Should I just go to my local general health practitioner and tell him about my add problems to get diagnosed, or rather to some kind of specialist.

Hello xterminal01, welcome to ADDF. Have you read any threads here? I think that a simple answer to your question is, no, find out if your insurance requires a referral to a specialist (psychologist who does testing for ADHD). If not, then you can call your local Mental Health Clinic to find out who does that type of testing in your area. If your insurance does require a referral, then you need to approach your primary physician, and ask for a referral to the person that the Mental Health Clinic says does the testing.

Good luck,

At Heart

Can a primary physician prescribe medication for ADD and diagnose it?

Yes. Your family doctor can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, if you can be diagnosed and treated by a professional specializing in adhd, it is a good idea to do so.

ME :D

Are you a young person or an Adult who was missed (being diagnosed) as a kid?

If you are the latter, I'd bet that a GP wouldn't diagnose you either.

Many Inattentives or Combineds (I'd guess that's what you likely are, if you made it to adulthood undiagnosed) do not have the Classic Symptoms.

Many GPs don't understand that ADD is (a) a working memory disorder (nor can they test for things like Auditory Memory) or (b) a problem with executive dysfunction (nor can they test for things like this; MDs don't do the WCST, or Trails tests or such) etc.

You may want to seek out a Testing Psychologist. If you have insurance, this may cover it.

I am 24 and yea i never was diagnosed; however, i have friends that are Gp's so that might help. And not i dont have insurence so the cheapest option would be good.. And also what would be the best medication to start with?

Hi xterminal01,

I couldn't tell you what med is the best, because we all react to medications differently, so it is too individual to really give you an answer for that. What makes you think you have ADHD if you have not been diagnosed before?

Well since i've been a child i was always overly hyper climbing up the furniture scaring my parents to death wanting to jump of the house. Right now i am having big time trouble concentrating focusing on things having to read certain things bunch of times to finally get it in the head. Not because i don't understand it but more likely because i think about other things. I can not sit more then 15 min while doing my homework i have to listen to much while i do homework i constantly have to move while i do certain academic and other things. And also other things which reflect the classic ADD. This is nothing new like i said its been here since i know about myself.

First drug given is likely Ritalin, Strattera, Effexor or Wellbutrin.

These seem to be the prescribing trends in Adults that's I've seen and heard, anyway.

Remember: we don't know your medical history, so we can't really say.
e.g. If a person has an addiction history, they might not be Rx's a controlled drug. In some states, like CA, I think it's even illegal to Rx to a 'known addict'. Different countries and states have different rules.

Ofcourse, the irony is: that many ADD/ADHDers *have* used chemicals (e.g. caffeine, nicotine, pot, sedatives, stimulants).

In many cases, it (substance use) is ACTUALLY a factor that even suggests an 'ADD/ADHD diagnosis'. (An ADHD sub-specialist would know that.)[I]

Are you in college? Your school might pay for testing.

Meds can help, but I think testing is where it's at. It helps uncover your TRUE problems and deficits that are making life hard.

Yea i am in college i didn't know that school might pay for testing ?

Talk to your Disability Office at your school about LD/ADHD Testing. My province's Ministry of Education paid for mine. $1200 it was. *ack* It was a Grant under the Student Loan/Bursary system.

Some school's Student Awards offices have money, too, for general bursaries.

Anyone in Florida with info?