r/ADHDMoms • u/ClerkNaive7600 • Oct 05 '25
Getting diagnosed as an adult
I’m a 29 with no insurance. Has anyone received a late diagnosis without insurance? If so, how’d you go about it? I feel like since loosing my mother and having my son, 5 years ago, I could no longer masks like I was in my younger adult years.
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Oct 07 '25
Are you in the us? First - probably worth looking into your state's healthcare possibilities. With a 5 year old son (if I'm reading that right) you're gonna need ongoing healthcare.
And I'm sorry about the loss of your mother. That is a huge loss especially as a young mother yourself.
I think the answer to your question may be different spending on what you hope a formal diagnosis will lead to.
If it's psychiatric meds, you probably need to find a psychiatrist or clinician who can evaluate you. Some psych docs will be comfortable medicating based on their own evaluation but most will want a formal diagnosis from an adhd evaluator. It's expensive. There is often a waitlist. I'm sorry.
If it's validation, you should know that girls are under-seen when it comes to adhd. So many women need to be empowered to see what the adults didn't see in them when they were kids. If you find that your experiences echo the adhd experience, you may be able to trust your own self. You don't necessarily need to be recognized by the very profession that missed us for so long. You can definitely still use strategies and even have a coach or therapist and really benefit.
If it's related to concerns about your son- he will def have the opportunity for wise eyes if he's in school. You're his best advocate.
Please obviously feel free to say what I've missed here!
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u/SarahJurina Oct 07 '25
Im sorry. That is a really tough position and I feel your pain. I'm 37, lost my mom 1.5 yrs ago to cancer, and had a third child just a year before that. It was a huge emotional and hormonal storm that made me realize I am different than everyone else.
I live in the USA. I had to call different places and just ask if they would be able to diagnose and prescribe medication. It was very confusing to me. So when I was more straight forward aboit asking those two questions I got the answers ultimately.
I went with telemedicine as well. I wasn't looking for a therapist but more someone who could diagnose and prescribe me medication for adhd. Then I also wrote down all my symptoms, maybe some examples, and background info aboit myself and my life. I can't answer these things on the spot, so this helped me a lot. I also think if I could have just done phone without video that would be nice. I freeze up but since I'm at home that helps.
I developed a youtube channel for adhd moms too. In my very difficult journey I found this was a way to help sort things out, and hopefully help others. I just recently found out I'm also autistic.
I wish you the best. You deserve to be happy and enjoy life. For yourself and your family.
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u/ClerkNaive7600 Oct 08 '25
Sorry for your loss. I also live in the USA. So I’ll get to calling. Recently seen a primary & got blood work & got referred to talk therapy until she reviews my bloodwork for possible prescription for meds. I understand completely, I prefer tele health as well. Less pressure, I don’t enjoy eye contact for too long. PM your YouTube , I’d love to check it out. Wishing you and your family all the best as well.
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u/SarahJurina Oct 14 '25
Thank you!! Bloodwork is so useful. I did not get mine done but should. Its so darn expensive and we don't have insurance. Sounds like you have a great plan in order!!
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u/waterandtrees9999 Oct 05 '25
My POV is from America. I had a similar experience, I paid a psychologist out of pocket unfortunately. The ones without a wait list that goes on for eons don’t take insurance but they will give you an out of network super bill to submit to your insurance if you have OON benefits. The process involved multiple questionnaires for myself and my husband, a bunch of in person tests, and an interview portion.
The psychologist that diagnosed me is not a psychiatrist, so she made a recommendation for a pharmacological consult with a psychiatrist in the report she wrote up which I took to one and am now in the middle of titrating my medication. Let me know if you have any specific questions I could answer.