differential diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. That way you can make sure you are getting the best help, support and treatments for your unique needs. I wish you all the luck with your journey of self-discovery! Em x
Thanks for an excellent take on this. Fair, but also very firm. And hopefully comforting to many. I went private (via Psychiatry UK, so a shrink who also did NHS) partly because when I decided to seek a diagnosis I wanted it NOW because...I have ADHD (more seriously, so that I knew exactly what I was dealing with, research it to death, and start living a better life asap). But also wanted certainty - no gatekeeper to stress me out by needing to be persuaded to refer me, not having to self-advocate or to wait for years on end. I could just cut to the chase. (Yes, am very aware of my privilege). I'd already wasted the best part of 50 years struggling, and had had enough. The forms took long hours of agony and stress, I sent screeds of background info, and so at the session he could probe the right areas. After 18 months seeing how far I could get under my own steam, went for meds and coaching (both superb). TItration took 3 months to get me to Elvanse 60mg (Concerta disagreed with me), detailed weekly reports, obsessive self-monitoring and analysis. If anyone suggests this was in any way the lazy option...nope. A serious process under the guidance of a serious medical professional. And my GP agreed to shared care within a couple of days, so obviously took him seriously too. All of which is a VERY long-winded way of saying - anyone throwing doubt on my diagnosis gets very short shrift because I know I've worked long and hard to understand every nuance. But many people are going to be freaking out, especially if they're not research obsessives like me or if they're still in the adjustment stage, and my heart truly breaks for them. The thought of being back in all that uncertainty/guilt etc is truly terrifying.
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm in a position where I cannot afford to keep living the way I am and seriously need to consider going private. Thank you for sharing your story. I keep doubting going private, but my life is literally becoming an absolute mess because of it.
As a person with ADHD.. I personally find it infuriating that the guy portrayed someone with ADHD like that. I get that he said he dresses like that all the time… And again that’s totally cool. I’m not the type of person to judge somebody for being different. You do you… But the look of confusion… him intentionally trying to look confused.. I find that infuriating. Don’t get me wrong. I do get confused a lot myself… But I’m under the impression he was trying to make ADHD sound like the equivalent of being delusional and having a low IQ.. i’m not a fan of that at all! It’s one thing to just dress like that all the time… But for him to intentionally try to look confused… It just makes me so mad!
I just got diagnosed with ADHD on the NHS recently. I think it’s devastating that panorama twisted everything and have now caused so many people to question themselves and their diagnosis. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree with you! 💖✨
Thank you for your wonderful comment June - it's great to know that I'm helping to voice other people's concerns about this programme. It's just a shame it's not a very cheerful topic! I really wish you all the best with your diagnosis - do you have a treatment plan in place? If so, how is it going? :) Em x
Thanks to this reporter I can't have my medication after my thorough private diagnosis of ADD and Autism. The reporter obviously has no respect for people who have been suffering their whole life with this problem.
I’m late to the party, but I find this funny. I was diagnosed with ADHD through Clinical Partners, and when it was time to get medication, I had to be re-referred for another assessment on the NHS just to receive treatment. This happened a few months after the documentary aired, and my doctors were skeptical. What amused me was how thorough the Clinical Partners assessment was-they interviewed my partner and two family members, and the assessment itself took two hours. A month later, I received a detailed report from them. In contrast, my NHS diagnosis took only 35 minutes, and I was given medication the same day. I felt that the lack of care from the NHS was shocking, and it’s been a terrible experience since. I wish Clinical Partners could have handled my medication titration. The NHS failed me miserably in terms of assessment and treatment. If I want an appointment with the psychiatrist or even just to ask a question, I have to wait 2-3 weeks for a response. This has been a nightmare while dealing with the side effects of stimulants.
