HI, I'm new to the forums and very glad I found them. I have dealt with many of the inattentive ADHD problems all throughout my life, but have always believed that it wasn't worth trying to get diagnosed, at least until now. I have always had trouble in school with focusing and trying to finish projects. Also, reading is unbelievably hard for me, I have to read a passage at least 5 times to actually comprehend it, I am always jumping around. I recently transferred from community college (which wasn't too bad) to a 4 year university. I am 20 years old and really want to go to law school, but I am having a very hard time in this school. I finally realized it was time to see a doc and get diagnosed. I went thru the school mental health services and they gave me an outside referall to a psychiatrist. I went and saw him, but he said since i can't rememeber specifically what problems I faced in my adolescent years, and since I was not bouncing all over the walls in his office during the visit, I was fine. But the thing that really got me is that he said I do show many of the symptoms of innattentive ADHD, but he does not believe in it. He says that since we live in LA, that everyone here believes they have it and it is just a trend. Instead, he told me I have a slight case of depression, which he gave me Welbutrin for, but I can't stand the way it is making me feel. Do you think I should get a second opinion? I got pretty angry when he told me that I had many of the symptoms, but since it is just a trend and not a real problem that he believes in, he won't do anything about it. I called my insurance company to try to find a doctor in the LA area that tests for ADHD and ADD, but they only gave me the names of Psychologists. I am not sure what the difference is. All replies are greatly appreciated.
Oh yeah, here are my symptoms which lead me to believe its inattentive ADHD: chronic fatigue/tiredness/low energy, forgetful (always misplacing pencils, books, wallet, and keys), very easily distracted, can't focus (especially while reading and doing homework), very hard to finish projects and work.

ADHD is the world's most widely researched childhood disorder.

As of the Summer of 2003, there were over 6K's worth of research articles, professional papers, books,chapters in books, etc., on ADHD being "real."

If you were to go to Russ Barkley's website www.russellbarkley.org or www.chadd.org either one of those would have a link to a journal article entitled "International Consensus 2002."

That is THE definitive article on the exisitence of ADHD as a real disorder.

It also contains THE gold standard operational definition of what constitutes a disorder ( any disorder, not just ADHD).

It's signed off on by over 80 of the world's leading scientist and has 19 + pages of references.

In the article, which I'm paraphrasing now, it lists that ADHD is recognized as a disorder/medical condition by :

1) The American Medical Association;
2) The American Psychiatric Association;
3) The American Academy of Pediatrics;
4) The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
5) The American Psychological Association.

I can also tell you that it's recognized by the World Health Organization as well.

The first research study on what we now call ADHD was conducted in 1902, by London pediatrician George Still.

In it, he coined the term "volitional inhibition" to describe the children he was studying.

Today, one of the most prominent theories postulates the ADHD is a disorder of inhibition & self-regulation/ self-control, as well as working memory.

By now, there should be well over 7 K's worth of research ALL supporting ADHD as a real disorder.

The number of articles refuting that = O.

There's no excuse for a medical professional to not do the basic homework to keep abreast of their field; not to mention their own association's stance on the matter.

Now THAT is LAZY.:)

tc
mctavish23 (Robert)

If he said he does not believe in ADHD-I but you show many of the symptoms, I would definitely get a second opinion. I think you already did this, but I would ask to see someone who specializes in ADHD, they would be more likely to confirm your suspicions or rule it out. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication, a psychiatrist can. I think most psychologists have a working relationship with a psychiatrist who can prescribe. If not, your psychologist can have your primary care physician write one for you.

Also, if you are having a hard time remembering your symptoms when you go to the Dr., in Women With Attention Deficit Disorder (which focuses on the inattentive type) Sari Solden recommends writing your symptoms down so that way it can jog your memory and give your Dr. more details to go off on.

