Need Illinois Adult ADD Specialist

[Vagusnervex]

Any one have any recommendations for an adult ADD doc in Illinois? Or suggestions for finding one?

[Drewbacca]

It's a big state, you might want to start by being a little more specific. Your best local resource is probably a CHADD group. Google search for that.
There's also info in the forums if you search around a bit.

[Vagusnervex]

Specifically, Chicago suburbs.

[CheekyMonkey]

I know a good child one, not sure if he works with adult. Dr. Alan Graham in Park Ridge. Looking at the site, looks like there is another Dr. there who works with adults. I know they are on the CHADD list.

http://www.addvisor.com/

[namazu]

Funny you mention Dr. Graham... I had a far-less-than-stellar experience with him -- but it was brief, and a very long time (almost two decades) ago, and I understand others seem to think he's good.

He's a PhD psychologist, for what it's worth, rather than an MD psychiatrist.

[CheekyMonkey]

Originally Posted by namazu

Funny you mention Dr. Graham... I had a far-less-than-stellar experience with him -- but it was brief, and a very long time (almost two decades) ago, and I understand others seem to think he's good.

He's a PhD psychologist, for what it's worth, rather than an MD psychiatrist.

Well, people learn a lot in 20 years.

He is pretty well-respected in the community and often speaks at conferences and such.

I just know about him through a friend, so I don't have personal experience.

[Drewbacca]

I can't personally recommend anyone, as I go through Hines VA... but I can ask around.
North suburbs or western?

[Vagusnervex]

I'm looking for a doc in the northwest suburbs of chicago.

[purpleToes]

more ideas for finding a specialist:

- Your family doctor might know of a good psychiatrist

- Find a therapist that who specializes in treating ADHD and ask who they refer to for meds (that's how I found mine)

- Try the Psychology Today website's "Find a Therapist" and "Find a Psychiatrist." Find some profiles you like, then call and ask for a callback. You can probably rule out ones that you know you don't feel comfortable with right away after just a few minutes on the phone.

Be ready with a brief (one minute or less) high-level introduction/problem description and a couple of questions, especially if you're like me and ramble when you're nervous. A little preparation is good because psychiatrists usually spare only about 5 minutes. It's not as important to explain the details of your case as to use the time to hear the doctor's style and manner. The question that was most useful to me in this process was, "Can you help someone with this problem/what would be your approach?"

[purpleToes]

I forgot to say, I don't think there are many psychiatrists who specialize in adultADHD. I was suggested to look for one who treats children and adolescents, as they'd likely have more experience with ADHD. If they've been in practice long enough, maybe they've also continued treating some of those kids into adulthood.