how much time and money does it usually take to get prescription?

[InattenProficit]

I think that I am a textbook case of high functioning adult-diagnosed ADHD. Never could concentrate well, but did well in school and college because it was intellectually easy stuff. Now, I need to put a handle on the problem in order to do the work (I am a programmer) and complete projects on time. It's a hard thing to do when often being spaced out and getting nothing done for several days in a row...

So, I was wondering, if I show up in psychiatrist's office tomorrow, how long and how expensive will it take until I get the prescription of ritalin/adderall/any ADHD other stimulant and how much time/money will I need to spend later on to keep it up? I don't have insurance, but I don't mind paying cash, after all I lose more on being unproductive then the likely cost of the medicine and the doctor. But what should/can I expect in terms of "getting it done"? E.g. will the doctor prescribe it on the first meeting? On the second? If he doesn't prescribe, can I just immediately quit and go to another? If there is a lot of variation between doctors' behaviors, what should I be on the look-out for? What bad things could the wrong/"malicious" doctor do to me?

[ADHDTigger]

It is impossible to estimate what your doc will do or not do. Optimally, he will take a family history and probably give you any of a number of tests. He may agree that ADHD is the foundation of your problems or not. If he has any understanding in the ADHD space, he is more likely to pick it up than if he doesn't.

Generic Adderall, especially if you don't have insurance, is a pretty common starting point. Expecting a miracle from the meds, however, is really not a good direction to think in. The pills will not be the whole answer but instead, a part of the answer. Until you get that far, it is impossible to know what the med will and won't do.

Try using 211 or First Call For Help in your area. It is a resource line that should be able to direct you to low cost providers in your area that will work with you on sliding scale, depending on how you qualify. Ask for ADHD resources specifically and you are likely to get better direction.

Bad docs are everywhere- a sad fact of life. If you don't think you are being heard, you might want to decide if that doc is really doing anything for you. Interviewing the doc so that you know if that doc even knows what ADHD is, is a good step.

[squeekybrain]

My experience was I had a prescription on the way out from the psychiatrist's office. The visit was a few hundred bucks and follow up visits were 90. Depending on the dr, you will have to go frequently because of the DEA (or whatever it's called now) rules and restrictions on these classes of drugs. good luck! I'm in the same field and the same problem drove me to seek help late in life myself.

[trishcan]

It's pretty much impossible to give you a timeline, because it varies so drastically among doctors and practices.

Assuming you call and schedule an appointment, then maybe you'd get in to see someone in about a week or so. When you show up for the appointment, a responsible doctor will generally use that time to get an idea of your symptoms and what you're hoping for in terms of treatment.

Most doctors would avoid diagnosing you at the first visit, because they just don't have enough information to make that sort of call without some background information and generally a number of assessments. They would want to rule out any other conditions with similar symptoms and often like to speak to a family member or friend who can describe your behavior, in addition to your own testimonial.

Some doctors do make on-the-spot diagnoses, but most medical professionals would consider that questionable.

The first visit can cost a couple hundred dollars if you are seeing a psychiatrist. The price could be less if you visit a general practioner, but they might refer you to a psychiatrist for testing. They might not.

Assuming you are diagnosed with ad/hd, then the doctor may suggest medication. Stimulants are generally a first-line approach in treatment, but some doctors choose to try other options first.

There are just way too many variables here
-How long it takes to get an appointment
-How many appointments before a diagnosis
-The price of appointments and testing
-The doctor's own knowledge of ad/hd
-The doctors philosophy about medication (and stimulants, specifically)

Without insurance, the costs for medications can range from zero (with some type of assistance program) to five or six hundred dollars per month. This depends on the medication, dosage, available generics, even the pharmacy you choose.

If all of that was too long to read, basically just know that it's totally impossible to even venture a guess as to time and money, but if you feel this is a necessary endeavor, get started and try to avoid cutting corners. An accurate diagnosis, knowledgable doctor, and effective treatment are much more important than a quick diagnosis, sketchy doctor, and cheap medication.