Family doctor or Psychiatrist for diagnosis?

[Ack226]

I'm in my early 30's and have had ADD-like symptoms for my entire life. I've been researching it online lately, taking online questionnaires, etc. and I'm fairly sure that I have it. I'd like to see someone for a diagnosis and possible treatment.

I've heard of some people going to their General Practitioner doctor and getting prescribed medication right then and there, some people being referred to a Psychiatrist, and some people just skipping the GP and making an appointment directly with a Psychiatrist.

What do you think? Would I be better off going to my GP about it or making an appointment directly with a Psychiatrist?

[Gunner]

The general consencous is thate a Phsychiatrist/Phsycologist is the only one that can reallly diagnose you (unless your GP is really hot ****) but GP's are allowed by law to Dx add.

If you have a good GP who will work with you and get you the meds you need without too much trouble thats what I would do unless I wanted that thorough Dx for accessability services etc etc. Some people feel comforted just knowing that a specialist Dx them.

I went to my GP to get a referal to a p-doc because I thought that is what you had to do but my GP told me I didn't need to do that (if I did not want to) he always has the patient cost in mind which is really good. So I just get my meds from him and it is working perfect for me.

I did go see a shrink for my anxiety though, I somehow did not think that going in to a GP office and walking out with an SSRi, maybe a benzo and told good luck was the best approach to that problem. I think it is what you feel about it, is it a problem you think can be handled almost solely with meds or do you need something else as well?

Another note is some GPs again are not educated at all on ADD and this can work against you in that they might miss your symptoms or what you are telling them and send you on your way with nothing or with the wrong med. Or it could work the other way: A good friend went to a doc who as I hear was about as ignorant to add as one could imagine and said something like "Well I think they give Adderall for that, here you go have a good day."

For me my GP is my best choice in the add world. For anxiety I feel like I need to see someone a bit more focused.

[BR549]

Ok, here's the skinny. You like your GP? Great. Does he/she have any experience with ADHD or specialize in it? GP's can diagnose a lot of things and treat a lot of things. There are many GP's who also specialize in diagnosing and treating ADHD. But there are many more who don't. If your GP does list ADHD as a specialty, go for it.

Seeing a psychiatrist who specializes in diagnosing and treating ADHD is a in a lot of ways better than your run of the mill GP (one who doesn't specialize in ADHD). Notice I said psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD, because there are a lot who don't. There are some who don't believe in it after adolescence.

Psychiatrists deal specifically with mental conditions. Specializing in ADHD gives them an advantage in that they know how to properly diagnose and treat this condition. They understand the drugs, dosages and interactions.

Nothing is worse that being misdiagnosed and taking meds that make you feel awful. Psychiatrists who specialize see ADHDer's every day. Diagnosing and treating mental conditions and disorders is what they do.

If you suspected you had a heart condition and needed medication, wouldn't you bypass your GP and go to a cardiologist? Sure, your GP could give you medication and run tests, but wouldn't you feel more comfortable with someone that had training specifically in that field?

A lot of people have no problem going to a GP and have had great results in doing so. A lot of people go to their GP and end up taking the wrong med, the wrong dose or worse, being told it's all in their mind.

GP or psychiatrist, it's really a matter of choice. Personally, If I were looking for a diagnosis, I'd make sure whoever I saw specialized in ADHD.

[Gunner]

There is something to be said about specialists. I got a hernia in the mil and they sent me to the VA. They had 2 docs look at me in the ER and tell me it was probably pulled muscle or very small hernia that was nothing to worry about. My follow up with them was the same, well I could feel a bulge there and it didn't get any better.

I went to a private surgeon who specializes in hernias(all he does mostly); it took him no more then 5 seconds to say yup you have one, when do you want surgery. Apparently it was a fairly large hernia, still hurts to this day.

[Ack226]

So it sounds like regardless of whether I go to a GP or a Psychiatrist, they need to specialize in adult ADD. Any tips on finding someone in my area with this specialty? I've done a ton of Google searching and can't find anyone.

Thanks for your help!

[Dizfriz]

Originally Posted by Ack226

So it sounds like regardless of whether I go to a GP or a Psychiatrist, they need to specialize in adult ADD. Any tips on finding someone in my area with this specialty? I've done a ton of Google searching and can't find anyone.

Thanks for your help!

Many can legally diagnose ADHD from Licensed Professional Counselors, Clinical Social Workers and Psychologists up to the Family Practitioners and Psychiatrists.

What you have to look for is someone who has done the research on the disorder so as to make good judgement calls. Keep in mind that diagnosing ADHD is a true clinical judgement call. There are no tests considered valid for primary diagnosis of ADHD.

For diagnosis, I would rather go to to an informed and experienced LPC or CSW, Psychologist and such than a Psychiatrist who has had little exposure or experience with this particular disorder.

As far at treatment, the same pretty much goes. Only Physicians can prescribe these medications. I would rather have a GP with a lot of exposure to ADHD and who has done the homework than a Psychiatrist with little knowledge. Keep in mind that many were trained a number of years ago when ADHD was not high on the priority list for adult and many have not made the effort to keep abreast.

Here is what I have seen to be fairly consistent; an experienced and trained Doc of any kind can usually can do a good job with treatment with most cases. Where the Psychiatrist really comes in is with the hard to treat cases.

If you do not have insurance or there is not a good Psychiatrist near you, I might suggest starting with a GP and moving up if needed.

I really think it is more a function of the individual doctor than the specific credential.

I have used Family Doctors, Pediatricians and Child Psychiatrists in my work and have had good results with all but I pick them carefully.

There are different views on this so take this as simply my thoughts and nothing else.


Oh yes, not too many specialize in ADHD as it generally means that he practice is limited to that but many will describe it as an area of strong clinical interest


Great question,


Dizfriz