Hi
I consulted a pyschiatrist about adult ADD but this been the UK, a very backward country when it comes to healthcare, he was immediately dismissive about the whole idea since in 15 years of working in the pyschiatric speciality he had never come across a case of adult ADD and wasn't too sure about how to diagnose it.

He took a fairly short history from me, lasting no longer than 20 minutes, which I thought an inadequate enough time to find about my situation given the complexities of the case, but I went away satisfied that he will at least give my case serious consideration for treatment and perhaps even arrange counselling if he felt the need was there but a week later I got a letter from him saying that after looking into my personal circumstances I had not convinced him that I had ADD. That is like saying Michael Jackson is not a singer or Barry Bonds is not a steroid user, it is absurd statement to make when all the evidence points to the contrary.

He just didn't seem to listen to me - his main focus was on my performance at school but since I'm a person of reasonable intelligence I was able to mask the symptons of ADD by spending extra time on my homework and through various other methods but when it comes to work related issues which is what is most troubling to me and something I tried to make very clear during the course of the consultation he barely showed any interest, even though I informed him that two of my previous jobs ended with a dismisal letter after making too many unforced errors and even my current employer has also started to get onto my case.

If he could see the way I conduct my life sometimes then perhaps he might not be so hasty with his judgement.

Is there any other way of getting ritalin or adderell - can I come to America and see a GP there? I don't mind paying.

I'm desperate! I'm sure that an American doctor will be more receptive to my situation and not so biased.

Not sure what the diagnosis procedure is like in the UK, but do you have alternative GPs, psychiatrists, or psychologists that you could see? It sounds like you may have a biased GP.

Good luck finding a suitable alternative.

Hey dude...

If the UK system is anything like the Canadian one, you wouldn't want to see a psychiatrist anyway... here, it's psychologists that diagnose ADHD. There are standardized tests that can be administered, and while it's not quite as obvious as a blood test, you can still get fairly positive results.

I think what you'd need to do is find a doctor (be that General Practioner, PhD psychology or Psychiatrist) that specializes in ADHD. If somebody tells you that in 15 years he's never seen an adult case of ADHD, he's clearly not disposed to find one in your case either.

I'd avoid mentioning the stimulant meds, if I was you... Bringing that up marks you as having "drug seeking behaviour". Educate yourself on the different meds that are out there, but I'd suggest you not bring them up until treatment possibilities are discussed. Before you're diagnosed is clearly *not* the time to be talking about Ritalin vs. Adderall, y'know?

Just my $0.02Cdn.

-Scot

I work with my psychiatrist and he was able to tell right away. The UK does seem difficult for diagnosis. Were you thinking about coming to the US for diagnosis? I would find another psychiatrist and try again.

Here are some links that have information about finding help for ADD in the UK


Adult ADHD Assessment Centres in UK (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43525)

Uk Medical professionals - ADD/ADHD (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=498081#post498081) post 3 and 5 are of special interest.

Hope this helps.

Any one having ideas for Canada or a country out side the US feel free to PM me the information and I shall add it to the "where to find a health care practioner" , I try to have this information or links to this information located in one place in the diagnosis section in General ADD for problems such as experienced by the member who began this thread.