I guess that there can be many paths to a diagnosis, and that everyone gets there in a somewhat different manner. Like I have previously posted, I believe the I am ADD and I believe that this is a factor in my current family difficulties. I'm sure that there are other factors and possibly other conditions as well. Anyway, I want to confirm or refute my own suspicions, but I'm not sure how best to go about it. Should I go first to my general physician and discuss it with him? I've called some local psychiatrists and physicians who specialize in the treatment of ADHD, but they want $300-$500 for the first visit, then $150 for follow up visits. There is no way that I can afford that and it's not covered under my insurance. Regardless of having a diagnosis, I am making an appointment for counseling because I know that it will help. In general, do physicians consider the recommendations of a counselor/psychologist and write perscriptions for meds? I can't see that my physician would medicate me without some sort of corroboration. I'm not looking to be medicated, I'm not sure that I need to be, but I also do not want to eliminate the possibly that I need meds.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I am in a weird place these days. Relationships with the wife and oldest son are difficult and tense at best. I find myself increasingly distracted and easily agitated. The more I read about ADHD, the more upset I become about things left undone, opportunites missed, and potential never quite realized.

I would look into the possibility of seeing a neurologist who treats add. That is how I finally sought treatment. They didn't code it the mental health part of my insurance. Iguess there may be a difference whether its coded as a neurological issue instead of a mental health issue?? I don't know for sure. I never thought about going to a neurologist until a couple of weeks ago after doing online research. Good luck.

I have also read on other messages that a neuropsych is the way to go, especially if there might be other issues besides ADHD.

Here's my question, is that a neuropsychologist or neuropshyciatrist?

A general physician is likely to talk with you for 5-10 minutes then write you a script. You might have to actually ask for a referral for something more. Many ADHDers have other conditions as well, that ADHD meds can make worse. It's worth it to get a qualified thorough eval. Also, a good physical is a good idea too, to make sure all your labwork is in order, as thyroid and sugars can play with your mental/emotional wellbeing too.

I would see the GP to address any possible biological factors and rule them out: hypoglyemia, thyroid conditions, et. al. and let him know why you want them known (possible ADHD).

I would look into a clinic with sliding fee scale too. IMO you need a psychiatrist or neuropsychiatrist who knows the deal with ADHD to get the proper DX.

Crazy (who is very lucky to have her psydoc it seems)

Crazy~Feet and 1kid&2dogs gave you most execellent answers. I see a neuropsychiatrist for my ADD been with him sense 1993.

I made my appointment straight up but I saved up and paid cash. I had insurance but back in 1993 they didn't even have a code for adult ADD never mind the possibility of having insurance pay for it.

Another good point brought up is how it is coded may determine weather or not your health insurance covers it. If you have a fairly reasonable deductible you may begin by asking your family doctor how you would get an evaluation because in reality they are correct a good over all physical to rule out physical issues is sound advice. My ADD doctor wanted me to have had a physical in the past six months but preferred 90 days.

First things first.

Go to your family doctor and discuss ADHD with him/her. Your MD is qualified to diagnose and treat ADHD (In the USA). From there you may wish to go for a formal diagnosis with a specialist, but it is no essential that you do so.

It is expensive, but well worth the effort in terms undersatanding of your condition. and getting proper care.

You need to find a neuropsychlogist who specializes in attention disorders, and you want to have a full neuropsychological evaluation done. This typically costs anywhere from $1000 to $3500 and many insurance conmpanies won't pay for it. I hjad to pay $1800 out of my own pocket to get mine done and I am glad that I did. If you can afford it it is the way to go because it will give the doctors who treat you information that they can use to care for you properly. Ask your MD about getting an evaluation done by a neuropsychologist.

After the diagnosis you may wish to consult a psychiatrist who treats adults with adhd. Interestingly enough, most insurance companies will pay for this. Chances are a psychiatrist will want to do some testing. You may also have anxiety disorders along with adhd. (It is really very common), and you might need a therapist to help you identify and work through all the issues. I did a year of psycotherapy and It helped me tremendously. Most insurance companies are pretty good about paying for this too.


If you can't go the route of all the testing and evaluation for a diagnosis, just stay with your family doctor, he can treat your adhd symptoms and do a good job of it. It is just that it is better if you go the route of testing and a formal diagnosis.

Me :D

Hi Speedo,

While I DO appreciate all the experience you bring - I'm having trouble understanding your post (above). You say "If you can't go the route of all the testing and evaluation for a diagnosis, just stay with your family doctor, he can treat your adhd symptoms and do a good job of it. It is just that it is better if you go the route of testing and a formal diagnosis."

I guess I would just like clarification on how it is "BETTER" when you say that "your family doctor can treat your adhd symptoms and do a good job of it." IF a gp can diagnose and treat ADHD - then why the heck would someone pay all that $$$ and spend all that time, etc. to see a neuropsych??? The point I'm getting at is that - in my EXPERIENCE - and from many of the experiences shared by many other posters on here - even PSYCHIATRISTS (with all of THEIR "expertise") - often blow a person off (especially an ADULT) who comes to them with concerns about ADHD.

Sue

P.S. Please know I'm not intending to try to shine NEGATIVELY on your input, just decided to argue back at a post (one of the MANY I read here) that I don't understand. You're just one of the lucky ones! ;)

The MD will diahngose you based on your symptoms, and he will treat those symptoms.

IF you elect to have a neuropsych evaluation done you get more information. In fact you get a complete profile of "you" in terms of how you function as a human being.
It is an exhaustive workup based on interviewing you, and a carefully chosen suite of tests. In essence it is a dignosis based on test data , and the avialable medical and psychological information, while the MD's diagnosis is based on symptoms .

The value of the neuropsych evaluation is that you get more information than you otherwise might have. This means your doctor has a better chance of treating your condition adequately.

Myself (being an engineer) I prefer to have the information , I prefer , personally a diagnosis based on the best evidence that can be had.

For my style of thinking, looking at someone and diagnosing them based solely on symptoms and a self report is not solid solid evidence on which one can come to a reasonable conclusion about adhd. The combination of evidence gained from a neuropsychological evaluation AND the patients symptoms gives you a more compelling suite of information from which a diagnosis can be made. In my opinion, an evidence based diagnosis is much preferred to a totally subjective symptoms based diagnosis.


Me :D







Hi Speedo,

While I DO appreciate all the experience you bring - I'm having trouble understanding your post (above). You say
I guess I would just like clarification on how it is "BETTER" when you say that "your family doctor can treat your adhd symptoms and do a good job of it." IF a gp can diagnose and treat ADHD - then why the heck would someone pay all that $$$ and spend all that time, etc. to see a neuropsych??? The point I'm getting at is that - in my EXPERIENCE - and from many of the experiences shared by many other posters on here - even PSYCHIATRISTS (with all of THEIR "expertise") - often blow a person off (especially an ADULT) who comes to them with concerns about ADHD.

Sue

P.S. Please know I'm not intending to try to shine NEGATIVELY on your input, just decided to argue back at a post (one of the MANY I read here) that I don't understand. You're just one of the lucky ones! ;)

Wow! Thanks for all of the responses. I had a full physical back in February, including the bloodwork, and everything looked good, so I believe my physician can rule out physical conditions.

Not sure exactly where I'll go from here, except that I will be speaking with a therapist in the next couple of weeks and that I need to schedule an appointment with my physician for a blood pressure re-check anyway, so we'll discuss ADHD at that time. I'll let y'all know where this all leads.

Thanks!

I'll let y'all know where this all leads.

Please do . . . . . .looking forward to it!

Thanks For The Clarification, Speedo!!!! I Getcha Now!! :)