First, the emotional problems of a 9 year old aren't the equivalent of adult depression. If you had ADHD -- and I say if because this is a very controversial subject in mental health, being way overdiagnosed -- but the ODD goes along with it. Did you get treatment for these things when you were 9? Did it work? You also say borderline traits, but you don't explain which borderline traits. That term can mean different things, but it usually refers to having, say, symptoms that are similar to bipolar without being bipolar. But you don't say, so we can't know. You've seen lots of the specialists who know depression when they see it, and they haven't seen it. If you'd only seen one, well, most of them are like anyone else, not that great at what they do, but if you've seen several, well, that's a lot of agreement. SAD is pretty easy to diagnose, because it only occurs in the winter generally. Are only sad when it's dark out? Now, no blood check can tell you a whole lot if the doc isn't looking for a whole lot -- thyroid problems, for example, are almost never properly checked by docs, they don't look for the right things. But you say you've told they might never know if you have depression or anxiety, and if you've been told that, that part of it is nonsense. Just because you have ADHD doesn't mean you don't also suffer from anxiety or depression or both. You know you have it because it you feel sad all the time or you think anxious thoughts much of the time and avoid things. It's a disease of thinking. If it lasts a long time, you have it. The question of the cause is a tougher thing to handle -- again, lots of physiological problems can cause anxiety and depression. You have been diagnosed with two conditions you've listed that can lead to getting anxiety and depression if they are not successfully treated. So let me ask you, what have you tried so far to beat this? What treatment have your doctors tried? Without knowing that, it's very hard for anyone on here to know what's happened and where you might go next.
Boy, you've been through the ringer. And it sounds like you were let down by the mental health system. What was the reason for entering the psych hospital if not depression? Was it a public hospital? Very strange that they had you there, had you undergo therapy and yet are not diagnosing you with depression.
My son did occupational therapy for six years and it was helpful for him but not sure if it is appropriate for what you deal with. He found himself very overwhelmed by his environment and like his insides were just chaotic in that he could not sit still, couldn't think clearly, etc. Occupational therapy for him taught him coping mechanisms and exercises to make it better. But he has sensory issues and you might not. Does seem like an odd specialty for you to be seeing given all of the things you have been through.
Hold old are you if you don't mind me asking? Have you ever been to strictly a psychiatrist that is in private practice? I am assuming you have but just wanted to confirm. It's difficult to do much if your medical team is not being helpful or cooperative. I really feel for you.
I'm sorry to hear about the OD. The thing that is maddening is that your doctor doesn't get that if you OD'd you were likely self medicating. Addiction is so tied to self medicating for underlying mental health problems. Not calling you an addict but the OD'ing part means you were using. What did you OD on?
It stinks your doctor has put off seeing you until later in November. Make a full list of what you NEED him to know so that you can get adequate care. It sounds like your system has had a lot of red tape and they messed a few things up in your situation.
Interesting that they are testing you for sensory. It can be very overwhelming for people if they have sensory integration issues and aren't aware to do any coping strategies to deal with it. It causes immense anxiety in my son. It affects him in a lot of ways. And sensory integration disorder is adhd's cousin. Both neurological in nature and have some similar components. People can have both at the same time too. Sensory isn't something you take medication for though. You know what helps regular sensory symptoms? What OT's call 'heavy work' which is deep pressure of the muscles and muscle work. Carrying something heavy, pulling on limbs, swinging, lifting weights, doing push ups or wall push ups, etc. I have a long list of things that help my son tremendously. But he also has coping strategies to deal too when he is unregulated.
Anyway, again, we are here to listen and to help sweetie!
I find it pretty amazing you had a suicide overdose but you aren't diagnosed with depression. What was the trigger for the suicide attempt?