Also, I agree very much with what you said about how some private clinics falsely diagnosed people, or if they have the slightest thing… They see that opportunity to make the quick block. I agree with that 100%. But like you said… It is very unfair to those people who actually suffer from ADHD, and when all these private clinics get exposed and.. when all they advertise his people who claim they’ve been “falsely diagnosed” or how the doctors don’t do enough research… Which again I won’t deny that some doctors falsely diagnose people at private clinics, but again, if that’s all that’s advertised… And when people make it sound like that’s regularly what happens… It makes people who actually have ADHD question it. Which could contribute to a lot of people stopping their medication to see how well they can function without it… And a lot of people end up stopping cold, turkey… Disregarding the withdrawal symptoms that come with that. Plus as a result a lot of people who are concerned that they might have ADHD… Will likely be hesitant about going in to get help in treatment. They’ll just assume “oh it’s just a phase” or “oh I’m just overthinking”… and a life of untreated, ADHD leads to all sorts of problems. Don’t get me wrong it should be addressed if people regularly are wrongfully diagnosed… But that shouldn’t be the only thing that’s acknowledged and brought to the public’s attention! They need to be fair to those who are diagnosed accurately.
11:20 my issue with talking about how "powerful" the drugs are is that we don't talk this way about things like antidepressants. You can get those from a 10 MINUTE consultation with your GP. Sertraline gave my wife tremors so bad I thought she was having a stroke. Her whole body was convulsing and so hard her teeth were chattering. But there's no scandal about SSRIs. Overall I think without proper context there's nothing especially "powerful" about stimulants. This fear comes mainly from drug war propaganda not real medical science. If we call these powerful then we need to do the same for antidepressants, birth control and a whole host of other "normal" medications.
Hi there IshtarNike, This is a really interesting comment - thank you for sharing your views on this. I agree that the adjective 'powerful' is somewhat misleading - most, if not all, drugs prescribed by a doctor could be described as 'powerful' - that is exactly why they are prescribed by qualified doctors. Ay drug that is less powerful or potentially dangerous would be available over the counter. I guess context is important! I understand that methylphenidate is a controlled substance in the UK (Class b) and in many places abroad, but when it is dispensed by qualified individuals to responsible patients then there shouldn't be any additional panic around them. Em x
Exactly. Stimulant meds are portrayed as addictive, but SSRI withdrawal was far more severe ime. GPs are hesitant to take over shared care for ADHD, yet would gladly offer me SSRIs although I rate far lower on depression and anxiety vs ADHD (plus ADHD meds help stop me being anxious or depressed by getting my life together, whereas SSRIs just stopped me from caring about the ongoing repeated failures and struggles).
I didn't interpret his look of confusion as attempting to mimic a cliche of a person with ADHD, but just that he was acting a person who had just, in a matter of minutes, received a shocking, life-changing diagnosis; it helped show how the private psychologist totally ignored this and just quickly cut him off, leaving him alone with all his questions (if he were a real patient).
You hit the nail on the head about most who go for a private consultation already know that it's highly likely they have the symptons of ADHD. The problem indeed does lie with the failing NHS. ADHD sufferers are not regarded as a priority issue, and I can see that, as I've been waiting 5 years to be seen on the NHS. We have no choice but to seek help elsewhere. "Yes" I understand that there will be sharks in the Industry, but there always will be sharks in every facet of life which ever way you turn! Typical BBC though...As long as it fits their own agenda!
The Panorama programme should have been in more depth and balanced yes, but they should have interviewed experts on both sides. Professor Sami Timimi and Professor Gotzsche should be interviewed alongside those experts who believe that ADHD exists and requires medication. Adverse side effects of ADHD meds. should be discussed such as psychosis and hallucinations etc Any benefits of medications need to be mentioned. Whitakers book Anatomy of an Epidemic could be referred to.
How many people have psychosis or hallucinations from stimulant medication? I've met people that experienced this from abusing cocaine/crack or 'research chemicals', but haven't heard experience reports of prescribed stimulants causing this. I'm aware it's listed as a potential side effect, but I wonder what doses were those people on, how frequent is it, and how would high risk individuals be spotted early on?
Hi! I wanted to ask you that, have you ever have experienced difficultites while driving a car? I just asking because the docs suspects me that I have the same problem. I don't if you passed the driving test for the first or second time etc. Have you ever felt that while driving you cannot concentrate ? If you did, this medicine really worked and help defeating that ? I am sorry, I am maybe spectical about medicnines, I just simply want to know experience about driving a car. I was failed my driving exam for sixth times. And I am tired of walking.
