I hope my posting this here isn't too obnoxious, since it relates to MHYPER790's latest thread on doctors and diagnosis. I posted these thoughts there but this is a subject that often comes up and I feel very strongly about this. I always want to shout it out (in a helpful way:)) to people who seem to self-diagnose themselves or their kids or rely on a doctors simple questionare for a diagnosis and subsequent treatment. I'm re-posting it here in the hopes that more people will see it. Here goes:

My opinion is that NO ONE should accept a subjective ADD diagnosis from a shrink or general practicioner who merely asks them a few questions or gives them a survey to fill out! NO ADD/ADHD rating scale, on-line "test", checklist, survey, or questionnaire has ever been validated, endorsed, or recommended by ANY Local, State, or Federal Government!! PLEASE click here for info on Neuropsychological Evaluation / Testing (http://www.addhealthandwellness.com/faq.php#10)!!!

To get a concreate diagnosis you must see a Neuropsychologist (http://www.tbidoc.com/Appel2.html) for a full barage of tests using DSM-IV criteria to weed out any other variables and get the correct diagnosis!!! To determine anything conclusive, the use of objective testing is mandatory.

It kills me to see SO MANY people self diagnosing or relying on their family doctor or shrink. Can you imagine how MANY people out there are mis-diagnosed or unnecessarily trying med after med for a dysfunction that they DON'T have?!?!? Or worse yet, never getting the right treatment for the REAL problem, i.e. Bi-polar, dysthymia, etc.
ARG.:(

Just wanted to follow that up with something pro-active:

If you need to find a Neuropsychologist (http://abpn.net/memberDirectory.aspx)or Licensed Psychologist (http://www.addconsults.com/directory/listingall.php3)in your area.

Sorry-I also meant to include Liscensed Psychologists as appropriate professionals in diagnosing ADD.

Just to clarify, since I didn't in my rant, that it is also of utmost importance that part of the evaluation procedure also includes input from parents/spouses/teachers etc., regarding their own perceptions of severity of behavior in their loved one.
Neither can be exclusive of the other when making a determination.
Also helps to get a thorough physical exam.

GOOD PRACTICES FOR ADD EVALUATION for Kids (http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/psychologicalservices/pdf/ADHD-OHIBest_Practices.pdf) and for adults (http://www.doctorwelsh.com/page4.html).
Going to take a nap now...

How often does this happen? I agree with you, but I see it the other way around too -- lots of definitive symptoms but no diagnosis.

It's not that simple IMO.

That neuropsychological testing may have an objective aura, but it is not yet established which results from which tests actually say "This is ADD". Far from that.

Until that is cleared up. I actually think that these 'objective' tests are less reliable than a good* 'subjective' evaluation by a knowledgeable professional (psychiatrist or what have you).

All this does is shift the possible error from one stage of the evaluation process to another, with the added risk of overly depending on, usually costly, apparatus. And it's also possibly misleading because - apparently - lots of people seem to think that a certain quantitative measurement obtained with a machine makes it more true.

The point is that this approach, while very fruitful in physics, is not ported to human beings so easily. Humans are complex. ADD is complex. We don't yet know what a value of 33.5 on the ADD-o-tronic Dr HoleyMoley Brain Scan Machine actually means.

* Good here is meant as taking enough time (say, a couple of hours at least) and going through everything that the DSM requires (mimicking conditions, co-existing conditions, history, etcetera)

I'm Shoutin This From The Rooftop!!!
I couldn't help noticing that, now you mention it .. :rolleyes:

]To get a concreate diagnosis you must see a Neuropsychologist for a full barage of tests using DSM-IV criteria to weed out any other variables and get the correct diagnosis!!! To determine anything conclusive, the use of objective testing is mandatory.

I was going to agree with your post when I assumed it was going to say a
neurologist would likely provide better diagnostics than other doctors or pyschologists. But you mention "Neuropsychologist"?

I really just wanted to post this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5pmwhd_MfA

I was going to agree with your post when I assumed it was going to say a
neurologist would likely provide better diagnostics than other doctors or pyschologists. But you mention "Neuropsychologist"?

I really just wanted to post this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5pmwhd_MfA
You're strange, insane, one thing you can never change

:)

I had something a little different come to mind when I read this title.

IT'S MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!

RunningL8 makes a really good point. When I was pushed in that direction, it took a good long time for me to find an adequate diagnosis. My prescribing psychiatrist was useless. He was a strict Freudian.

Finally I asked a buddy about his doc, and met the doctor that has been at the center of my recovery since 2000. Its been a long and winding road, which would have been shorter and straighter had I not dealt with an inadequate doctor. My doc thought he was making good decisions, and he obviously did not. He just made a convenient one.

I had something a little different come to mind when I read this title.

IT'S MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!



HAHAHA

JG WENTWORTH IS RIGHT!!!!

neuropsyc testing is the route I took. I feel it's the most accurate test. It rules out (or in) any other conditions that might be going on. I found that I learned a whole lot more about myself than I would have from your simple ADD checklist (too generalized IMOP)