Did you get diagnosed/treated by a neuropsych or a psychiatrist?

[Fortress]

I got my diagnosis from a neuropsych, but it was in kind of weird conditions - so the report ends with a vague (paraphrasing) "no hyperactivity, but there are elements that the person reports were present in childhood and could indicate inattentive"

As you could figure out, that's not enough for my doctor (especially since I asked for amphetamines first thing ), so he wanted me to get evaluated by a psychiatrist to confirm and get a better advice on how to treat this because "he doesn't know much about adult ADD"

Problem is, at first that's what I understand but now I'm doubting if the psych will just try to find anxiety disorders but is actually not qualified to diagnose ADD.
Bonus worry: I have all the key symptoms of SCT mentioned in this great link provided by ana_futura (thanks)
http://www.pensivepediatrician.com/2...tempo-vs-adhd/
and SCT is even less well-known than adult ADD so I'm just worried I'm going nowhere.


Rant aside: have any of you gotten your diagnosis/treatment from a psychiatrist and not a neuropsych?

[Drewbacca]

Originally Posted by Fortress

SCT is even less well-known than adult ADD so I'm just worried I'm going nowhere.

Well, it's not a recognized disorder at this point so it is very unlikely that you would find any psychiatrist who would diagnose you as such (even unofficially). But, perhaps you will luck out and meet the unlikely psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD and related disorders.

I don't blame an MD at all for not wanting to prescribe you anything without a psychiatrist evaluating you first.

If you think it's SCT, then push to try Strattera first and if that doesn't work, then ask about stimulants.

Rant aside, I had two different psychiatrists diagnose me long before I ever saw a neuropsych.

[sarahsweets]

I see a psychiatrist, its worked well.

[ONLY DESTROYER]

Same thing kind of happened with me. I went to a neurologist, but he specialized in ADD, (you just have to call your health insurance and specifically ask which place would be most suitable for you). He said I am kind of on the fence with anxiety and ADD here. "There is no way I can look inside your brain and say this is broken, lets fix it."
"So lets try the Neurologist for (Focus Behavioral Health)." He wrote me the recommendation letter, and that was the ticket I needed. Haha

[Verile]

I was a self referral. I took a concentration test with spoken and visual numbers. It confirmed I was moderate ADHD. When I mentioned feeling rusty, like I was rotting inside, and tried to describe all my symptoms to the nurse practioner, she declared me the most depressed patient she has ever met, thought I was going to committ suicide immediately, and tried to prescribe me a dangerous anti psychotic then and there.

I feel she misinterpretted me. It was a bitter struggle from there to convince her she was wrong. I had to work out a deal where I agreed to therapy to get the amphetamines I needed. I have nothing against therapy in general, I just didn't feel there's any particular magic set of words that was going to solve my particular issue. Eight sessions later and I was allowed to stop since I didn't really have anything to talk about. Other than my daily struggle with life I have no trauma to work through or dark past to get over.

Point is, if at all possible, try to see whoever has the most ADHD experience in your area. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache. Most people can't seem to distinguish between ADHD-PI from depression and they give you a lot of talk about comorbid afflictions and chicken or egg. If you're sure you're not depressed then don't agree to taking meds you aren't comfortable with. If that's not possible try to be reasonable and strike a bargain in the most mature, rational way that you can manage.

[Electra2]

I felt something was wrong with my memory and was very tired,among other things, and that I had "met the wall" at work.Exhausted.I explained and complained to...
-The unemployment office lead me to the doctor.(I also had my first epilepsy seizure at that time...)
-The doctor lead to...
Tests in hospital (MRI,CT,X-Ray,etc.);
-Day 1; 8 hours neuropsych (IQ,wais,wisc,raven,puzzle & blindfold test , etc ++++)
-Day 2; same as day 1

result; most likely ADD,epilepsy-grand mal (at that time,its gone now)
and a little slow metabolism.Anemia.Post traumatic stress disorder,mild dep. & anxiety.

-Then after several years of psycological therapy at a psychologist ;
treated for PTSD anxiety and depression,(+ slow metabolism and anemia)
I was examined by a psychiatric doctor
and put on Effexor.


About this time my epilepsy did NOT get worse by meds,it gradually stopped completely.

-Then after a few more tests and questions for my parents
the diagnose was officially confirmed.
(After about 5 years (?) since the first tests...I was pregnant and then I breastfed before I started with ritalin,
so I didnt start to use meds right after beeing diagnosed)
ADD,more then the combined type.
Medications (ritalin) works very well so far and has lead to a better life in general.

[Fortress]

Thanks to all for your stories, especially Verile. Interesting how we all can't escape the anxiety...at least until treatment.

I think there was some clinic specialized in ADD here, I'll look that up. Plus I'm glad to see psychiatrists can do the job. I'm doing not too bad in the meantime, which is good since I know now I can't expect meds to fix me up 100%...but damn, this is such a huge mental handicap, some tangible help would be welcome. Tired of being the confused, slow, unmotivated guy who doesn't "get" it and is no fun most of the time