Hi there Germankrisztian5736, Thank you for your comment. I have to admit that I passed my driving test the first time I sat it, so I can't say that I found that particularly difficult. I think I really flourish in high-pressure situations such as tests and exams, so that probably helped me focus. When it comes to day-to-day driving, I would say that I am focused enough to be safe, but my partner doesn't think I am a very 'good' driver (whatever that means!). Thankfully, in over 14 years of driving, i have never been in any major car accident, and have only had a very small number of bumps and scrapes (nothing beyond what any neurotypical person would have had!). Driving a car isn't for everyone - don't beat yourself up about it! Why not ride a bike instead? Or lift-share with a friend? I don't know if you have tried driving an automatic car rather than a manual (I know in the US this is common, but in the UK most people still learn to drive with manual gear boxes!), automatic cars might help you stay focused and be easier to manage. I hope this all helps! Thank you again for your comment and support of my channel. Em x
Yes, took me a long time to learn to drive unmedicated. I had a few near misses due to lack of focus. Some medicines were more helpful than others, they did help driving.
Dear Emily, let me comment a bit on your comments regarding the Panorama programme exposing the private clinics for assessing patients for ADHD. First of all, I think this programme was unfair, manipulative and breaching many of the own BBC's guidelines. As you've mentioned at some point, the real problem is that people have to wait even 5 years to get appointment for their assessment because the NHS is unable to do it in a shorter time. Instead of that the reporter, Carson concentrated on selected three private clinics, mostly on the Harley's Psychiatrists in London to prove his pre-cooked narration about poor services in the private clinics in general. You are following this narration in your comments. Firstly, did you think why the first clinic was presented in such a bad light for about 10 minutes, which is one third of the total time of the programme? What do you think was the reason for that? Maybe the ex-employee mentioned by Carson, to whom he was talking on the phone had some reasons to tip Carson about the "wrongdoing" of his/her ex-employer? How can someone explain that Carson had contacts to other former patients who didn't agree to give him an evidence proving his narration? Was the database with the contact phones leaked by someone to Carson? Why only one person (under psychiatric care) supported Carson? Secondly, in 10:44 you say: "the reporter visited three or four private clinics...". It looks that you are not sure how many. Let me help you in this matter, he visited three clinics. Then in 10:58 you say: the first one in particular was terrible. You say Carson got prescription for a very powerful stimulant. I don't know about the medicine he was prescribed, but I listen to the experts who say that the doses he was given are not considered to be powerful. Anyway, it's the domain of psychiatrists to decide. In 11:04 you mention that Carson "had literally 40 mins with a psychologist, not even a psychiatrist". Then you explain the difference between the competences of both of them, and here you are following the narration of the BBC's reporter, which is wrong. Carson was assessed by the psychologist, who contrary to what you say, and Carson said performed only the assessment. The conclusion of the assessment was that Carson fits well criteria for having ADHD. He was informed that a formal diagnosis he would get after consultation with a psychiatrist. Instead, he used the results of his assessment calling it the diagnosis. This is a manipulation and lie. The assessment was done with a computer program widely used, also in NHS assessments, and approved by NICE. So what was the wrongdoing in that? I'd like you also to check the timestamp of the footage from the recording a session with the Harley's psychologist. You can see that the presented conversation has been manipulated (which according to the BBC's guidelines is not allowed), so the context of the interview could've been manipulated by the editor of the programme to mislead viewers. Next let me remark about your comments regarding the qualifications of the assessing staff. You are wrong again in this matter. Any trained for assessing the ADHD personel can perform the assessment. It's nothing wrong in psychologist, nurses or pharmacist to do the assessment if they are qualified for the job. Do you know that they were not qualified? What about the Harley's Psychiatrist psychologist? Carson deliberately didn't call her by her professional title...but you can see from her shown photo on the clinic website that she's the doctor in psychology (PhD). Are you sure she's not qualified enough for the job? Next thing is that you said Carson was assessed in literally 40 mins. As you've noticed the interview as interrupted after 40 mins because the clinic uses a free version of Zoom (limiting the conversation to 40 mins). After the communication was restored there was the second part of the assessment, you agree...so already it must've been longer than 40 mins, don't you agree? Therefore, isn't it a bit unfair to say it was "literally 40 mins"?. Carson says the time it began as 3:30 and ending at 4:23. This makes 53 mins, not 40, not 45! What is a recommended time for assessment? It's between 45 and 90 mins, depending on the case. The psychologist could look more professional, I agree. However, is it enough to call her "wrongdoing"? What was the reason to expose her with her full name, image and address of employment? BBC says in the guidelines that public interest could justify exposing these wrongdoing. So what was that "wrongdoing" that exposed staff of the two of three clinics? Did they steal, cheat or broke the law and were caught redhanded? Why the two nurses had their faces blurred and voices changed? Why the names of the others were pronounced in a non-British manner? Was it to show they all were non-white British background? Isn't it xenophobic (two British nurses were not exposed). What about the public safety for the exposed people. While Carson cares so much about the vulnerable people cheated by private clinics, he, and the BBC does not care about the safety of the people they exposed. Not proving they did anything wrong. Isn't it significant that the programme triggered the highest number of complaints in the last 10 years?
