I am going through a difficult period in my life. Already have a college degree, and I got a decent GPA. But ever since I graduated three years ago, my life has been and unfocused mess. I invested a lot of money into one career, impulsively decided not to follow that path. I went back to school to start another career, after three semesters of school I withdrew from classes during the fourth because I just fell apart and could not focus anymore.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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I felt like a complete mess psychologically, (and a failure, lazy, quitter...) and I did not know what to do so I went in to the student health services for help. They were very compassionate and put me on Prozac for depression. <o:p></o:p>

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But before they prescribed me the ssri I told the NP that I suspected I may be depressed because of ADD-like symptoms. She made it sound like big deal that would cost me a lot of money to get diagnosed, and because I had a degree with a good GPA I probably did not have ADD and should try the Prozac.

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I know it takes 4 weeks for Prozac to kick in, but so far I see no improvement after 3 weeks, I feel more unfocused less motivated, and not as smart. So I called a psychology clinic to see how much it would cost to get diagnosed with ADD. They said $$$2800!!! I only have major medical and all this would come out of my pocket, which does not have that kind of money.<o:p></o:p>

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Does anyone have any advice for my situation? Is it possible to get diagnosed by a GP? I just want to have a productive life.<o:p></o:p>

It did cost me a lot to get diagnosed. Depends on how sure you want that diagnosis to be.

Well I find it interesting that it costs almost nothing to be diagnosed with depression, and a small fortune to get diagnosed with add. I want to be diagnosed correctly if I do have ADD, but if it is $2800 I'm afraid I won't have the abilty to be diagnosed at all.

No, you can get dx's from a GP, and they can put you on meds.

Thanks. I don't have a GP now, I'm going to wait another week to see if the prozac helps. But after that, should I call GP doctors and ask if they have any experience treating adult ADD?

Well now here's where you run into the reason I said it depends on how solid of a diagnosis you want.
I went to a psychologist that specializes in ADD and got very thorough testing (took 5 days). I came away knowing so much more than a "5 minute chat/let's dx you by seeing if meds help" dx would have given me. I learned exactly how my ADHD effects my brain, my weak points and strong points, my co morbid disorders - all things I wouldn't have came away knowing without the extensive testing from a specialist.
If I didn't have the money and the ADD was effecting my life drastically, I'd be desperate to try meds, and would gladly take a "guess" dx to be able to try them.
But in the long run, I strongly encourage getting the deeper dx, and the therapy to help you tackle your ADD.