Wow, I definately went into the wrong line of work. All I want is a full mental health checkup...I could probable take a vacation for what I am going to pay just for the diagnosys! I shoulda taken the drugs and ran.

No kidding, HIXX! It's nuts how spendy is can be, but at the same time, well worth it.

Welcome to ADD forums!

Ahem, mine charges $220 for a 30 minute session, I believe. :eek: Fortunately I only end up having to cough up $100. And I've seen no proof thus far that it's worth it. I paid who knows how much to take the TOVA test and the MMPI, and it was a COMPLETE waste of money. The TOVA test came back invalid because I showed "anticipatory" tendencies near the end. Waste!!

I get the feeling ADD is a catch all. If you're at all symptomatic of it, you've got it, not something else that may have similar symptoms.

I *know* I have it, I don't need an MMPI to tell me. When I read the list of the symptoms every one of them is a yes, and a BIG yes not a maybe. It's like reading an exact description of every problem that has plagued me throughout life.
I guess if I ever decide to try traditional meds though, I'll have to go through all that. Right now it looks like I could not afford it.

Well luckily insurance covers my office visits so I only pay a 15.00 co-pay but man its wasted time. My doc knows very little about ADHD and just threw me on Strattera after asking like 3 questions. She means well but i dont feel like i'm getting what i need when i see her. It would be nice to find a doc who is a little more knowlegable about ADHD and knew the right questions to ask.

I'd say my psychiatrist is qualified. With all the degrees he has, he should be! The problem is, as I said, it's almost as if rather than making a greater effort to determine what's going on, a diagnosis of ADD is arrived at to simplify things.

I just get the impression it's a catch-all, as I said. It may be my problem, but I don't know.. The medications I've taken haven't really helped - Adderall, Concerta (made me feel like an idiot), Ritalin LA, and Ritalin.

I'm currently taking 20 mg of Ritalin LA in the morning followed by 10mg doses of Ritalin throughout the day. On top of that, I'm taking Prozac to help with irritability. The Ritalin LA does nothing, and the Ritalin sets in about 45 minutes after taking it and wears off about an hour after that, followed by a fairly intense feeling of anxiety, which I hate. Any other suggestions? I've read Dexedrine and Welbutrin can be a good combination? Any comments on that? I'm looking for something with more lasting power - I don't want to have to take 3 or 4 doses of Ritalin throughout the course of the day. The Prozac isn't really doing anything for me. Then again, I've tried Lexapro and Effexor, as well, with no luck.


Thanks,
Michael

The doc and I had agreed on the meds when I had decided to go to the specialist. I figurte while I am going though this humbling process I might as well get the full picture. Although, at 160 hr min of 3 hrs for the testing the only picture I am seeing is the Specialist laughing all the way to the bank

Here's how I see it. If I were willing to do 3-5 years of graduate work (either MD or PhD), plus clinical residency, plus possible postgraduate fellowships, I'd feel perfectly justified charging $160/hour for my services. After all, I could go to law school and start working after 3 years instead.

Our p-doc charged $200 for a 40 min session, and $150 for a ten minute med check, which we have to have once a month. The therapists charge $125 for 50 minutes.
Thank goodness we have insurance!
Jazz