Maybe a nitpick, but the NHS isn't free. If you are working, you are essentially paying mandatory health insurance. We should be getting a service with what we are paying every month: if it affects you enough, you deserve the assessment on the NHS within 18 weeks of referral. That is the social contract of the NI system. I feel like the documentary lacked any detail about patient internal struggles which surely made some people feel a touch marginalised; continuing the stereotype almost. To be honest I think mental health infrastructure in the UK is a joke, public or private with no consistency. Quite poor for the 6th biggest economy in the world. I study pedagogy [teaching] in my free time to understand 'learning skills', so I can regulate focus a bit better... Let's see how that goes~
Hi there YunarinPianoStudio, You are right - I should clarify that by saying 'free at the point of access'. I guess it's just important for me to appreciate here that the NHS is under a lot of strain (thanks to the UK Government...) and that it's a constant balancing act for them to prioritise and service all members of the UK population with differing needs. Whilst we'd love it to be a flawless system which runs as intended, that's becoming increasingly challenging for them given the financial restrictions and increased demand at the moment. Totally agree that it made people with ADHD or suspected ADHD into stereotypes; a real missed opportunity for the BBC to do some proper work on educating people about what ADHD actually is and how it can destroy people's lives, particularly when left untreated. I love that you study pedagogy in your free time to help yourself with your ADHD - as an ex-teacher I also like to use my pedagogic knowledge to enhance my work outputs and learning :) Thanks again for your insightful comment, Em x
Agreed, @@adhdemily Re: stereotypes - paintings with broad brushes tend to look like childrens paintings! Out of curiosity what subject did you teach? I don't teach myself, but I do find it interesting. In particular, I find adult learning to be of interest, how it differs from children
Am I the only one who thinks he might actually have ADHD for real and just thinks it's normal and doesn't understand himself enough. It's a crude metaphor but many gay people end up being extremely antigay because they think that everyone has these feelings and the difference between being gay and straight is a matter of choice. Because for them they chose to ignore their natural urges so they assume it's a choice for everyone. In this case maybe his conviction that he doesn't have ADHD biased his results and impressions on the NHS test. At least 2 of the other private diagnoses seemed legit enough. He just framed them as shitty.
Not yet! my doctor has kept me on 36mg for another two months as my life has been very busy and we probably haven't seen its effects on a normal day-to-day lifestyle for me yet. Maybe in the future? Who knows! We will see how these next two months go.
Clinical Partners - I have a video all about my diagnosis process on my channel called "How I Got My ADHD Diagnosis and How Much It Cost" which should help you out :)
@@adhdemily you know I realized people thought I had “autism” and was trying to be rude. I don’t and never had autism. It gets confused with CPTSD but I still have odd speech issues. Real low skill but just talk with a direct and maybe unclear. Thanks for being nice. I feel a lot of people with cptsd are quietly diagnosed and mistreated by many people.
I didn't need a diagnosis for ADHD to know I've got it, I need a diagnosis to get treatment.
😶
Hi PercivalBlakeney,
Thank you for your comment :) I know the feeling! Please remember though that ADHD can co-occur or look similar to a number of other diagnoses (depression, anxiety, autism etc.) and that it's always best to get a differential diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. That way you can make sure you are getting the best help, support and treatments for your unique needs.
I wish you all the luck with your journey of self-discovery!
Em x
Thanks for an excellent take on this. Fair, but also very firm. And hopefully comforting to many.
