Am I correct in understanding that a regular MD/ general practitioner/ family doctor type of doc can prescribe psychiatric medications?

I'm thinkin' that if I can go to my family doc it might be a lot cheaper for me, especially considering when I go to my psychiatrist she will just ask me what she'd like me to prescribe anyway.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are also able to prescribe psychiatric meds. You would need to find one that has a private practise.

Any medical professional who can prescribe meds can prescribe psychiatric meds. As far as I know, there are no restrictions on any meds other than DEA scheduling. Of course, you won't be able to get Ritalin from your dentist, but you can get ADD meds from your family doctor. :)

However, I feel that seeing a specialist really better serves me. I know my doctor is experienced with psychiatrict meds, because that's all she does. Many GP's, especially those who don't really have much of an interest in psychiatry, probably aren't very experienced with them. All in all, I guess it never hurts to ask your family doc.

I was told by a UK GP,they do not like to,or possibly do not- prescribe medication
at all,for ADHD,instead refer on to pyschiatrists,guess it differs in different countries.

Thanks for the responses, all. That helps. When I first went to my family doc telling him I suspected I had ADD, he didn't know much about it, but gave me the name of someone to go to. I know he doesn't know much about neurology, but it is possible that he might prescribe if I ask him and sound really informed. Or he might have liability concerns about prescribing for conditions he knows little of. I guess it doesn't hurt to contact him and find out. Thanks again for the help.

Thanks for the responses, all. That helps. When I first went to my family doc telling him I suspected I had ADD, he didn't know much about it, but gave me the name of someone to go to. I know he doesn't know much about neurology, but it is possible that he might prescribe if I ask him and sound really informed. Or he might have liability concerns about prescribing for conditions he knows little of. I guess it doesn't hurt to contact him and find out. Thanks again for the help.
I'm completely ignorant when it comes to the international differences in GPs/doctors,
but if they are anything like UK doctors,they won't be specialising in ADHD so you might not be getting the best treatment.

Do you have to pay for a basic GP appointment(without getting any prescription)?
If you do not,it might be worth seeing what they say about it,but then again it might be a waste of time,like I found with the GPs I went to.

Yes, when I go to the GP, I pay a co-pay. These range depending on your insurance, but they are between about 10 and 25 dollars. (To give you an idea if you are unsure of the value of dollars because you are more familiar with pounds, a paperback novel might be $10, whereas the hardbound version might be $25.)

The pdoc I went to before didn't take insurance, so I think it cost something like $100 just to see her. (Although you can get this at least partially reimbursed by your insurance company, depending on what they cover.)

I am not worried about the quality of treatment, honestly. All I want is someone with a prescription pad. When I went to the pdoc, she just asked me what med I thought I might want to go on. I gave her my guess, and she gave me her guess, and I went on her guess. She indicated that she had a couple of other guesses too, in case that one didn't work, but she made it quite apparent that when it comes to psychiatric meds, it's all guess work. The best you can do is make a well-educated guess, and then do some trial and error. I am pretty convinced by now that my guesses are about as good as most doctors, so I'd just rather pay less for the minutes I spend with them and the little slip of paper that allows me to get what I need from the pharmacy.

I go to my GP once a month. I have a $10 copay and then I have a $10 copay on my meds.


Yes, when I go to the GP, I pay a co-pay. These range depending on your insurance, but they are between about 10 and 25 dollars. (To give you an idea if you are unsure of the value of dollars because you are more familiar with pounds, a paperback novel might be $10, whereas the hardbound version might be $25.)

The pdoc I went to before didn't take insurance, so I think it cost something like $100 just to see her. (Although you can get this at least partially reimbursed by your insurance company, depending on what they cover.)

I am not worried about the quality of treatment, honestly. All I want is someone with a prescription pad. When I went to the pdoc, she just asked me what med I thought I might want to go on. I gave her my guess, and she gave me her guess, and I went on her guess. She indicated that she had a couple of other guesses too, in case that one didn't work, but she made it quite apparent that when it comes to psychiatric meds, it's all guess work. The best you can do is make a well-educated guess, and then do some trial and error. I am pretty convinced by now that my guesses are about as good as most doctors, so I'd just rather pay less for the minutes I spend with them and the little slip of paper that allows me to get what I need from the pharmacy.

Okay, while we are on the subject of prescriptions, what about refills? I have to drive to my Psychiatrist's office every time I have my Adderall refilled. So, I'm driving 45 minutes on way every 30 days because he can't call it in to my pharmacy and can't write any refills on the prescription. Is this right?

Also, you're lucky that you only have to pay a $10 copay. That's great. My insurance doesn't cover my Adderall because (A) it's an amphetamine and my husband's employer doesn't want to provide coverage, and (B) ADD medication is not covered if the patient is over 22. Did you know that when you hit 22, your ADD goes away? I'm 36, and mine got WORSE after having the thrid baby. So I'm waiting for it to miraculously go away. Hey, my insurance company says it will!!! :p