ADHDAF Episode 24: Dawn's NHS ADHD Assessment Ordeal
On Tuesday 4th October Dawn went for an NHS ADHD Assessment in Aberdeen. We couldn't believe that her long awaited diagnosis day was falling in ADHD Awareness Month, AND on the day we hit 100K downloads!
Suffice to say, this was not the episode we thought we would be putting out!
This is an Episode of two parts. As planned, we wanted to share this very important experience in real time, so began by the pre preparation and feelings the day before the big day to help others awaiting their assessment. Turns out the day was indeed big, but for the wrong reasons!
If you've read the Press and Journal article, you will already know about this ordeal. We are very grateful to journalist Chloe Irvine for the fantastic feature on Dawn, highlighting how very broken the current system is: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/4876867/im-not-sure-ive-got-another-four-months-in-me-to-wait-rgu-students-desperation-for-adhd-diagnosis/
This is NOT what we thought we would be sharing, and certainly not the answers that Dawn had hoped and hung on for. We understand that the underfunded and overstretched NHS is absolutely up against it! The real issue here is the lack of communication. Not laying out the timeline of the process is so incredibly damaging and unforgivable, and Dawn has made a formal complaint.
Whilst Dawn recovers and gathers her strength, as she plans her next move she would like to thank every single one of you who has reached out with messages of support both before and after this horrendous experience. It is your encouragement that is giving her fuel to carry on fighting this battle.
Though we had so wanted to put out a positive message to all of those seeking NHS ADHD diagnosis and treatment, sadly what we have instead is a podcast episode from two women who were not just let down by the system as children; but now who have also been let down by the broken NHS ADHD diagnosis process in their late 30s this ADHD Awareness Month.
Dawn feels that the only positive is that in sharing her ordeal she is raising crucial awareness and letting so many others who are suffering similar know that that they are not alone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
We hope for a better, quicker, more communicative and supportive diagnosis system by next ADHD Awareness Month.
We conclude on a positive note, looking ahead to alternative ADHD diagnosis routes, and announcing the exciting things we have planned this month:
If you follow our socials you will already know that Laura managed to hit her starsign deadline and get the brand new website up on 9th October! LOLS.
We could not be more excited to collaborate with Working Clasp for handmade ADHDAF jewellery and All The Discos for handmade festival style ADHDAF party capes made from recycled party decorations! Check out our amazing new merchandise and website here: https://www.adhdasfemales.com/
We are doing an Intagram Live with Louise 'Pink Pear Bear Williams' on Wednesday 12th October at 8:30pm - we invite you to click this link and 'ask us anything', which we will answer LIVE: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjcgF8DKWKc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Finally we invite you all to join our LEOPARD PRINT ARMY for ADHDAF DAY - Friday 21st October. Wear at least one item of leopard print in a show of solidarity for the cause. We want change! If you do too, join us by tagging us in your pictures, and videos wearing at least one leopard print item. ADHDAFarmy!
Trigger Warning Due to the emotion of this long awaited appointment, this is a very sweary episode. Lots effing, but this is all very raw, having been recorded the day before and day after the ordeal - apologies for swearing like sailors!
Mentions of suicide and severe mental health struggles.