I went private (via Psychiatry UK, so a shrink who also did NHS) partly because when I decided to seek a diagnosis I wanted it NOW because...I have ADHD (more seriously, so that I knew exactly what I was dealing with, research it to death, and start living a better life asap). But also wanted certainty - no gatekeeper to stress me out by needing to be persuaded to refer me, not having to self-advocate or to wait for years on end. I could just cut to the chase. (Yes, am very aware of my privilege). I'd already wasted the best part of 50 years struggling, and had had enough.
The forms took long hours of agony and stress, I sent screeds of background info, and so at the session he could probe the right areas. After 18 months seeing how far I could get under my own steam, went for meds and coaching (both superb). TItration took 3 months to get me to Elvanse 60mg (Concerta disagreed with me), detailed weekly reports, obsessive self-monitoring and analysis. If anyone suggests this was in any way the lazy option...nope. A serious process under the guidance of a serious medical professional. And my GP agreed to shared care within a couple of days, so obviously took him seriously too.
All of which is a VERY long-winded way of saying - anyone throwing doubt on my diagnosis gets very short shrift because I know I've worked long and hard to understand every nuance. But many people are going to be freaking out, especially if they're not research obsessives like me or if they're still in the adjustment stage, and my heart truly breaks for them. The thought of being back in all that uncertainty/guilt etc is truly terrifying.
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm in a position where I cannot afford to keep living the way I am and seriously need to consider going private.
Thank you for sharing your story. I keep doubting going private, but my life is literally becoming an absolute mess because of it.
As a person with ADHD.. I personally find it infuriating that the guy portrayed someone with ADHD like that. I get that he said he dresses like that all the time… And again that’s totally cool. I’m not the type of person to judge somebody for being different. You do you… But the look of confusion… him intentionally trying to look confused.. I find that infuriating. Don’t get me wrong. I do get confused a lot myself… But I’m under the impression he was trying to make ADHD sound like the equivalent of being delusional and having a low IQ.. i’m not a fan of that at all! It’s one thing to just dress like that all the time… But for him to intentionally try to look confused… It just makes me so mad!
I just got diagnosed with ADHD on the NHS recently. I think it’s devastating that panorama twisted everything and have now caused so many people to question themselves and their diagnosis. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree with you! 💖✨
Thank you for your wonderful comment June - it's great to know that I'm helping to voice other people's concerns about this programme. It's just a shame it's not a very cheerful topic!
I really wish you all the best with your diagnosis - do you have a treatment plan in place? If so, how is it going? :)
Em x
Thanks to this reporter I can't have my medication after my thorough private diagnosis of ADD and Autism. The reporter obviously has no respect for people who have been suffering their whole life with this problem.
I’m late to the party, but I find this funny. I was diagnosed with ADHD through Clinical Partners, and when it was time to get medication, I had to be re-referred for another assessment on the NHS just to receive treatment. This happened a few months after the documentary aired, and my doctors were skeptical. What amused me was how thorough the Clinical Partners assessment was-they interviewed my partner and two family members, and the assessment itself took two hours. A month later, I received a detailed report from them.
In contrast, my NHS diagnosis took only 35 minutes, and I was given medication the same day. I felt that the lack of care from the NHS was shocking, and it’s been a terrible experience since. I wish Clinical Partners could have handled my medication titration. The NHS failed me miserably in terms of assessment and treatment. If I want an appointment with the psychiatrist or even just to ask a question, I have to wait 2-3 weeks for a response. This has been a nightmare while dealing with the side effects of stimulants.
Also, I agree very much with what you said about how some private clinics falsely diagnosed people, or if they have the slightest thing… They see that opportunity to make the quick block. I agree with that 100%. But like you said… It is very unfair to those people who actually suffer from ADHD, and when all these private clinics get exposed and.. when all they advertise his people who claim they’ve been “falsely diagnosed” or how the doctors don’t do enough research… Which again I won’t deny that some doctors falsely diagnose people at private clinics, but again, if that’s all that’s advertised… And when people make it sound like that’s regularly what happens… It makes people who actually have ADHD question it. Which could contribute to a lot of people stopping their medication to see how well they can function without it… And a lot of people end up stopping cold, turkey… Disregarding the withdrawal symptoms that come with that. Plus as a result a lot of people who are concerned that they might have ADHD… Will likely be hesitant about going in to get help in treatment. They’ll just assume “oh it’s just a phase” or “oh I’m just overthinking”… and a life of untreated, ADHD leads to all sorts of problems. Don’t get me wrong it should be addressed if people regularly are wrongfully diagnosed… But that shouldn’t be the only thing that’s acknowledged and brought to the public’s attention! They need to be fair to those who are diagnosed accurately.
