Danielle Elliott

I happen to know there's a free screener available online from the World Health Organization, the same screener my therapist suggested I use. I mentioned this to Parker.

I happen to know there's a free screener available online from the World Health Organization, the same screener my therapist suggested I use. I mentioned this to Parker.

Parker scrolled through her Gmail history to find the name of the organization that issued her test.

Parker scrolled through her Gmail history to find the name of the organization that issued her test.

As far as ADHD online was concerned, the results were conclusive. Oh, yeah, girl, you got ADHD. You have ADHD inattentive. Parker looked into what exactly inattentive ADHD entailed and what she learned tracked with her own life experience, especially when she read about the ways people with ADHD are able to hyper-focus.

As far as ADHD online was concerned, the results were conclusive. Oh, yeah, girl, you got ADHD. You have ADHD inattentive. Parker looked into what exactly inattentive ADHD entailed and what she learned tracked with her own life experience, especially when she read about the ways people with ADHD are able to hyper-focus.

She took the test in November 2020. Parker sought out a psychiatrist who understood ADHD and could prescribe medications. That's when things got complicated. Her therapist gave her a list of names, but even with her existing health insurance coverage, the cost would be steep.

She took the test in November 2020. Parker sought out a psychiatrist who understood ADHD and could prescribe medications. That's when things got complicated. Her therapist gave her a list of names, but even with her existing health insurance coverage, the cost would be steep.

A little over a year later, in 2022, Parker was thinking about leaving her job. That meant she was going to lose her health insurance. As everyone with ADHD knows, external motivation helps us do things. Knowing she might soon be without healthcare coverage drove Parker to finally address her ADHD. She found a psychiatrist, but he was located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

A little over a year later, in 2022, Parker was thinking about leaving her job. That meant she was going to lose her health insurance. As everyone with ADHD knows, external motivation helps us do things. Knowing she might soon be without healthcare coverage drove Parker to finally address her ADHD. She found a psychiatrist, but he was located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Like me, Parker begrudgingly went ahead and booked a telehealth appointment. It was hardly her ideal situation.

Like me, Parker begrudgingly went ahead and booked a telehealth appointment. It was hardly her ideal situation.

I felt the same way when I talked to a psychiatrist for the first time, also in early 2022. Neither of us knew at the time that this was really odd for a few reasons. I mean, it felt odd because it was odd. But it was also strange because, until the pandemic, this wasn't allowed. There were strict rules around prescribing stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin.

I felt the same way when I talked to a psychiatrist for the first time, also in early 2022. Neither of us knew at the time that this was really odd for a few reasons. I mean, it felt odd because it was odd. But it was also strange because, until the pandemic, this wasn't allowed. There were strict rules around prescribing stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin.

They could not be prescribed via telehealth. I'm not sure I would have gotten very far in the process if I'd had to wait for an in-person appointment. I haven't had an annual physical in years because I never get around to scheduling them. So even though the appointments could be awkward, telehealth made it easier. This is another reason for the rise in diagnosis.

They could not be prescribed via telehealth. I'm not sure I would have gotten very far in the process if I'd had to wait for an in-person appointment. I haven't had an annual physical in years because I never get around to scheduling them. So even though the appointments could be awkward, telehealth made it easier. This is another reason for the rise in diagnosis.

In the simplest terms, getting diagnosed got easier. That, of course, led to questions about our diagnosis. And we'll get back to those, I promise. But first, I want you to hear about Parker's bizarre video call and what happened after. Remember, it was early 2022, and she was working from home, waiting for her 7.30 appointment with the King of Prussia guy.

In the simplest terms, getting diagnosed got easier. That, of course, led to questions about our diagnosis. And we'll get back to those, I promise. But first, I want you to hear about Parker's bizarre video call and what happened after. Remember, it was early 2022, and she was working from home, waiting for her 7.30 appointment with the King of Prussia guy.

Parker was worried that the doctor might suspect her of trying to get her hands on prescription meds.

Parker was worried that the doctor might suspect her of trying to get her hands on prescription meds.