Hi all,
just looking for a bit of advice. I have got my GP to give me a referral to a psychiatrist to be evaluated, and I just wanted to see what people could suggest I take with me as I am 30 and am not on campus with my new course so teachers won't be able to comment on my behaviour.

Here's what I am planning on taking. Appt. not till 28th Nov.

A list of what I have problems with.
A list of what I woul like to achieve through treatment.
An ADHD checklist I have filled in.
A list of problems that have been noticed by my partner and my best friend.
A list of what my mum has noticed in me since childhood.
Any school reports that I can get my hands on.

Any other suggestions would be great.
My GP has had trouble finding anyone to refer me to that would see me before next year as they have all closed their books to new patients or have gone on holiday.
He said he would probably find someone prepared to see me as a single appointment but not as an ongoing patient at moment so I want to make the best use of what time I can get.
I want to be as concise as possible, if I just start talking I will never stop and probably not get anything productive out of it.

Yup.
Take photocopied ADD checklists from books.

Ask for Neuropsychological Testing. That can prove poor executive function poor working memory, inattention and impulsivity, etc.

your checklist is fab..that's a great start..good luck

Old report card with specific comments regarding symptoms would help a lot as well, to verify the history part of it, and describe, describe, describe...

Thanks so much. I am getting together as much as I can. Good news is that my doctor has organised the appointment for me and there is provision for ongoing care so I don't have to try and rush it in the one appointment and I then have more flexibility in getting the medication right as it is so restricted here as to who can prescribe stimulants.

That's a great list jo. I live in Adelaide too and I've got an apointment coming up on the 4th of next month, I'll use some of your ideas.

I've also got a list of psychs who treat adult ADHD around adelaide so let me know if you want it.

I did get a list from the attention disorder association of sa of specialists but they were all either on leave or would not take on anyone new til next year. I thought I would at least try to start the process then swap to a specialist if I don't get anywhere.
ADASA has a support group up at Burnside that I am going to try going to, I tried to go to the Nov. meeting but I wandered around the building where it was supposed to be for 20 mins and couldn't find the group, got so frustrated that I was gonna lose it so I gave up and went home, 40 min drive to get there. Will make a call and check all the details and try again in Dec. I am usually really good with directions so don't know what happened.

Yeah it's so annoying getting diagnosed here.

Dr Gerrard is back from being overseas same with Dr Prodea. But you said they're not taking on new patients? that sucks

I saw Dr Goven this week, he's listed as child/adolescent but he does adults too. He was excellent, very helpful. I'm going back to see Dr Gerrard today to get my script.

I've been trying for at least a year or two so don't be surprised if it takes you a bit of time. It's worth it in the end, I'm finally seeing things start to happen.

Most of my appointments have been an hour drive or so. :( At least we're not in the UK they have even less recognition of ADD than us.

ozchris,
I was wondering, when you say it has taken a couple of years what exactly are you referring to?
You said you were seeing 2 different doctor's, are you trying out a new one? or are you not happy with the one you got?
I am trying to get an idea of how long the actual diagnostic process takes.
What have you experienced as far as how they actually assess you? I would just like to get an idea of how someone local has gone at it, as it seems to be quite different around the world. I am trying to see what I can do to expedite the whole thing as it is really driving me nuts.

Since I've abused opiates in my past I'm on a list the government has for drugs of abuse. I had to have two different psychiatrist diagnose because of this. Took me all those years to organize everything.

The actual process should only take one appointment and then when you go back and see them they'll start treatment.

Was happy with both the doctors I saw.

Started on 10mg Ritilan twice a day yesterday and don't really like it much so far. I'll give it a few more weeks and see how it goes. I've also got the choice to try dexamphetamine if I don't like the Ritilan, I'll probably end up doing that.

They usually do a few tests, take your history, talk to family members if possible and read school reports.

ozchris,
Thanks for the honesty.
I am curious to see how I will go once medicated, as right now to get any study done I am using sudafed and no-doze and that is getting me by, but it creates a yukky come down. So I am only taking that route once a week and power studying.
I am seeing Dr Rajan Nagesh, not a specialist in ADHD as far as I know, my GP set up the apointment. Hopefully I will get somewhere with him, if not I will try to get an apointment with someone on the list I have got next year.
I have struggled with this my whole life so I guess it won't kill me to wait another couple of months.