11:20 my issue with talking about how "powerful" the drugs are is that we don't talk this way about things like antidepressants. You can get those from a 10 MINUTE consultation with your GP.
Sertraline gave my wife tremors so bad I thought she was having a stroke. Her whole body was convulsing and so hard her teeth were chattering. But there's no scandal about SSRIs.
Overall I think without proper context there's nothing especially "powerful" about stimulants. This fear comes mainly from drug war propaganda not real medical science. If we call these powerful then we need to do the same for antidepressants, birth control and a whole host of other "normal" medications.
So true
Hi there IshtarNike,
This is a really interesting comment - thank you for sharing your views on this. I agree that the adjective 'powerful' is somewhat misleading - most, if not all, drugs prescribed by a doctor could be described as 'powerful' - that is exactly why they are prescribed by qualified doctors. Ay drug that is less powerful or potentially dangerous would be available over the counter. I guess context is important!
I understand that methylphenidate is a controlled substance in the UK (Class b) and in many places abroad, but when it is dispensed by qualified individuals to responsible patients then there shouldn't be any additional panic around them.
Em x
Exactly. Stimulant meds are portrayed as addictive, but SSRI withdrawal was far more severe ime. GPs are hesitant to take over shared care for ADHD, yet would gladly offer me SSRIs although I rate far lower on depression and anxiety vs ADHD (plus ADHD meds help stop me being anxious or depressed by getting my life together, whereas SSRIs just stopped me from caring about the ongoing repeated failures and struggles).
That is a well thought-out analytic discussion. Thank you. I shall subscribe!
Thank you so much - I'm glad you liked the video! Thanks for the sub :) it means a lot!
I didn't interpret his look of confusion as attempting to mimic a cliche of a person with ADHD, but just that he was acting a person who had just, in a matter of minutes, received a shocking, life-changing diagnosis; it helped show how the private psychologist totally ignored this and just quickly cut him off, leaving him alone with all his questions (if he were a real patient).
You hit the nail on the head about most who go for a private consultation already know that it's highly likely they have the symptons of ADHD.
The problem indeed does lie with the failing NHS. ADHD sufferers are not regarded as a priority issue, and I can see that, as I've been waiting 5 years to be seen on the NHS. We have no choice but to seek help elsewhere. "Yes" I understand that there will be sharks in the Industry, but there always will be sharks in every facet of life which ever way you turn!
Typical BBC though...As long as it fits their own agenda!
The Panorama programme should have been in more depth and balanced yes, but they should have interviewed experts on both sides. Professor Sami Timimi and Professor Gotzsche should be interviewed alongside those experts who believe that ADHD exists and requires medication. Adverse side effects of ADHD meds. should be discussed such as psychosis and hallucinations etc Any benefits of medications need to be mentioned. Whitakers book Anatomy of an Epidemic could be referred to.
How many people have psychosis or hallucinations from stimulant medication? I've met people that experienced this from abusing cocaine/crack or 'research chemicals', but haven't heard experience reports of prescribed stimulants causing this. I'm aware it's listed as a potential side effect, but I wonder what doses were those people on, how frequent is it, and how would high risk individuals be spotted early on?
I wish I didn’t… my clinic was featured and I’m on 3rd tritation dose this year cus they don’t answer emails.
Hi! I wanted to ask you that, have you ever have experienced difficultites while driving a car? I just asking because the docs suspects me that I have the same problem. I don't if you passed the driving test for the first or second time etc.
Have you ever felt that while driving you cannot concentrate ?
If you did, this medicine really worked and help defeating that ?
I am sorry, I am maybe spectical about medicnines, I just simply want to know experience about driving a car.
I was failed my driving exam for sixth times. And I am tired of walking.
Hi there Germankrisztian5736,
Thank you for your comment.
