I need advice on how to obtain a prescription for Adderall (or other medication) from a doctor.
Here is my situation: I believe I have had ADD all my life, and I have only once went to see a doctor about it. When I was 17 years old I got referred to a psychiatrist from my MD and went to talk to him. I told him my problems, unability to focus, was not able to study, or complete general tasks, easily distracted, easily frustrated, etc... So he basically just blew me off and gave me a pamphlet to go read, and come back if I have any other problems. It seems that my old doctors were very old school, pill stingy (keep in mind this was almost 10 years ago and in a rural town).

Okay onto the next part. I now live in NYC and have health insurance. I am really not familiar with going to doctors in general, and have no experience with psychiatrists or anything. So can someone please explain the steps I need to find a doctor to talk about my ADD with? Does anyone have any suggestions for doctors in NYC? I think the reason I have put this off for so long is that I get anxiety about going to see the doctor about this problem.

Thanks in advanced!

Hi there!

My first step was to go see a psychiatrist. I had no referral of any kind, so I just randomly picked one from my insurance provider's list of doctors in the network.

I don't know how your insurance works, but the way it worked with mine (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona) is that in addition to a bunch of psychiatrists they have in their network, they also have a sub-network (or whatever it's called) or should I say an affiliation with a company (Arizona Biodyne) that manages behavioral health services for them. Through them I was able to get a list of psychiatrists who are also members of that sub-network.

That was the cheapest option... I found a psychiatrist that costs a $15 co-pay to see. Nothing goes towards the deductible or anything like that... simply $15.

My advice to you is to call your insurance company and see if there is anything similar in NY. It never hurts to ask for the cheapest option :)

I know what you mean about putting it off for so long.. I waited 7 years!

Oh, and don't let that first experience of yours stop you from seeing a new psychiatrist... But just so you know, there are other ways to get diagnosed (neurologist, etc.) I personally chose to see a psychiatrist for that.

I need advice on how to obtain a prescription for Adderall (or other medication) from a doctor.
Here is my situation: I believe I have had ADD all my life, and I have only once went to see a doctor about it. When I was 17 years old I got referred to a psychiatrist from my MD and went to talk to him. I told him my problems, unability to focus, was not able to study, or complete general tasks, easily distracted, easily frustrated, etc... So he basically just blew me off and gave me a pamphlet to go read, and come back if I have any other problems. It seems that my old doctors were very old school, pill stingy (keep in mind this was almost 10 years ago and in a rural town).

Okay onto the next part. I now live in NYC and have health insurance. I am really not familiar with going to doctors in general, and have no experience with psychiatrists or anything. So can someone please explain the steps I need to find a doctor to talk about my ADD with? Does anyone have any suggestions for doctors in NYC? I think the reason I have put this off for so long is that I get anxiety about going to see the doctor about this problem.

Thanks in advanced!
Welcome, Fav! I love your username!

I went to a neuropsychologist and was very impressed with his approach. I had mentioned it to my primary care physician, with terrible results. She completely blew me off etc. Long story. I just got my diagnosis on February 19, and here is the thread where I posted my diagnosis story:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37134

I have to wait until next Monday to get in to the psychiatrist to start meds, although since I am bipolar, I'm positive he will start with a mood stabilizer.

I know your story will be different than mine, but the kinds of tests and the sequence of diagnosis should be similar.

Good luck! Please let us know what happens.

P.S. I got the name of my doctor from someone while standing in line at the pharmacy, but now knowing what I know, I would start with a look at local neuropsychologists. ;) :)

Thank you so much for your fast responses! I have been searching through my health care providers (Aetna) website, and there are over 700 psychiatrists listed in NYC! I have no idea where to start, and it really scares me to just pick some random one. Would anyone happen to know of any reliable ones?

Thanks again!

The way I see it, even asking for a referral or recommendation is just as random as picking one from a list. Think about it.. There are 700 psychiatrists, and that means at any given time each has a bunch of happy patients who would gladly recommend him/her. So bumping into one of those patients is random by itself... My theory is that all those 700 psychiatrists are of the same level until proven otherwise. Either way it's random, don't you think so?

That is true :) But my anxiety has the best of me. I picture picking a randon psychiatrist. Going to their "office" and it is in the basement of some bar, and none of them speak english. I know this is ridiculous to think this, but still.

LOL... :)

What about your family doc (if you have one)? Can he recommend one?

I was just reading though my insurance company list of psyc docs. I am picking one that has a broad range of disorders that he works with. I figure ADD tends to have co-morbid disorders so I picked a doc that had stuff listed that I could identify with. like sleeping problems phoebia add etc.... Not a very scientfic approach but figured if I don't like him I will pick someone else and try again.

Best of luck!

That is true :) But my anxiety has the best of me. I picture picking a randon psychiatrist. Going to their "office" and it is in the basement of some bar, and none of them speak english. I know this is ridiculous to think this, but still.
Eeeekkkk! :eek:

Is there a list of neuropsychologists? Can you use their addresses to rule the basement of a bar crowd (if that even exists?) :eyebrow:

Call a few and find out where they went to school, how long they practiced etc. Or just hang out in line the pharmacy and check how who is getting ADHD meds. That's what I did! :D Well, not on purpose. :o

There must be some on-line yellow page adds or physicians directories with pics, etc in NYC.

Here I am in the middle of NOWHERE and we have some here. OK, not the "middle" but I can see it from here. ;) :)

LOOK FOR A SPECIALIST.

My reason for initially seeking a psychiatrist was not for ADD. During my "treatment", ADD was mentioned by my Dr & my therapist so I looked into it & discovered that it was very possibly the root cause of my issues.

Unfortunately the unwillingness of my Dr to treat the ADD & her "med piling" for what she insisted was bipolar, drove me to seek someone who specializes in ADD.

My 1st google search with keywords "ADHD psychiatrist New York (http://www.iser.com/nschwartz-psych-NY.html)"

They're out there.

With all due respect, may I add that starting your post off with,
"I need advice on how to obtain a prescription for Adderall (or other medication) from a doctor."
does not sit well with me.

Be very aware that it takes MUCH more than meds to overcome this disorder. It is had work, but well worth it.

bc

Well said.