Good luck!

thanks for the replies, I think I am gonna go ahead and get a second opinion, especially now that I have LSAT's coming up. And chloe, trying to remeber the symptoms during the meeting was a big problem for me.
Thanks for the help
Kyle

Your Insurance Company is correct.

You must get Testing by a Psychologist to "prove ADD".

The "Tests" are like games.

You will need the Test Paperwork in order to get in to a real ADD Doctor anyway.

Have you contacted large LA hospitals with good reputations about ADHD Clinics??

Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre has an Adult ADHD Clinic. Their phone # is (310) 423-3411. I found it on GOOGLE. http://www.csmc.edu/1668.html Their website says they do Assessments, so they must have Testing Psychologists.

And when you get diagnosed, i sure as heck hope you call the Medical License Board of California on that Turkey you saw. His apparent lack of Core Competencies are frightening.

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/

They need to give that man some updated training (Continuing Medical Education [CME] Credits) in Adult Psychiatry. The Medical License Board can force him to do it. What if you had been so depressed (by ADHD) that you commited suicide? This is really serious.

He is obviously not keeping up-to-date! Adult Psychiatrists have been acknowledging the existence of Adults ADHD for at least 10+
years now.

Emma
:)

My insurance company gave me three psychologists to choose from, all at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric hospital. I am going to call tomorrow to try and set up an appointment for as soon as possible. Also, I have taken some of the online tests, such as Dr. Amen's, and even though it is rather generalized and susceptible to error and false information, would it be beneficial to print these out and brin them with me when I go see the psychologist? And as for the other psych, I am still pretty upset and will really think about submitting his name to that organization, but I think a big part of it was his age (immaturity?). I know that may sound bad, but he barely looked older than me and probably doesn't have the experience to determine what is ADHD and what is not.
Thanks again for the help

I am still pretty upset and will really think about submitting his name to that organization, but I think a big part of it was his age (immaturity?). I know that may sound bad, but he barely looked older than me and probably doesn't have the experience to determine what is ADHD and what is not.
Thanks again for the help
All the better for him to learn now! You may be saving thousands of people from going through what you have gone through.

thanks again for the support. I finally contacted a psychologist today who actually does ADHD diagnosing AND takes my insurance. That was a job in itself. Anyways, I am now just waiting on my insurance company to do an evalutaion or consultation (not sure what they called it) and will have to wait another day or two before I can schedule an actual appointment. The psychologist I spoke with over the phone who is going to talk with me seemed very nice, and when I told her what the other doc said, she kinda luaghed and really wanted to know his name and where he worked. That made me feel a little better. Also, does anyone know how long the consultation lasts. One psychologist that called me back today said it would take 6 sessions before she can diagnose me, this seemed a little extreme.
Thanks
Kyle

It depends on the psych and how much testing. Mine just did some questioning about symptoms and asked about my history and my family's history. It was one session and I had a prior diagnosis from another doc. My brother was diagnosed in two one hour sessions. Through the same method as me, different doc.

Good luck!

I think it's a good sign when a professional says it will take some time to make a proper diagnosis.

Six sessions is cool -- mine did three and I sure wanted more, although he did a good work up and got an accurate diagnosis. You'll be able to learn a lot more about your ADHD or whatever the issue is this way. Education is a big part of treatment. Meds can really help but without education, support and structures in place you probably won't get optimum results.

Let us know -- how it goes!:)

Scattered

Please read my posts on evidence based assessments for adults

Let us know how the assessment goes. I'm glad you found someone knowledgable in this field. Hopefully your hard work in finding the right person will pay off!:)


Scattered

It seems from my enquiries that all psychologists will see you, but few extend past the textbooks - in fact I have not yet found one in UK that does. Of course they all take your money and offer hope...but.....

Anyone found a reputable psych??

hi ther mindful yes i saw a great one in horsham uk about two months ago if ya want address pm me jess

No offense but your Doc is a ******* in my opinion and hes lucky he didnt have me as a patient because I would have shown him what an ADD temper tantrum is like and smashed his face in.