I have to admit that I passed my driving test the first time I sat it, so I can't say that I found that particularly difficult. I think I really flourish in high-pressure situations such as tests and exams, so that probably helped me focus.
When it comes to day-to-day driving, I would say that I am focused enough to be safe, but my partner doesn't think I am a very 'good' driver (whatever that means!). Thankfully, in over 14 years of driving, i have never been in any major car accident, and have only had a very small number of bumps and scrapes (nothing beyond what any neurotypical person would have had!).
Driving a car isn't for everyone - don't beat yourself up about it! Why not ride a bike instead? Or lift-share with a friend? I don't know if you have tried driving an automatic car rather than a manual (I know in the US this is common, but in the UK most people still learn to drive with manual gear boxes!), automatic cars might help you stay focused and be easier to manage.
I hope this all helps! Thank you again for your comment and support of my channel.
Em x
Yes, took me a long time to learn to drive unmedicated. I had a few near misses due to lack of focus. Some medicines were more helpful than others, they did help driving.
Great interesting topic
Thanks! :)
Dear Emily, let me comment a bit on your comments regarding the Panorama programme exposing the private clinics for assessing patients for ADHD. First of all, I think this programme was unfair, manipulative and breaching many of the own BBC's guidelines. As you've mentioned at some point, the real problem is that people have to wait even 5 years to get appointment for their assessment because the NHS is unable to do it in a shorter time. Instead of that the reporter, Carson concentrated on selected three private clinics, mostly on the Harley's Psychiatrists in London to prove his pre-cooked narration about poor services in the private clinics in general. You are following this narration in your comments.
Firstly, did you think why the first clinic was presented in such a bad light for about 10 minutes, which is one third of the total time of the programme? What do you think was the reason for that? Maybe the ex-employee mentioned by Carson, to whom he was talking on the phone had some reasons to tip Carson about the "wrongdoing" of his/her ex-employer? How can someone explain that Carson had contacts to other former patients who didn't agree to give him an evidence proving his narration? Was the database with the contact phones leaked by someone to Carson? Why only one person (under psychiatric care) supported Carson?
Secondly, in 10:44 you say: "the reporter visited three or four private clinics...". It looks that you are not sure how many. Let me help you in this matter, he visited three clinics. Then in 10:58 you say: the first one in particular was terrible. You say Carson got prescription for a very powerful stimulant. I don't know about the medicine he was prescribed, but I listen to the experts who say that the doses he was given are not considered to be powerful. Anyway, it's the domain of psychiatrists to decide. In 11:04 you mention that Carson "had literally 40 mins with a psychologist, not even a psychiatrist". Then you explain the difference between the competences of both of them, and here you are following the narration of the BBC's reporter, which is wrong. Carson was assessed by the psychologist, who contrary to what you say, and Carson said performed only the assessment. The conclusion of the assessment was that Carson fits well criteria for having ADHD. He was informed that a formal diagnosis he would get after consultation with a psychiatrist. Instead, he used the results of his assessment calling it the diagnosis. This is a manipulation and lie. The assessment was done with a computer program widely used, also in NHS assessments, and approved by NICE. So what was the wrongdoing in that? I'd like you also to check the timestamp of the footage from the recording a session with the Harley's psychologist. You can see that the presented conversation has been manipulated (which according to the BBC's guidelines is not allowed), so the context of the interview could've been manipulated by the editor of the programme to mislead viewers.
Next let me remark about your comments regarding the qualifications of the assessing staff. You are wrong again in this matter. Any trained for assessing the ADHD personel can perform the assessment. It's nothing wrong in psychologist, nurses or pharmacist to do the assessment if they are qualified for the job. Do you know that they were not qualified? What about the Harley's Psychiatrist psychologist? Carson deliberately didn't call her by her professional title...but you can see from her shown photo on the clinic website that she's the doctor in psychology (PhD). Are you sure she's not qualified enough for the job?
Next thing is that you said Carson was assessed in literally 40 mins. As you've noticed the interview as interrupted after 40 mins because the clinic uses a free version of Zoom (limiting the conversation to 40 mins). After the communication was restored there was the second part of the assessment, you agree...so already it must've been longer than 40 mins, don't you agree? Therefore, isn't it a bit unfair to say it was "literally 40 mins"?. Carson says the time it began as 3:30 and ending at 4:23. This makes 53 mins, not 40, not 45! What is a recommended time for assessment? It's between 45 and 90 mins, depending on the case.
