I am new to this forum - I have only just discovered it, by using Google. I am considering the possibility that I may have AD/HD, and would be interested in getting it diagnosed. I have been reading a lot about the condition recently, and I have many, many traits that tie up with this condition. (I do have hyperactive periods, but they are not excessive.) I am more prone to be the daydreamer type - and have been as far back as I can remember.

The reason for my post is I would like a little feedback about the test for diagnosis, and how much it is likely to cost. (I am pretty sure that it is covered under my insurance plan.)

Many thanks,

Steve

I can't believe that I have had nearly 50 people reading this thread, but not one person has left me any feedback whatsoever. If I am posting this request in the wrong place, could somebody please tell me where to leave the post so that I can get some information about my question.

Many thanks,

Steve

The reason for my post is I would like a little feedback about the test for diagnosis, and how much it is likely to cost. (I am pretty sure that it is covered under my insurance plan.)

First, I would take these two tests.

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/adult.asp

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/brain_system_checklist.asp

Try to answer the questions as best as possible.

If the results lean towards a possible ADD diagnosis, then schedule an appointment with your general doctor. Explain what you have done so far and how you have been feeling for your entire life and most recently. Then ask for a referal for a psychiatrist. They will have more knowledge about ADD than your general practice doctor and they will have the ability to write prescriptions. My psychiatrist was $90 for 15min. out of pocket. I saw him 4 times for about a total of 90min.

Unfortunately, there is not a test that will yes "You have ADD". It is decided mostly on your history. If you can get old report cards and homework assignments, it would help in the diagnosis.

Good luck and keep us posted.

My doctor charges $180/hour, but then I'm in the middle of nowhere -- Wisconsin. As has already been said, they generally go by your personal history. Even if you have tests done, the most weight is given to that history as reported by you and perhaps someone who's known you for quite a while. People with ADD are notoriously poor self-observers, or so I often hear, so your doctor may also want to hear your story from someone else.

There are a number of other conditions that can look an awful lot like AD/HD -- some varieties of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, etc. If you or your doctor feel that it would be worthwhile to do some psychological testing to rule these out (or to check for co-existing conditions which are not unusual with AD/HD) costs vary widely depending on the extent of the testing and where you get it done. It cost me over $1600, and I'm told it would cost about twice that much if I'd had the same tests down in Madison.

If your insurance covers it, it could be worth it. The continuous performance test I took was pretty revealing.

My doctor charges $180/hour, but then I'm in the middle of nowhere -- Wisconsin. As has already been said, they generally go by your personal history. Even if you have tests done, the most weight is given to that history as reported by you and perhaps someone who's known you for quite a while. People with ADD are notoriously poor self-observers, or so I often hear, so your doctor may also want to hear your story from someone else.

There are a number of other conditions that can look an awful lot like AD/HD -- some varieties of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, etc. If you or your doctor feel that it would be worthwhile to do some psychological testing to rule these out (or to check for co-existing conditions which are not unusual with AD/HD) costs vary widely depending on the extent of the testing and where you get it done. It cost me over $1600, and I'm told it would cost about twice that much if I'd had the same tests down in Madison.

If your insurance covers it, it could be worth it. The continuous performance test I took was pretty revealing.
Your doctor charges $180/hr in Wisconsin? Why, is he trying to buy the Packers?

It would cost you about $500 to have the testing done in the Chicago burbs. I just investigated this for myself and thought $500 was steep and was not going to do the testing. (I've never been formally tested and diagnosed so, don't ya think it's about time?)
Anyway, I think $500 is cheap now....and maybe I should do it.
That leaves me $1100 to pay for a 3 day weekend a Lambeau field! :D

I am going to see my doctor for the first time today and my insurance does cover it. As with most insurance plans, though, I have a deductible that hasn't been met yet. For 1/2 hour, I will have to pay $135 out of pocket. Subsequent visits, I will pay $50 until my $200 deductible is met for the year.

there are a battery of tests that assess how you perceive instructions, are able to see a picture and then reproduce it, recall things that you've just learned, etc... individuals with add/adhd show common symptoms in various categories. that's the way to go. get a clinician with experience to assess you with some performance tests and the data will paint a picture that they can go over with you. your history is a big part of general diagnoses, but our memory has a bias dealing with whatever we are currently experiencing in our lives. numerous studies have shown memory to be pretty unreliable and who you are currently will affect how you communicate your past experiences to the point that it's unreliable. objective, performance-based testing will give you and your psyc a pretty good idea of what's going on.