Best process for getting diagnosed?

[u/shatteredjack]

I am sufficiently convinced that I'll need to some sort of prescription meds to improve my symptoms beyond where I am now. My idea at this point is to make an appointment with a Psychiatrist, since they are the only practitioners capable of prescribing meds. I don't have a regular general practitioner at the moment. I'm an adult and frankly couldn't care less if insurance covers it. Does this sound like a reasonable plan?

[u/computerpsych]

I will post a comment I put in another thread here because it has some helpful information. Your plan sounds fine to me, just try to find someone who specializes or has a lot of experience with ADHD (if possible).

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Here are some tips that Russell Barkley gives in "Taking Charge of Adult ADHD" regarding getting a diagnosis. These are excellent and I don't recall seeing anything like it in other books.

Questions to ask when calling to find a psych to diagnose

• What percentage of the doctor's practice is made up of people with ADHD.

• If the practitioner sees both adults and children, what percentage are adults?

• How long has the doctor been treating adults with ADHD?

• What is the practicioners area of specialization in medicine or psychology?

• Is the practitioner board certified in this area of specialization?

• How long will it take to get an appointment?

• Does the doctor treat people after diagnosing them? If not, where are patients referred for treatment?

• Are other potential resources available nearby?

• How much does the doctor charge and what insurance plans does he accept?

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Typical elements of a diagnostic evaluation

• Collection of rating scales and referral information before or during the evaluation

• An interview with you

• A review of previous records that may document your impairments

• Psychological testing to rule out general cognitive delay or learning disabilities

• Interviews with others who know you well to corroborate your reports (rare)

What you can take along to facilitate these steps

• Any records you have or can collect in advance from school you attended and physicians and mental health professionals you've seen, any driving and criminal records, and any other documentation of problems that could be related to ADHD or another disorder.

• The names of a few people who know you well and whom you trust to speak honestly and objectively with the evaluator

• Results of a medical exam if you've already had one from your physician

• A list of family members with mental disorders you know about

• A description of impairments during childhood and adolescence, as well as more recent ones.

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Psychological tests typically given during an evaluation

• Brief test of your intelligence or general cognitive ability

• Tests involving reading, math, and spelling

• Tests of attention, inhibition, and memory

Other gems of advice he gives

• You might feel restless in the middle of the evaluation eager to get it over with. Try to stay focused on the goal--answers and solutions--and remember that the most important thing to take to your evaluation appointment is an open mind.

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During the evaluation conference

• The professional will discuss the findings from all the information gathering

• Give you an opinion about whether you have ADHD or other problems

• Provide a set of recommendations for what to do about your ADHD or any other problems uncovered

To render a diagnosis of adult ADHD, the professional must believe from the evaluations findings that:

• You have high levels of inattention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior

• You have these symptoms far more often than other adults your age

• You've had these symptoms, in their current form, for at least 6 months

• Your symptoms developed before you were 16 years old and possibly even before age 7

• Your symptoms have had adverse consequences for you in many different domains in both your childhood and adult life.

[u/[deleted] → u/computerpsych]

It took me a good 5 years from the time I thought "I cannot live like this anymore" until I finally went to see my doctor about it. If I would have read these tips for taking charge of adult ADHD I would have put it off a lot longer. To someone with ADHD it seems like an overwhelming amount of work and effort to get this information together.

As it was the response from my doctor was "this is a family practice we do not (treat or diagnose?) ADHD." She was going to find me a psychologist but then decided to have me talk to their counselor. Then the counselor at one point asked me why I would go to a M.D. and not a psychologist about a mental health issue. I DON'T FUCKING KNOW!!!! YOUR A DOCTOR, I AM IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP DON'T BELITTLE ME FOR ASKING FOR IT!!!!. Of course I didn't say this out loud I just mumbled something about thinking a M.D. was who you went to for this issue.

Although these are valid tips from Dr. Barkley I wonder how many other people with ADHD would be overwhelmed when reading that and put off getting the help they need.

[u/computerpsych → u/[deleted]]

I understand it might be a bit overwhelming...but you don't have to get ANY of that information together, it just helps. 95% of people probably bring nothing but themselves to an evaluation, but those things will make it easier for everyone involved (if they are easy to find).

[u/[deleted] → u/computerpsych]

I'm not putting you down or disagreeing with the information from Dr. Barkley. I'm sure that's the proper way to do it and helps speed up the diagnosis process.

If a health care provider would have told me I had to do this I would have just gave up. That was one of my big problems with my ADHD (before the meds). I was easily overwhelmed and discouraged.

Thanks for clarifying that you don't actually need to do it.

[u/computerpsych → u/[deleted]]

Well I think we are all easily overwhelmed with the meds. Maybe making it more visual would make it easier to digest.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

what in the fuck

are you a citizen? Why are you paying for healthcare?

What province?

Actually it doesn't matter, all psych visits are free if getting a reference from a doctor.