The psychologist could look more professional, I agree. However, is it enough to call her "wrongdoing"?
What was the reason to expose her with her full name, image and address of employment? BBC says in the guidelines that public interest could justify exposing these wrongdoing. So what was that "wrongdoing" that exposed staff of the two of three clinics? Did they steal, cheat or broke the law and were caught redhanded? Why the two nurses had their faces blurred and voices changed? Why the names of the others were pronounced in a non-British manner? Was it to show they all were non-white British background? Isn't it xenophobic (two British nurses were not exposed). What about the public safety for the exposed people. While Carson cares so much about the vulnerable people cheated by private clinics, he, and the BBC does not care about the safety of the people they exposed. Not proving they did anything wrong. Isn't it significant that the programme triggered the highest number of complaints in the last 10 years?
Maybe a nitpick, but the NHS isn't free. If you are working, you are essentially paying mandatory health insurance. We should be getting a service with what we are paying every month: if it affects you enough, you deserve the assessment on the NHS within 18 weeks of referral. That is the social contract of the NI system.
I feel like the documentary lacked any detail about patient internal struggles which surely made some people feel a touch marginalised; continuing the stereotype almost. To be honest I think mental health infrastructure in the UK is a joke, public or private with no consistency. Quite poor for the 6th biggest economy in the world.
I study pedagogy [teaching] in my free time to understand 'learning skills', so I can regulate focus a bit better... Let's see how that goes~
Hi there YunarinPianoStudio,
You are right - I should clarify that by saying 'free at the point of access'. I guess it's just important for me to appreciate here that the NHS is under a lot of strain (thanks to the UK Government...) and that it's a constant balancing act for them to prioritise and service all members of the UK population with differing needs. Whilst we'd love it to be a flawless system which runs as intended, that's becoming increasingly challenging for them given the financial restrictions and increased demand at the moment.
Totally agree that it made people with ADHD or suspected ADHD into stereotypes; a real missed opportunity for the BBC to do some proper work on educating people about what ADHD actually is and how it can destroy people's lives, particularly when left untreated.
I love that you study pedagogy in your free time to help yourself with your ADHD - as an ex-teacher I also like to use my pedagogic knowledge to enhance my work outputs and learning :)
Thanks again for your insightful comment,
Em x
Agreed, @@adhdemily Re: stereotypes - paintings with broad brushes tend to look like childrens paintings!
Out of curiosity what subject did you teach? I don't teach myself, but I do find it interesting. In particular, I find adult learning to be of interest, how it differs from children
That's a great analogy @@YunarinPianoStudio
I taught English to secondary school and sixth form pupils - quite a few years ago now!
Am I the only one who thinks he might actually have ADHD for real and just thinks it's normal and doesn't understand himself enough. It's a crude metaphor but many gay people end up being extremely antigay because they think that everyone has these feelings and the difference between being gay and straight is a matter of choice. Because for them they chose to ignore their natural urges so they assume it's a choice for everyone. In this case maybe his conviction that he doesn't have ADHD biased his results and impressions on the NHS test. At least 2 of the other private diagnoses seemed legit enough. He just framed them as shitty.
Also are you on 54 MG of Concerta yet?
Not yet! my doctor has kept me on 36mg for another two months as my life has been very busy and we probably haven't seen its effects on a normal day-to-day lifestyle for me yet.
Maybe in the future? Who knows! We will see how these next two months go.
You have a nice voice
Respect x
Out of interest where were you diagnosed - asking for myself x
Clinical Partners - I have a video all about my diagnosis process on my channel called "How I Got My ADHD Diagnosis and How Much It Cost" which should help you out :)
Oh god! He has adhd 😂
Made me chuckle!
@@adhdemily you know I realized people thought I had “autism” and was trying to be rude. I don’t and never had autism. It gets confused with CPTSD but I still have odd speech issues. Real low skill but just talk with a direct and maybe unclear. Thanks for being nice. I feel a lot of people with cptsd are quietly diagnosed and mistreated by many people.