A Psychologist Explains How The ADHD Mom Can Advocate For Herself: Part 1

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In this episode, we cover:

1. The diagnosis process can be fraught. Dr. Richey says that you do NOT need a diagnosis to start giving yourself love and compassion. You don't need a label to understand yourself.
2. The DSM is very limited, and is inadequate when it comes to diagnosing women and girls as well as the BIPOC community.
3. Dr. Richey breaks down the difference between screening and testing, and outlines the different types of practitioners who provide diagnosis. Understanding WHY you are seeking a diagnosis is an important part of choosing the correct path for you.
4. We learn the term "Good girl zone" and how it starts with little girls who can't pay attention in class but pretend they are so they don't get in trouble.
5. "You are neurodivergent, and that's okay. You don't have to do that." Dr. Richey gives us the permission to function differently that we didn't get in childhood. In fact, not only can we be okay, we can be better than ok.
6. Dr. Richey tells us how to prepare for an ADHD evaluation in terms of what to do ahead of time, what to bring, and what to expect.

In part one of our incredible conversation with Dr. Rebecca Richey, Psy.D, MBA, LC, SW, MS, CP, CAC-III, who serves as the clinical director for Colorado Women's Collaborative Healthcare, we discuss the complicated process of getting an ADHD diagnosis. She covers the different types of practitioners available, the different options for evaluation, and the obstacles to getting diagnosed, including flaws in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) that make women and the BIPOC community more likely to fall through the cracks. She sheds light on what happens when girls are not properly diagnosed with ADHD.
Follow Dr. Richey here:
https://cowomenscare.com/
Download the ADHD Mom Meditation Here:
https://www.motherplusser.com/ADHD-meditation
Here are the abbreviated notes from Dr. Richey (if you want the whole notes page, email me at [e-mail] and I will send them to you):

• Screening vs. testing—any self-completed forms that ask about symptoms is a screener. Doing a self-eval and talking to a professional for a while is a screener or an enhanced screener.
• Testing/psychological assessment—more in-depth and uses objective measures (vs. subjective). Objective measures being cognitive testing, continuous performance testing, memory testing, executive functioning, collaborative info.
• Whether you get a screener or an assessment depends on what you want...
  • If you think you have ADHD and want to try medication, a screening with a PCP or psychiatrist is in line.
  • If you want treatment that doesn’t involve medication, a screening with a master’s level clinician is great.

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