This/I do not feel fine, but at least there’s troll coping to fill the void.
Edit: after venting to a friend about this during an anxiety attack, she gave me contact information to an office that was able to schedule me for next month. I feel very fortunate and relieved. I’m also extremely appreciative of not just her, but all of you! This is a wonderfully supportive community, you’re all amazing people
My PCP got me to do an online questionnaire through ADHD Online.
He thought it was quackery until the pandemic essentially forced him to try sending people down that route. He now trusts the results (and finds it way quicker + cheaper than a referral to an in-state specialist). Basically, your questionnaire takes the place of an in-person interview and gets assessed by a doctor in a low-population state. (I think mine was reviewed by a doctor in North Dakota or something.) I think it was about $90 (out of pocket).
Based on that I was diagnosed with ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
I followed up with my PCP, who got me on a low grade antidepressant. I don’t feel depressed or anxious anymore, and it’s helped me turn my ADHD into a superpower. (My brain is still all over the place, but I have the confidence to weaponize it.) I’m definitely one of the lucky ones, but that’s the journey I took.
I had to use ADHD Online too. I was in a waiting list for 8month. At 8months, they called to see if I wanted to keep waiting. I said yes but never heard back, until a friend recommended ADHD Online as well.
Too late for me now lol ive got something booked for mid March at a local mental health center, but hopefully this info can prove helpful for anyone else who finds this thread and doesn’t know there’s a virtual option. I’ll keep this in mind in case I mess up and miss my very fortunate appointment, though!
I’m actually hoping to go the other way with my treatment. For decades I’ve treated my anxiety/depression but never felt like I was getting anywhere with the medications. I’m hoping once I’m evaluated my psychiatrist and I can start working on ways to slow down my overactive thinking.